Opportunity Search Results

Description

2025 Bird Nest Box Monitor | Middle Patuxent Environmental Area | Ongoing Opportunity | Ages 18+

The Middle Patuxent Environmental Area (MPEA) currently maintains a total of 24 nest boxes to support Eastern Bluebirds and other native cavity nesting species, as well as to collect bird breeding behavior data. The MPEA Bird Nest Box Monitor volunteers will independently visit between 9-13 assigned bird nest boxes a minimum of once per week to record observed breeding behavior, will perform light maintenance on the nest boxes (including cleaning, minor repairs, and trimming of surrounding vegetation), and submit a year-end summary.

A phone interview will be required for any prospective volunteers.

Job Description:
To provide nest boxes to support Eastern Bluebirds and other native cavity nesting species, and to collect bird breeding behavior data.

Duties:
- Visit assigned bird nest boxes a minimum of once per week and record observed breeding behavior;
- Perform light maintenance on nest boxes (including cleaning, minor repairs, and trimming of surrounding vegetation);
- Complete nest box inspection records;
- Submit year-end summary.

Qualifications:
- Ability to work outdoors alone and walk approximately 1 mile per visit
- Rudimentary bird identification skills
- Ability to keep records
- Familiarity with utilizing online resources
- Ability and willingness to bushwhack through tall vegetation

Training:
- Onsite training and relevant supplies will be provided.

Location:
Assigned nest boxes within the MPEA.

Time Commitment:
- Minimum of 1 hour per week, 2 hours per week preferred during nesting season (mid-April to early-July); all hours must be reported.

Requirements

Minimum age: 18

Description

2025 Butterfly Survey Volunteer | Middle Patuxent Environmental Area | Ongoing Opportunity, April-October | Ages 18+

The Middle Patuxent Environmental Area (MPEA) seeks volunteers to assist with independent surveys of butterflies found within it's borders. Volunteers will keep of a tally of each individual butterfly of each species they observe and identify during survey sessions, and report findings to MPEA staff.

A phone interview and onsite training will be required for any prospective volunteers.

Job Description:
To assist Middle Patuxent Environmental Area staff with the ongoing Howard County Butterfly Survey within the MPEA.

Job Duties:
- Walk selected areas of the MPEA while observing, identifying, and recording butterfly species;
- Maintain accurate tally sheets and photographic records as needed;
- Report findings on designated forms.

Qualifications:
- Ability to walk one or more miles per survey session on primitive trails, and potentially bushwhack through tall grasses;
- Ability to work alone;
- Record-keeping, computer use, and organizational skills;
- Rudimentary butterfly identification skills and ability to follow identification guides;
- Ability to take photos;
- Possession of binoculars and/or a zoom-lens camera is recommended.

Training:
- Onsite training provided as needed.

Location:
Middle Patuxent Environmental Area

Time Commitment:
- Minimum 1 hour per two weeks (April-October). All hours must be reported.

Requirements

Minimum age: 18

Description

2025 MPEA Conservation Stewardship Project: 03/25 Perennial Pollinator Planting | Middle Patuxent Environmental Area | Mar 25, 2025 | 9am - 11:30am | Ages 18+ (or 13-17 with a guardian present)

Removing invasive exotic plants, while a crucial step, is only one component of habitat restoration. As such, on this day we will visit a site already cleared of invasive plants and install native flowering perennials that will benefit the local ecosystem.

Job Duties:
- Prepare for (clearing, digging, etc.) and plant native flowering perennials for wildlife habitat

Notes:
- Training, tools, and supplies will be provided
- Precautions for the ticks, poison ivy, & stinging insects that may be encountered should also be taken
- This event may be cancelled in the case of adverse weather conditions (such as moderate to heavy precipitation, high winds, or lightning)
- Inclement weather date: April 1, 2025

Please Bring/Wear:
- Drinking water
- Snacks, if desired
- Work gloves
- Long pants
- Sturdy, closed-toe shoes
- Eye protection (recommended)
- Appropriate clothing for the weather, including sun protection

Requirements

Minimum age: 13

Description

2025 MPEA Conservation Stewardship Project: Invasive Plant Removal & Spring Flower Watching I | Middle Patuxent Environmental Area | Apr 8, 2025 | 9:00am - 11:30am | Ages 18+ (or 13-17 with a guardian present)

Garlic Mustard is a tenacious herbaceous plant that may chemically alter the soil, rendering it less suitable for many native plants and fungi. Volunteers help pull this invader each March and April with the goal of maintaining previously cleared patches, as well as finding and removing any new satellite invasions.

In addition, a significant amount of Wineberry is present in the area. Wineberry is a spiny, rapidly growing shrub which can form vast thickets and has required the implementation of a variety of control methods over several years: volunteers'' control methods will involve digging or hand-pulling these invasive shrubs.

While a significant amount of time will be spent dealing with these two invaders, we will also search for and identify many species of spring ephemeral flowers. With luck, our trip will coincide with the annual blooms of gorgeous Virginia Bluebells near the river. Plan on spending the first half of the morning removing invasive species and the latter half finding native wildflowers.

Job Duties:
- Hand-pull and bag (to prevent seeding) invasive Garlic Mustard plants
- Dig and hand-pull Wineberry shrubs
- Observe and learn about native spring ephemeral wildflowers, while removing any incidental invasive species

Notes:
- Training, plant removal tools, and supplies will be provided
- Precautions for the thorns, ticks, poison ivy, & stinging insects that may be encountered should also be taken
- This event may be cancelled in the case of adverse weather conditions (such as moderate to heavy precipitation, high winds, or lightning)
- Inclement weather date: April 15, 2025

Please Bring/Wear:
- Drinking water
- Snacks, if desired
- Work gloves
- Long pants
- Sturdy, closed-toe shoes
- Appropriate clothing for the weather

Additional info:

- Minimum age 18 (or 13-17 with a guardian present)
- Weather may cause us to cancel BUT we may reschedule.

Requirements

Minimum age: 13

Description

2025 MPEA Conservation Stewardship Project: Invasive Plant Removal & Spring Flower Watching II | Middle Patuxent Environmental Area | Apr 22, 2025 | 9:00am - 11:30am | Ages 18+ (or 13-17 with a guardian present)

Garlic Mustard is a tenacious herbaceous plant that may chemically alter the soil, rendering it less suitable for many native plants and fungi. Volunteers help pull this invader each March and April with the goal of maintaining previously cleared patches, as well as finding and removing any new satellite invasions.

In addition, a significant amount of Wineberry is present in the area. Wineberry is a spiny, rapidly growing shrub which can form vast thickets and has required the implementation of a variety of control methods over several years: volunteers' control methods will involve digging or hand-pulling these invasive shrubs.

While a significant amount of time will be spent dealing with these two invaders, we will also search for and identify many species of spring ephemeral flowers. With luck, our trip will coincide with the annual blooms of gorgeous Virginia Bluebells near the river. Plan on spending the first half of the morning removing invasive species and the latter half finding native wildflowers.

Job Duties:
- Hand-pull and bag (to prevent seeding) invasive Garlic Mustard plants
- Dig and hand-pull Wineberry shrubs
- Observe and learn about native spring ephemeral wildflowers, while removing any incidental invasive species

Notes:
- Training, plant removal tools, and supplies will be provided
- Precautions for the thorns, ticks, poison ivy, & stinging insects that may be encountered should also be taken
- This event may be cancelled in the case of adverse weather conditions (such as moderate to heavy precipitation, high winds, or lightning)
- There is no make up date

Please Bring/Wear:
- Drinking water
- Snacks, if desired
- Work gloves
- Long pants
- Sturdy, closed-toe shoes
- Appropriate clothing for the weather

Additional info:

- Minimum age 18 (or 13-17 with a guardian present)
- Weather may cause us to cancel BUT we may reschedule.

Requirements

Minimum age: 13

Description

2025 MPEA Conservation Stewardship Project: Shelter Clearing | Middle Patuxent Environmental Area | May 10, 2025 | 9:00am - 11:30am | Ages 18+ (or 13-17 with a guardian present)

Non-native, invasive plants pose a continuing threat to our habitat restoration efforts, particularly within areas hosting native trees & shrubs planted and sheltered by staff and volunteers. On these days, we'll remove vines and vinelike plants from some of these areas, freeing our young trees & shrubs from the threat of smothering. If time, weather, and site conditions permit, we'll also install additional native plants in select areas.

Job Duties:
- Hand-pull, dig, and (if necessary) bag Mile-a-Minute, Japanese Honeysuckle, and any other non-native invasive species found

Notes:
- Training, tools, and supplies will be provided
- Precautions for the ticks, poison ivy, & stinging insects that may be encountered should also be taken
- This event may be cancelled in the case of adverse weather conditions (such as moderate to heavy precipitation, high winds, or lightning)
- There is no inclement weather date

Please Bring/Wear:
- Drinking water
- Snacks, if desired
- Work gloves
- Long pants
- Sturdy, closed-toe shoes
- Eye protection (recommended)
- Appropriate clothing for the weather, including sun protection

Additional info:

- Minimum age 18 (or 13-17 with a guardian present)
- Weather may cause us to cancel. There is no makeup date.

Requirements

Minimum age: 13

Description

2025 MPEA Conservation Stewardship Project: 05/20 Shelter Clearing | Middle Patuxent Environmental Area | May 20, 2025 | 9:00am - 11:30am | Ages 18+ (or 13-17 with a guardian present)

Non-native, invasive plants pose a continuing threat to our habitat restoration efforts, particularly within areas hosting native trees & shrubs planted and sheltered by staff and volunteers. On these days, we''ll remove vines and vinelike plants from some of these areas, freeing our young trees & shrubs from the threat of smothering. If time, weather, and site conditions permit, we''ll also install additional native plants in select areas.

Job Duties:
- Hand-pull, dig, and (if necessary) bag Mile-a-Minute, Japanese Honeysuckle, and any other non-native invasive species found

Notes:
- Training, plant removal tools, and supplies will be provided
- Precautions for the thorns, ticks, poison ivy, & stinging insects that may be encountered should also be taken
- This event may be cancelled in the case of adverse weather conditions (such as moderate to heavy precipitation, high winds, or lightning)
- Inclement weather date: May 27, 2025

Please Bring/Wear:
- Drinking water
- Snacks, if desired
- Work gloves
- Long pants
- Sturdy, closed-toe shoes
- Appropriate clothing for the weather, including sun protection

Additional info:

- Minimum age 18 (or 13-17 with a guardian present)
- Weather may cause us to cancel. There is no makeup date.

Requirements

Minimum age: 13

Description

2025 MPEA Conservation Stewardship Project: Japanese Barberry Removal | Middle Patuxent Environmental Area | Jun 17, 2025 | 9:00am - 11:30am

Japanese Barberry is an abundant foe of the environmental area, and controlling this species requires continued efforts every year. Luckily, this invader is relatively easily uprooted; as such, on this day we will revisit an ever-expanding restoration site to continue digging and hand-pulling these spiny shrubs.

Job Duties:
- Dig or hand-pull invasive Japanese Barberry shrubs

Notes:
- Training, plant removal tools, and supplies will be provided
- Precautions for the thorns, ticks, poison ivy, & stinging insects that may be encountered should also be taken
- This event may be cancelled in the case of adverse weather conditions (such as moderate to heavy precipitation, high winds, or lightning)
- Inclement weather date: June 24, 2025

Please Bring/Wear:
- Drinking water
- Snacks, if desired
- Work gloves
- Long pants
- Sturdy, closed-toe shoes
- Eye protection (recommended)
- Appropriate clothing for the weather, including sun protection

Additional info:

- Minimum age 18 (or 13-17 with a guardian present)
- Weather may cause us to cancel BUT may be scheduled.

Requirements

Minimum age: 13