Many volunteers are involved in Swan Ecosystem Center activities and contribute significantly to the success of SEC programs. Volunteers serve on committees, help with education program, and participate in monitoring activities that integrate scholarship with local knowledge and create opportunities for interaction among agencies, industry, universities and the public.
Volunteers contribute thousands of hours of labor annually. Since 2001, 25,000 hours have been donated. In 2009, donated time totaled 3,937 hours, including volunteers assisting the backcountry rangers. Many of the grants SEC receives require in-kind matches and these volunteer hours can be used toward these matches. Check out the volunteer opportunities below to help with a project and have fun too!
2011 Volunteer Opportunities
Celebrate the Swan Footrace
Event Planning
Event Day - Registration, timekeepers, etc.
Clean-Up Day
Participation in roadside clean-up, plus "spring cleaning" of the grounds and parking areas. SEC schedules in mid-May each year.
Education
After School Club - adult supervision
Planning Committee
School Field Trips - assistance
Stream Monitoring - assistance
Workshops for adults participation
Forest Stewardship
Field Tours - participation
Fundraiser
Event Planning
Event Day - assistance
Finding donors/sponsors
Swan Ecosystem Center Trails
Revamp trails and review self-guiding pamphlets
Trail maintenance
Interpretative Exhibits - uncovered/covered per the season
Water Quality
Event Planning
Event Day - assistance
Field Tours - participation
Water Quality Monitoring - assistance
Weeds
Hawkweed and new invasive plants mapping (put a mark on a map.)
Wildlife
Neighborhood contact (Swan Valley Bear Resources)
Bear Wake-Up Social - event assistance (spring)
Bear Fair - event assistance (summer)
Bird Counts - participation
Visitor Center
Regular maintenance, greenery replacement
Visitor Services
Assistance during summer "busy" season, after training.
