Latest Volunteer Opportunities

Heritage Information Volunteer 

This volunteer is needed in the Pittsburgh office on Washington’s Landing any time of year. Come work with our Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program Information Management staff and learn more about how species and habitat conservation works in Pennsylvania.  This is a clerical position that deals with scientific information about plants, animals, and communities of concern in the state. Volunteers can receive GIS software training and SQL training from the associate information manager if they choose. Openings are available for short and long-term volunteers. Those able to commit to a few hours each week for an extended period of time are especially needed.

For more information, Contact Kierstin Carlson at 412-586-2314 or email kcarlson@paconserve.org

Project Pull-out:

Completing the Garden Cycle

We are coming full circle with the gardens—they have flourished after a long season of growth and now it’s time to put them to bed for the winter. Please help us clean up the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy community gardens by joining in Project Pull-out!

Project Pull-out is the removal of plant material, plastic, and debris from garden beds. Volunteers pull out all annual (one season lifespan) plants and other materials in the garden. This debris is collected in biodegradable or garbage bags for recycling or disposal. The garden is raked over to make it uniform and orderly until the planting in 2009. No experience needed!

The pull out usually takes about 2-3 hours, and it happens almosy every day in October.

If you have questions or want more information about volunteer opportunities, contact Lynn McGuire-Olzak, Volunteer Coordinator, at 412-586-2324.

Thank you for completing the garden cycle!

There are many opportunities for individuals and companies to support the mission of Western Pennsylvania Conservancy:

Community Garden Volunteers

Plant a Garden

This is a great way to volunteer for a day with your family, friends or neighbors to plant a WPC community garden. Gardens are located throughout the region and are planted beginning the first week of May through early June. For a listing of garden planting dates, click here.  Wear sneakers and jeans, and we will supply the garden tools. In addition, each October, WPC needs volunteers to help with fall cleanup and site preparation for next year's planting. WPC has more than 140 garden projects for volunteers with different levels of skill, time commitments and responsibilities.

For more information

Lynn McGuire-Olzak
Volunteer Coordinator
412-586-2324
lmcguire-olzak@paconserve.org.

Garden Stewards

Volunteers are responsible for the overall appearance and care of a WPC garden site. Garden Stewards work closely with WPC staff to coordinate the May planting, as well as perform weekly watering, weeding and upkeep. Gardens are located in neighborhoods, along highway corridors and at intersections. If you like to garden and enjoy spending time with other enthusiastic local gardeners, this program is for you!

For more information

Lynn McGuire-Olzak
Volunteer Coordinator
412-586-2324
lmcguire-olzak@paconserve.org

Land Steward

In the warm months, typically May through October, WPC has frequent work projects occurring on WPC properties throughout western Pennsylvania, from Erie to Fayette. Typical projects include removing invasive plants, repairing a trail, marking a property boundary, or cleaning up an illegal dump. Volunteers are always welcome at these events, as many hands make for light work.

Although we call these events “work days,” they are informal and offer a chance to socialize with other conservation-minded people, as well as an opportunity to explore and learn about the ecology of the preserve where the work project is occurring. Applicants will be added to email and phone lists providing updates regarding the time and location of these events.

WPC occasionally has the opportunity to assign volunteers to steward a specific property, where they take on increased monitoring responsibilities. Volunteers need to commit to visiting a property a certain number of times per year, and must provide monitoring reports, maps, and pictures to document these visits. Openings for property-specific assignments are made only as available, and we cannot guarantee that all applicants will be assigned to a specific property. We typically tap volunteers who have shown a strong commitment to the program by volunteering at our work days, and look for good fits between a volunteer’s interests and skills and the needs of the properties.

For more information

Andrew Zadnik
Easement and Land Stewardship Coordinator
azadnik@paconserve.org
412-586-2318

Volunteer at Falling Water

There are many opportunities you can volunteer at FallingWater.  For information on volunteer opportunities, call Jennifer Hiebert at 724-329-1441, ext. 1204 or email her at jhiebert@paconserve.org, or visit the FallingWater Volunteering Opportunities page.

Clerical/Office Work

This important volunteer is needed at both the WPC office in downtown Pittsburgh and at Fallingwater. Work with our staff to learn about our membership and conservation efforts.

For more information

Contact (412) 288-2777

Photographer

Are you a shutterbug? You can use your hobby as a way to volunteer! Photographers are needed at outings, special events, and garden planting. All film and processing provided by WPC. Volunteers are asked to use their own camera equipment. (35mm preferred).

For more information

Contact J. Rowley at 412-586-2372 or email jrowley@paconserve.org.

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy considers applicants and volunteers without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, sexual preference, disability, marital status or veteran status.