Volunteer trail work day at North Fork Preserve in Bridgewater.
Editor’s Note: Due to inclement weather, our January VolunTuesday projects have been pushed back by one week. The dates below have been updated to reflect this change.
By Thomas Patti, Communications Coordinator
On December 5, the United Nations recognized its 38th annual International Volunteer Day. Also on December 5, Wildlands Trust embarked on a volunteer initiative of its own. But whereas the UN grants volunteerism a day of the year, we’re giving it a day of the week.
This fall and winter, the power of volunteerism was on full display when dozens of local nature appreciators joined Wildlands staff for a trail-building project at North Fork Preserve in Bridgewater. As those Tuesday work days (temporarily) drew to a close, we couldn’t help but wonder: why can’t every Tuesday be as volunteer-ific as these?
“We were so humbled by the turnout and enthusiasm of our friends and neighbors at North Fork,” said Stewardship Programs Manager Zoë Smiarowski. “We realized there was a lot of momentum and energy behind these weekly opportunities and wanted to continue convening our community beyond this project.”
Volunteer gardening day on December 12, 2023, at Davis-Douglas Farm in Plymouth.
Enter VolunTuesdays, Wildlands’ new series of weekly volunteer projects intended to boost our land stewardship efforts and, even more importantly, build a community of natural guardians throughout Southeastern Massachusetts. Occurring every Tuesday from 10 am to 1 pm at a different Wildlands preserve, VolunTuesdays train volunteers in trail-building, gardening, amenity repairs, and more—all while leaving plenty of time before and after the hard work to share stories and laughs over coffee and snacks.
Fittingly, our first two efforts to germinate the seed of a weekly volunteer day took place in the garden. On December 5, our first official VolunTuesday saw pioneering volunteers help Wildlands staff restore the garden at Great River Preserve in Bridgewater. The following week, volunteers joined us at Davis-Douglas Farm in Plymouth to get the Community Garden ready for winter.
“Our VolunTuesday projects have been a huge success so far,” Zoë added. “Already, volunteers have made a real impact on our stewardship capacity. But beyond that practical value, building relationships between our organization, the communities we serve, and their natural resources promotes the reciprocity that land stewardship depends on. We hope these opportunities continue to engage our communities for the benefit of our region.”
Volunteer gardening day on December 12, 2023, at Davis-Douglas Farm in Plymouth.
Designed to be flexible, hassle-free, and welcoming to all, VolunTuesdays are drop-in style, meaning volunteers can come and go as they please within the timeframe of the program. No registration or experience is required—just bring work- and weather-appropriate clothing and a can-do attitude!
After a short break caused by inclement weather and the holiday season, VolunTuesdays are back! Join us on Tuesday, January 23, at Great Neck Preserve in Wareham to re-route a section of trail. On January 30, help us repair the boardwalk at Willow Brook Farm in Pembroke. Stay up to date on the latest volunteer opportunities at wildlandstrust.org/volunteer.
To our volunteers: thank you for the time, knowledge, dedication, and joy you bring to Wildlands. See you on Tuesday!
Volunteer Trail Work day at North Fork Preserve in Bridgewater.