Volunteers

There are three subcategories for this position, each having their own specific schedules. What the three positions do have in common is that they require the ability to stand, be outdoors, and walk up to a couple of miles on the Oxley trails. Training for all three includes attending an orientation followed by a one-day training. Other training requirements are listed below. For all of these positions, the more familiar a volunteer can become with the trails, inhabitants, and patterns at Oxley, the better.

Field Trip Guides work on weekday mornings leading groups from local and regional elementary, middle, and sometimes high schools. Ideally, groups are no larger than 6-9 people each. Field Trip Guides will be trained to lead the General Discovery Tour, Riddle of the Woods, and the Pathfinder Tour, and must shadow an experienced guide through each of these programs before leading one on their own.

Guides for the Full Moon Walks will lead small groups of all ages on monthly night hikes through the forests, prairie, and wetlands of Oxley. Trainees will shadow an experienced guide on 1-2 night hikes before leading their own groups.

This position is for Volunteer Naturalists who are available to serve during daytime hours on the weekends. From a station near the parking lot they will greet and help orient visitors, suggest hikes, and provide information on trails and wildlife activity. Training involves shadowing experienced volunteers on a busy weekend day.

Visitor Center Hosts are stationed at the front desk of the Interpretive Center. Sitting at the front desk or staying near the front door and phone, they are the hospitality experts who make each person who visits the Nature Center feel welcome. They greet visitors, hand out trail maps, suggest hiking routes if asked, answer the phone, keep a visitor tally, handle gift shop sales, and may assist with clerical or custodial chores during any lulls. After attending a volunteer orientation and one-day training, Visitor Center Hosts will receive on the job training that cover front desk routines and procedures along with how to process gift shop sales.

Trail maintenance is essential to keeping Oxley beautiful and healthy. This is outdoor, physical work, that includes activities like brush removal, weed-eating, picking up litter, invasive species removal, and possibly assisting with construction projects. Your contributions may be based on your specific set of skills, knowledge, and experience. Training includes attending an orientation, a one-day new volunteer training, and on the job training after that. Schedules are flexible and based on availability and the Trail Crew will be invited to participate in monthly Saturday workdays.