Volunteers

Horticulture VolunteersWe can’t do our work without our volunteers! Litzsinger Road Ecology Center relies on volunteers to help improve our grounds and provide meaningful educational experiences for thousands of children each year.

We depend upon two groups of volunteers—Volunteer Educators and Horticulture Volunteers:

  • Volunteer Educators are trained to lead small groups of students in ecological inquiry at the Litzsinger Road Ecology Center.
  • Horticulture Volunteers assist the site’s staff with with ecosystem restoration.

In addition to training in horticulture, ecology, and outdoor teaching methods, enrichment programs covering a range of topics are offered regularly to our volunteers.

Volunteer Educators

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Lead small groups of school children in ecological investigations and explorations of the natural world
  • Facilitate outdoor learning activities designed by teachers that support their curriculum
  • Weekly availability for 2–3 hours at a time (Monday–Friday, daytime)

Qualifications and Experience

  • Enjoy working with children in an outdoor setting in all kinds of weather
  • Embrace the opportunity to shape educational experiences based on changing conditions
  • Comfortable leading 4 or 5 children
  • Ability to walk unpaved paths in variable weather conditions
  • Love for and curiosity about the natural world

Horticulture Volunteers

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Work with staff to maintain and develop native ecosystems:
    • Remove invasive plants
    • Propagate and plant native species
    • Collect and clean seeds
  • Assist with other minor projects to improve safety and accessibility of the site
  • Weekly availability on Tuesday or Friday from 9 a.m.–12 p.m.

Qualifications and Experience

  • Enjoy working with adults in an outdoor setting in all kinds of weather
  • Open to the challenges of maintaining an ecology center
  • Ability to do yardwork-level projects
  • Love for and curiosity about the natural world

Contact Susan Baron at (314) 691-2628 or susan.baron@mobot.org for information on becoming a volunteer or to schedule an initial visit.

Volunteer Educator with teachers and students