Call for Volunteers: Force of Nature
Make a volunteer commitment with Natural Lands
MEDIA, Pa., November 21, 2022 – Natural Lands announced today it is accepting applications for its 2023 Force of Nature® volunteer training program. This program prepares participants to give back through fulfilling and impactful opportunities, in partnership with the land conservation non-profit and its robust community of dedicated volunteers.
“Nearly 70 years ago, a group of volunteers who were passionate about the Philadelphia region’s open space founded Natural Lands,” said Oliver Bass, president of Natural Lands. “Today, Natural Lands’ volunteers play a vital role in continuing our founders’ work at our locations across eastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey. Their energy and commitment have been inspiring.”
Added Debbie Beer, director of volunteer engagement, “More than a decade ago, Natural Lands held the first volunteer training class. Since then, volunteer activity has grown exponentially, with enthusiastic supporters that generously share their time and talents. Our volunteers are crucial to our organization’s mission, building deep connections to Natural Lands and to each other.”
Ed Cunicelli Photographer Inc
The Force of Nature program offers volunteers the chance to learn land stewardship techniques, conservation strategies, community science, and community outreach support that can be put into practice across the organization’s vast network of nature preserves. Volunteers attend a series of training sessions ranging from the importance of native plants to our local ecosystem, to tree planting tips, to wildlife management.
Natural Lands is committed to diversity and inclusion in all its work, and strongly encourages BIPOC candidates and LGBTQ+ candidates to apply.
Force of Nature volunteer program:
- Trainees participate in a comprehensive, hands-on training and service experience conducted by Natural Lands staff experts. Following training, volunteers commit to giving back a minimum of 20 hours per year to Natural Lands.
- Training covers a variety of land management, habitat restoration, native plant gardening, event support, outreach, and ambassadorship topics.
- Training runs February 25 through April 29, 2023. Nine total sessions will be held on Saturday mornings and Thursday evenings, at various Natural Lands locations or via Zoom.
- Application deadline for this highly competitive program is December 20, 2022. Selected candidates will be contacted to schedule an interview.
- More information and application: natlands.org/forceofnature
Photo by Debbie Beer
Force of Nature volunteer Carol Dailey has applied her new-found skills to her own yard.
“I’ve tackled projects at my house that I never would have had the courage or knowledge to do before Force of Nature. It’s so cool to me how, by just planting native species, I can increase ecological biodiversity in my own back yard.” She added, “Natural Lands is something that will always be a part of my life and I’ll be a volunteer forever. I love it.”
Apply today!
Natural Lands is dedicated to preserving and nurturing nature’s wonders while creating opportunities for joy and discovery in the outdoors for everyone. As the Greater Philadelphia region’s oldest and largest land conservation organization, Natural Lands—which is member supported—has preserved more than 125,000 acres, including 42 nature preserves and Stoneleigh: a natural garden, totaling more than 23,000 acres. Nearly five million people live within five miles of land under the organization’s protection. Land for life, nature for all. natlands.org.
Please note: “Natural Lands” is the organization’s official operating name and should be used instead of its legal designation (Natural Lands Trust, Inc.).
Media Inquiries:
Kit Werner, Senior Director of Communications
610-353-5587 ext 267
kwerner@natlands.org