- This event has passed.
Volunteer – MLK Day for Nature at ChesLen – CANCELLED
January 15, 2024 | 9:00 am - 11:30 am
This event is cancelled due to frigid weather conditions. Please join us at a future event.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day commemorates the civil rights leader’s life and legacy, and is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities.
Sign-up and join fellow volunteers in removing invasive plant species, nurturing native plants, and restoring habitats. Projects vary, but good fun (and dirt) is guaranteed! Natural Lands cares for more than 23,000 acres and 120 miles of trails, and we couldn’t do it without volunteers like you.
Volunteering with Natural Lands is a great way to learn more about the natural world, give your time to a great cause, and connect with enthusiastic, like-minded people.
The health and safety of staff and volunteers is our highest priority during this outdoor volunteer event. Please review “before you go” details.
Capacity is limited for this small-group event, and pre-registration is required. If you sign-up, please plan to participate. If you need to cancel, please let us know so another volunteer can attend. All are welcome, ages 12 and up. Minors under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult parent/guardian. Adult(s) and the Minor(s) for whom they are responsible, should register in the same transaction.
ChesLen Preserve is the largest privately owned nature preserve open to the public in Chester County. Miles of marked hiking trails lead visitors through shady woodlands, flower-filled meadows, farm fields, and stream valleys.
Visitors can also explore Ollie Owl’s NaturePlayGround, where young explorers can climb logs, build stick tee-pees, hunt for bugs, explore small streams, and get a little dirty, tired, and inspired. Free play is encouraged and is a great way for kids to gain an appreciation for nature.
What to expect:
- Dress for the season and wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes to trek uneven terrain.
- Wear long pants and long sleeved shirt to protect against thorns, brambles and insects.
- Poison ivy is present; leaders will point it out.
- Ticks and bugs are possible, bugspray recommended.
- Plan to get dirty, and have fun!
- Sorry, dogs are not permitted at this event.
What to bring:
- Bring your own work gloves.
- Bring long-handled loppers and/or small hand pruners, if you have them (tools will also be available on-site).
- Bring a large, FULL water bottle to stay hydrated. You may wish to bring a trail snack, too.
Please help us all stay safe:
- If you are sick or feeling unwell, please stay home.
- Masking is optional. Participants may choose to mask at any time.
Registration
This event is filled to capacity. Please join us at another MLK Day event.
Event is free. Please pre-register by using the secure form below. By registering online, you are electronically signing our Volunteer Waiver (read in full at the bottom of this webpage). Questions? Contact Debbie Beer (she/her/hers).
Cancellation:
Events may be cancelled due to inclement weather or low registration. In that case, we will make every effort to update our website and contact registrants. Note that we cannot offer refunds of paid registrations or ticket purchases, but rest assured that your donation will help us in our work to save open space, care for nature, and connect people to the outdoors.
Communication:
Natural Lands (and our co-host if applicable) will use the email address you provided here to let you know details about this event and to keep you up-to-date on other news and happenings. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Photography policy:
Attendance at Natural Lands programs and events constitutes consent to be photographed for use in print and electronic media. Images will not be identified using full names without written approval from the individual. Please notify Natural Lands staff if you would prefer that your photo not be used.
Participant Waiver:
By registering for this event, I, as the participant, and/or parent or legal guardian of a minor participant, do hereby understand and acknowledge that by participating, in this, or any, Natural Lands’ event or activity, I am agreeing to indemnify and hold harmless Natural Lands, their respective administrators, directors, agents, officers, members, volunteers, employees, other participants, any sponsors, advertisers, and, if applicable, owners and lessors of premises on which the Activity takes place, (each considered one of the “RELEASEES” herein).
I further acknowledge, agree, and represent that I understand the nature of the Program and related Activities and my and/or the Minor’s experience and capabilities, and believe that I and/or the minor are qualified, in good health, and in proper physical condition to participate in such activity. I willingly agree to comply with the stated and customary terms and conditions of participation.
I fully understand that: (a) the Program and related Activities involve risks and dangers of damage to personal property and serious bodily injury, including permanent disability, paralysis, and death (“risks”); (b) these Risks and dangers may be caused by my and/or the Minor’s own actions or inactions, the actions or inactions of others participating in the Activity, the condition in which the Activity takes place, or the negligence of the “releasees” as aforementioned; (c) there may be other risks and social and economic losses either not known to me or not readily foreseeable at this time; and I fully accept and assume all such risks and all responsibility for losses, costs, and damages I and/or the minor incur as a result of my participation or that of the Minor in the Activity.
I hereby release, discharge, and covenant not to sue Natural Lands or any of their “releasees” from all liability, claims, demands, losses, injuries, damage to property, or other damages on my and/or the minor’s account caused or alleged to be caused in whole or in part by the negligence of the “releasees” or otherwise, including negligent rescue operations; and I further agree that if, despite this release and waiver of liability, assumption of risk, and indemnity agreement I, the Minor, or anyone on the Minor’s behalf makes a claim against any of the Releasees, I will indemnify, save, and hold harmless each of the releasees from any litigation expenses, attorney fees, loss, liability, damage, or cost which any may incur as the result of such claim.
I have read this Agreement, fully understand its terms, understand that I have given up substantial rights by registering for this event, and have done so freely and without any inducement or assurance of any nature and intend it to be a complete and unconditional release of all liability to the greatest extent allowed by law and agree that if any portion of this agreement is held to be invalid, the balance, notwithstanding, shall continue in full force and effect.
