Preserve Steward, Smith Conservation Land, Littleton, Massachusetts

Volunteer Position Description The Preserve Steward will perform general monitoring and basic trail maintenance at SVT's Smith Conservation Land in Littleton, Massachusetts. Responsibilities: Walk trails and look for and note problems with trail passage, vandalism, illegal uses, etc. (For properties without trails, walk roadside and property perimeter.) Inform staff through visitation reports when trail mowing is needed. Perform basic trail maintenance such as cutting back brush and tree limbs. Look for indications of any informal trails that are developing or in use, and attempt to cover them over so they aren't apparent to new visitors. Remove trash and debris from parking area, trails, and roadside. Maintain trail signage. (Staff assistance provided as needed.) Monitor the condition of the postings in the kiosk and refresh when needed. (Staff assistance provided as needed.) Keep map brochures stocked in the kiosk map box. Monitor property boundaries annually during spring and fall. Check for encroachments. Submit visitation reports on the SVT website's stewardship volunteer log. Optional Responsibilities: Communicate with visitors about rules, especially regarding dog walking. Assist staff with field work, which may include invasive species control, property surveys, boundary signage, trail maintenance, inventories, etc. Observe wildlife and changes in plant communities. Document plant and animal sightings. Volunteer Qualifications: Willing to "adopt" the property and gain a thorough knowledge and appreciation of it. Able to visit property bi-weekly throughout the year. Able to trim vegetation along the trails regularly in the growing season. Enjoyment of the outdoors and commitment to conservation. Training/Orientation Provided: An individual orientation and training session will be provided to introduce the volunteer to the property and its associated responsibilities. Time commitment (hours, dates, duration): Variable (2 – 10 hours/month). Can be flexible to your schedule.