Since the Forest Society was founded in 1901, volunteer involvement has been a cornerstone to our success as one of the leading conservation organizations in the Northeast. Without volunteers, we would not have the human resources necessary to protect important lands, affect policy change and educate the public on conservation issues. In 2006, volunteers contributed over 7,600 hours to the Forest Society – equivalent to 3.89 full-time staff members!
Listed below are just some of the opportunities available to volunteers. We can tailor jobs to fit your skills and time-constraints. Training is provided when necessary. Most volunteer opportunities are based out of our headquarters in Concord. Other positions in the field and at our Rocks Estate in Bethlehem, N.H. are also available.
Sign-up today!
Opportunities
NEW
Gift shop sales assistant
Manage new on-line Gift Shop orders. The Forest Society's goal is to enhance the service provided to our members and help us to expand to website. This would be an opportunity to apply your experience with on-line retail operations for a non-profit organization. You would contribute to our goal to keep New Hampshire New Hampshire.
Skills: Computer and photography skills are required. Gudiance will be provided from the Society's communications department and tech support staff. The worksite is at the Conservation Center located in Concord.
Hours: Initially the position would be a few hours a week on any week day with the possibility of more hours as internet sales increase. Benefits are working with an enthusiastic supervisor in an award winning, green certified building, enhancement of experience with on-line retail operations, training, meeting like-minded people, 20% discount in the Conservation Center Gift Shop and an opportunity to contribute to the Forest Society's mission to keep New Hampshire New Hampshire.
Exhibit assistant
At the Conservation Center, we host exhibits from various artists in our conference room. Artists often need help hanging their paintings or photographs or preparing for an opening. Exhibits are rotated every six weeks throughout the year. This position can grow to include coordination of exhibit openings, interviewing artists and scheduling exhibits.
Skills: Artist's eye, hammer and nail experience
Hours: As needed, weekdays
Floodplain interpretive guide
School, scout and other groups visit the Conservation Center to walk the floodplain and learn about the natural history of the area. We need trail volunteers to lead interpretive walks.
Skills: Interest and knowledge of ecology, good communication and interpretive skills, comfortable working with groups of children
Hours: As needed, no more than three hours per month
Groundskeeper/landscaper
Hundreds of people visit the Conservation Center every month. With your help, the nature trail and grounds will be ready for them. Tasks may include carpentry, landscaping, painting, and sign staining and lettering.
Skills: Good physical condition and enjoyment of outdoor work
Hours: As needed
Land Protection administrative volunteer
Our busy land protection specialists use volunteers to research deeds and scan documents.
Skills: good research techniques and ability to travel to registry of deeds on occasion; the scanning requires someone who is comfortable with office equipment
Hours: As needed, weekdays; the scanning project requires someone who can commit 1/2 or a full day a week to work on this extensive project
Land steward
The Forest Society has a comprehensive land steward program where you can train to become a steward on one of our properties. Land stewards act as caretakers of our properties, maintaining trails, removing litter, posting signs, etc. For more information, visit our Land Steward page.
Membership/Development assistant
With over 10,000 active members, the Forest Society's membership and development team needs help with a variety of tasks such as filing, stuffing packets, helping with small mailings, copying, shredding paperwork, etc.
Skills: Accuracy, attention to detail, familiarity with office equipment
Hours: Weekdays at your convenience
Office assistant
We need help at the Conservation Center for a variety of office tasks and special projects.
Skills: Filing, database input, research, mailings, scanning
Hours: Weekdays
Outreach assistant
The outreach department often needs extra “feet on the street” to help educate the public on local land conservation efforts, special events, and upcoming field trips. Tasks are varied but could include: posting flyers, contacting local officials to promote programs in their area, coordinating event logistics, assisting with set-up and tear-down, attending field trips and helping with group management, updating information on the web site.
Skills: Strong communication and organization skills, ability to act as a knowledgeable representative of the Forest Society, comfortable speaking to large groups of people, creativity, and familiarity with the Internet.
Hours: Vary depending upon project or activity
Photographer
We often need photographers to cover many of the ceremonies and events we host throughout the year. We also need images of newly acquired properties and field trips for use on the web and in our Forest Notes magazine.
Skills: Ability to take good-quality, high-resolution pictures – digital or film.
Hours: During scheduled events
Photo librarian
We've collected a lot of slides and photographs in our long history, and we need someone to help us devise an efficient filing system and organize the photos that come in and out of our library.
Skills: Strong organizational skills
Hours: two to three hours per week
Plant attendant
If you've visited our Conservation Center, then you know it is alive with greenery, which helps with air quality and aesthetics. Our green friends require regular attention, including watering, repotting, clipping, and planting.
Skills: Green thumb, knowledge of plants, and interest in experimentation
Hours: 1.5 hours per week at your convenience.
Receptionist/gift shop attendant
Our reception and gift shop area is the “hub” of the Conservation Center. Our receptionist/gift shop manager often needs assistance. We often need help to run this area.
Skills: Good people skills and interest in gift shop tasks.
Hours: As needed
Reservation monitor
General Forest Society property surveillance and observation, removal of trash and debris from property, communicating potential issues and impacts as they arise.
Qualifications: Willing to monitor a Forest Society property within a 20 mile drive of your home and gain a thorough knowledge and appreciation of that property. Good Forest Society representative. Also, opportunity to help with special work days.
Hours: At your discretion and time availability; varies.
Solar tour guide
Tour guides lead groups of students and adults through the award-winning Conservation Center, explaining the passive solar design and energy efficient features. Training is provided to teach volunteers how solar energy works and why the Forest Society built our distinctive headquarters, home to seven conservation organizations.
Skills: Strong verbal communication, comfortable with groups, good interpretive skills
Hours: Weekdays, occasional weekends
Special events assistant
The Forest Society often holds events at the Conservation Center and The Rocks Estate that require “extra hands” to help ensure a successful program. Examples include the Holiday Open House at the Conservation Center and Christmas tree harvesting at The Rocks Estate. Other special events may include ceremonies celebrating land acquisitions or having a booth at a tradeshow.
Skills: Strong verbal communication, comfortable answering questions and assisting people
Hours: Vary, depending upon the event
Over 300 people volunteer their time each year to the Forest Society. We hope you can be one of them!
Sign-up today!
If you have any questions, please contact Trish Churchill, Volunteer Coordinator, at 603-224-9945 or 
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