As a not-for-profit organization, SHADOW operates with a small staff. But keeping your neighborhood nature preserve operating smoothly and available to the public is dependent on additional help from our volunteers. Many hands make light work, as the saying goes!
The Eagle Scouts have long been a provider of great construction projects throughout the preserve. The bog boardwalk platforms and kiosks were built by Eagle Scouts, and the new compost bins in the Native Plant Garden were built by Scouts this winter.
Sometimes we partner with other organizations to get work done. Many of our restoration work parties are done through the Mountaineers, enabling members to meet their mandatory volunteer stewardship requirement while helping us removed unwanted plant species, and planting native trees and shrubs in our restoration sites. Our amphibian monitoring is a partnership with Woodland Park Zoo’s statewide amphibian monitoring program, and volunteers who are trained through the Zoo’s program do monthly surveys for the egg masses, juvenile, and adult frogs and salamanders of several common and threatened native species.
Our Native Plant Garden wouldn’t be what it is today without our Native Plant Garden Steward, Sara Parker started the Natives project in 2020 and continues to maintain and care for the garden. Typical tasks are weeding, mulching paths, and planting. She has plans to enlarge and diversify the plantings, and will be joined soon by another volunteer, Kaitlyn, who will be working on native plant propagation in our little greenhouse. Just imagine what could be accomplished with an extra pair of hands this summer!
THANK YOU ALL VOLUNTEERS PAST AND PRESENT!
Volunteer positions that we have had staffed in the past (and could use again) include:
Office Assistants help SHADOW staff perform office tasks, usually using Microsoft suite, and updating the website using WordPress. (We can train those who don’t already have these skills.)
Education Assistants help lead field trips, tours, and groups in environmental education activities and guided hikes around the preserve. We provide training and talking points if needed.
Event Staff help with SHADOW’s seasonal events, including our neighborhood campfires, Speaker Series, and Frog Frolic.
SHADOW Ambassador/Outreach Volunteers share their love of nature (and SHADOW) by representing the preserve at local farmers markets and other community events in South King County.
Restoration Assistants help to remove invasive weeds, plant native trees and shrubs, and maintain our trails. Opportunities are available most Saturdays from 10am to 2pm.
Fundraising/Grantwriting Assistants help with writing grants and seeking out the funding opportunities that keep SHADOW operating and growing, and open to the public.
Native Bird Monitors visit our marked monitoring locations throughout the preserve, counting any birds heard and/or seen.
Come have a rewarding experience, learn new skills, and be around a beautiful nature preserve. We’d love for you to be a part of SHADOW!
For more information and to apply:
Fill out a volunteer form at www.shadowhabitat.org/volunteer
If you have questions, feel free to email info@shadowhabitat.org or
call 425-432-4914
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