2018 Volunteer Program Guide

Transcription

1 2018 Volunteer Program Guide Volunteers are vital to the success of Teller Wildlife Refuge! Thanks to your donation of time and support, Teller continues to save thousands of dollars annually while completing many important projects. These projects are vital to our mission, and allow us to spend more of our money on other mission programs. * All volunteers must sign up for one or more of the following projects (unless otherwise approved by Teller staff) to complete their hours by August 31, 2018 for walking, fishing or hunting privileges ( season). Volunteer Benefits In addition to the benefit of helping local habitat and conservation education efforts, volunteers will be able to apply for limited recreational opportunities including sightseeing and wildlife viewing walks on Teller. Waterfowl, pheasant and whitetail deer archery hunting opportunities are also available. Teller reserves the right to limit the number of volunteer hunting days offered in a given season, based on hunter demand, wildlife populations, and habitat management needs. Hours Required We have developed the following volunteer hour benefits matrix: Volunteer a minimum of 4 hours on approved project(s) - eligible for a Teller sightseeing/wildlife viewing walk on the main property (which is generally closed to public walking). Contact the office for details. Volunteer a minimum of 8 hours on approved project(s) - eligible for a Teller sightseeing/wildlife viewing walk and eligible to apply for one ½ day waterfowl or pheasant hunting day with two guests. Volunteer a minimum of 16 hours on approved project(s) eligible to attend Teller sightseeing/wildlife viewing walks and eligible to apply for one additional ½ day waterfowl or pheasant hunt day (two ½ days total) with two guests. Volunteer a minimum of 24 hours on approved project(s) volunteers who engage in specific Teller projects utilizing specialized personal skills and equipment, or who exceed 24 hours of volunteer service will be able to apply for limited archery deer hunting blocks. We currently have a list of volunteers who have expressed interest in this program and will be taking new volunteers on a first-come, first-served basis as tasks are identified. 1

2 2018 Volunteer Projects The volunteer program includes a volunteer project schedule for 2018 so that you may schedule in advance volunteer activities at Teller. However, there are also ongoing needs throughout the year that will count toward your hours. You may sign up for the following volunteer projects on a first-come, first-served basis. Volunteers may: Sign up for ongoing projects throughout the year Sign up for projects on the Volunteer Calendar Or a combination of both Ongoing Projects Construction Projects The Slack outhouse needs a new roof and can be worked on at any time. If you have experience with masonry, we would love for you to look at the root cellar at Teller s office. There are cracks in the walls and issues with the foundation. Repair and paint shop siding as needed Repair/replace screens as needed - Slack, Chaffin & Otto s Clean siding, wash windows - Chaffin & Slack Litter Pick Up Litter accumulates from car traffic around Chaffin and Quast Lanes. Litter can be picked up seasonally. Teller Chaffin Garden May through October Volunteers are needed to weed and maintain Tellers ¼ acre Chaffin garden. Teller plans on planting pumpkins and sunflowers this year which will require weekly weeding and garden cleanup in addition to watering. Come help us produce magnum pumpkins which will be offered to local youth in October. Repair Chaffin garden fence Office Yard Maintenance May September Number of volunteers to be determined by need. Hours tracked by volunteer - Teller Office, Slack House, Chaffin House. Our flower beds are in need of weeding throughout the summer. Volunteers can come out on their own on an as-needed basis. 2

3 Table Room Tally and Clean Up May-Sept (depending on wedding schedule), Tuesdays or Wednesdays 2 volunteers. Hours tracked by volunteer. Teller hosts about a dozen weddings per summer at our Slack Barn. Wedding parties have use of folding chairs and tables for up to 200 guests. After weddings, volunteers inventory and inspect plastic tables and chairs for potential damage, and clean, if necessary. Teller Trail Docents Unlimited number of volunteers. Hours tracked by volunteer. Teller Trail (access from Woodside Fishing Access parking lot). The Teller Trail is open to the public for walking, fishing and birding. Despite our efforts, we have had problems with trespassing onto private property, dogs without leashes and vandalism. Because of our small staff, Teller would like volunteers to walk the area to be our eyes and ears. We also have Teller informational sheets to pass out to trail users. The Teller Trail is a beautiful river trail area that you will surely enjoy recreating on while volunteering. Tuesdays with Chuck All Year Chuck Burrier, a longtime volunteer, comes to Teller every Tuesday morning to help with miscellaneous projects. Many times he needs an extra pair of hands. Sign up and you will be contacted on an as-needed basis. Volunteer Project Days Pre-registration is required and will be handled on a first-come, first- served basis for the following projects. Volunteers who sign up as a Project Leader for weekend projects will receive double credit for hours reported (Ex. 4 hour project - Project Leaders will earn 8 hours of volunteer time). Project Leaders will arrange to meet with Teller staff ahead of time to get directions for that project, including tools needed, location, etc Volunteer Calendar Stewardship Day Saturday, April 21 Unlimited number of volunteers. 8:30 am to 12 noon. Contact office for a list of projects and equipment needs, come join us and enjoy a Chili and Corn Bread Lunch after the completion of the morning projects. We hope you can join us! 3

4 Tent Camp Clean Up Tuesday, May 2 6 volunteers. 8 am to 12 noon. Prepare our picnic shelter and surrounding grounds for Spring field trips. Noxious Weed Dig/Bag: Houndstongue Thursday, May 17 Saturday, June 2 Unlimited number of volunteers. 8 am to 12 noon. Locations to be determined. The noxious weed, Houndstongue, consistently pops up on Teller and requires digging (breaking the roots). We have made great headway in the past couple years and need to maintain your efforts! Fence Building and/or Debris Removal Tuesday, May 22 Tuesday, July 12 4 volunteers. 8 am to 12 noon. Locations to be determined. While we have removed tons of debris and miles of abandoned fence from the Teller property, we still have several areas that contain debris and old barbedwire fence that is hazardous to people and wildlife. We will be working on placing new posts and stringing new wire in certain areas. Volunteers will be directed to locations where clean up efforts will take place. Teller Trail Clean Up July TBA 4-8 volunteers. 8 am to 12 noon. Teller Trail. After high water and the subsequent flooding of the Teller Trail, debris removal will be necessary. Willow Exclosures Tuesday, June volunteers Many of our willow exclosures on Spring Creek need to be removed as the expanded growth has been achieved. TnT Programs Thursday, June volunteers. 1 pm to 4 pm. Teller office. The TnT Dinner & Auction is Teller s largest fundraising event of the year. The Thursday before the event includes collating programs, nametags, etc. to be distributed to TnT guests. TnT Set Up Friday, June volunteers. 1 pm to 4 pm. Teller s Slack Barn. 4

5 Set up the Friday before the event includes setting up tables, chairs and tents, putting up lights, signs and displays and anything else that can be done. TnT Set Up Saturday, June volunteers. 10 am to 12 noon. Teller s Slack Barn. Set up the morning of the event includes organizing check-in, setting up centerpieces and displays and anything else that needs to be done. TnT Dinner & Auction Event Assistance Saturday, June 16 8 volunteers. Approximately 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm (time varies according to job position and event schedule). Teller s Slack Barn. Help will be needed the night of the event for parking, check-in, counting pledges, carrying auction items and anything else that needs to be done. The catered meal will be provided at no charge to these volunteers. TnT Clean Up Monday, June volunteers. 10 am to 12 noon. Teller s Slack Barn. The TnT clean up involves taking down tables, tents, chairs, signs and displays and anything else that needs to be done. Duck Blind Clean Up and Dressing Tuesday, August volunteers. 8 am to 12 noon. Teller Main property. Each year, Teller offers duck hunting to volunteer hunters. The hunts take place in established hunting blinds that require annual maintenance including new camouflage netting, cattail cutting and structural repairs. This fun day in the field also gives volunteers a better understanding of the various blind locations. *Note: Each of these volunteer project dates are firm. Should weather preclude the activity or if for any other reason Teller may need to cancel the project, Teller will notify registered volunteers at least 24 hours prior to the day scheduled. Sign Up! Please let Karen know at or Karen@tellerwildlife.org what ongoing and calendar projects you would like to sign up for as soon as possible. We are offering these opportunities to over 300 volunteers, and the projects may fill up fast. THANK YOU in advance! 5