Saturday, February 16, 2008

Stewardship Project Leaders, Barrington Land Conservation Trust

Stewardship Project Leaders, Barrington Land Conservation Trust

With 67 properties on nearly 250 acres, we never run out of stewardship projects! Throughout the year, we host volunteer workdays which are published on the VCRI, Land and Water Partnership and our BLCT website. We work with high school students, property neighbors, scouts, families and community service volunteers to tackle a range of projects. Past projects include litter cleanup, removal of dumped brush and materials, invasive plant removal, trail maintenance and restoration planting. The Trust has tools, first aid kits, insect repellent and supplies for groups up to a dozen including specialized tools such as pole saws and a weed wrench. If you are reliable, enjoy getting a good workout, working with others and being outdoors this might just be your dream job. You can specialize or be a generalist. You can focus on a particular property or section of the community. You can lead a project each month or several times per year. Projects can suit your schedule – weekdays or weekends, mornings or afternoons. The Trust often assists the Town with volunteer projects. We also participate in the BOW Great Day of Service (Columbus Day) and other environmental and outdoor service days. Training is through doing; our volunteer projects will resume in January. Knowledge of basic first aid and a cell phone for emergencies is strongly recommended. For more information, contact Helen Tjader at hhtjader@cox.net or 245-6209.

Monitoring Stewards for Land Trust Properties, Barrington Land Conservation Trust

Monitoring Stewards for Land Trust Properties, Barrington Land Conservation Trust

Do you have a love of your local open spaces and a keen eye? Help us preserve Barrington’s unique local scenic, historic and natural open spaces! Monitoring stewards are needed to help us monitor and report back on our 60 plus conserved properties in Barrington. Twice each year our stewards walk their site to check on its condition. Each visit takes an hour or less and can be done to fit your schedule. A simple checklist report is easy to fill out. No expertise required; no previous experience required. Simply complete it and return it by mail. Some monitoring stewards like to "adopt" their spot to keep trails clear and litter cleaned up - this is welcomed but completely optional. Can you carry a clipboard and pencil? Look at a map and walk around? Maybe you can take a few photos? Maybe you have access to a boat to monitor properties from the waterside? Don't have to be an expert; if you don't know or think we need to take a second look, just let us know. We have some basic materials explaining the process and we'd be happy to walk the site with you the first visit. You should be able to walk in a variety of terrain, wear appropriate outdoor clothing and shoes and bug spray. For more information, contact Helen Tjader at hhtjader@cox.net or 245-6209.

Membership Chair/Board Position, Barrington Land Conservation Trust

Membership Chair/Board Position, Barrington Land Conservation Trust

Are you a “people person” with a passion for the environment? Our Membership Chair is a member of our Board who co-chairs the Membership and Volunteer Committee. This committee develops recruitment, recognition and retention strategies for both members (our donors) and volunteers. To simplify our paperwork, we track membership, volunteer and donation data via computer with the easy-to-learn SalesForce online software. We recruit members via our website and our newsletter. Our current membership program includes two mailings each year, but we plan to include a new member drive and lapsed member mailings into our program this coming year. Our Membership Chair reports to our Board which meets every other month; the committee meets three or four times each year; the timing of the work itself is quite flexible. The Membership Chair works to recruit volunteers and build the capacity of the Membership and Volunteer Committee. Join our membership team now to learn from our current chair who steps down in June. Bring your creativity and communications skills to our growing non-profit! For more information, contact Helen Tjader at hhtjader@cox.net or 245-6209.

Committee Members needed

Committee Members - Start this spring! Barrington Land Conservation Trust

Ready to volunteer for the environment? We are currently expanding the role of our committees and there are still openings on these committees: Finance & Development, Membership and Volunteers, Nominations and Governance, Stewardship. We also welcome potential committee members to learn more about our work by attending one of our Board or Committee meetings posted at our website. Our next Board meeting is Monday, March 17th 7pm at the Barrington Public Library Board Room. (This Board meeting will be dedicated to discussions of our committees’ program planning and upcoming volunteer transitions.) Our volunteers come from many backgrounds. Committees meet approximately three to four times per year. Because we are a growing, all volunteer organization, our volunteers on the board and on committees work together to fill roles that might otherwise be performed by staff. We have a great Board and group of volunteers to help you learn and we always look forward to the ideas and contributions new volunteers bring to our work. For more information, contact Helen Tjader at hhtjader@cox.net or 245-6209.

Saturday, March 29th 10am to Noon – Barrington Land Conservation Trust – “Cut it Out!”

Saturday, March 29th 10am to Noon – Barrington Land Conservation Trust – “Cut it Out!” – Pic-Wil Nature Preserve

We’re not kidding – those invasive plants have gotta go! Come join us for an all out assault on the dastardly denizens of the woods and fields: bittersweet, rugosa rose, burning bush. Try out our ‘weed wrench’ and learn to identify and remove these plants. If time and weather permits, we will also work on other projects: sweeping clear the entrance area, trimming trails, picking up litter.Wear layered outdoor clothing and sturdy gloves. Some tools and black trash bags will be provided. Please bring loppers and a small saw if you have them. Project will be cancelled for steady rain, sleet or a deep layer snow. For more information, please contact Helen Tjader, hhtjader@cox.net Park on Tallwood Drive or at the gated entrance on Washington Road. If you arrive after 10, hike back to the work site on informal trails to center of the middle field (this field is visible from Washington Road.) Use MapQuest for “371 Washington Rd. Barrington RI 02806”

Winter Wonderland Workout MARCH 1 10am-12 noon

Saturday, March 1st 10am to Noon – Barrington Land Conservation Trust –– “Winter Wonderland Workout” - Pic-Wil Nature Preserve

Enjoy the scenic winter beauty of Pic-Will Nature Preserve and get some great exercise at the same time! We will work together to remove some large debris (tires, pallets etc.) left behind by farming activities - hauling it across a large mown field and out to Washington Road. If time and weather permits, we will also work on other projects: sweeping clear the entrance area, trimming trails, picking up litter and tires washed up along this side of Little Mussachuck Creek. Wear layered outdoor clothing and sturdy gloves. Some tools and black trash bags will be provided. Project will be cancelled for steady rain, sleet or a deep layer snow. For more information, please contact Helen Tjader, hhtjader@cox.net Park on Tallwood Drive or at the gated entrance on Washington Road.

If you arrive after 10, hike back to the work site on informal trails to center of the middle field (this field is visible from Washington Road.) Use MapQuest for “371 Washington Rd. Barrington RI 02806”