BCP Volunteer Opportunities:
Native Plant Landscaper

Organization

Travis County Balcones Canyonlands Preserve (BCP)

Job Title

Volunteer Native Plant Landscaper

Objectives

Travis County BCP Volunteer Program involves the community in endangered species conservation, land stewardship, wildlife management, monitoring, research, education, outreach, mapping, and information management.

Duties and Responsibilities

Participate in hands-on projects with planting native trees and other vegetation in gardens and wilderness areas. Ongoing maintenance of plants would include watering, weeding, mulching, fertilizing, and pruning.

Qualifications and Requirements

The volunteer must provide his/her own transportation to meeting locations. Volunteers less than 18-years of age must have consent of parent or guardian. The volunteer should have an interest in native plants, gardening, and landscape restoration.

Lines of Communication

Staff will supervise the volunteer's work. The volunteer's supervisor will coordinate access to the BCP, supply native plants, gardening materials and tools, and provide instructions for landscape/restoration efforts.

Orientation and Training

The volunteer will receive orientation about the BCP, volunteer policy and safety. The volunteers will work with County staff or an experienced volunteer to learn native plant identification and procedures for planting and maintaining native plants.

Times Needed and Place of Work

The volunteer will work outside on the preserve. The volunteer should expect to work at least 3 hours per planting activiy and 1 hour per visit for maintenance activities such as watering, weeding, mulching, fertilizing, and pruning.

Commitment Required

The volunteer may commit to a single day or may commit to longer service periods. If the volunteer has an interest in a particular part of the preserve, they could "adopt" a restoration area or garden and would be responsible for planting and maintenance of that area. 

Benefits

The volunteer will receive experience with vegetation identification, planting, and maintenance of native plants. The volunteer will be trained by experienced staff. The volunteer will enjoy spending time at the preserve and improving wildlife habitat.

Special Considerations

The volunteer must be comfortable working outside doing gardening activities. There is a possibility that volunteers will encounter rough terrain, snakes, scorpions, fire ants, poison ivy and other wild land hazards. Landscape activities require using tools (shovels, pitchforks, wheelbarrows, loppers, and saws), working with soil and mulch, and the ability to at lift 25 pounds. Activities would be cancelled in event of inclement weather.

Dress Code and Supplies

We recommend you bring a cell phone and drinking water and wear boots and protective clothing. The volunteer should bring sturdy gloves and eye protection.

Contact Information

William Burch, Travis County BCP Volunteer Coordinator
9512 RM 620 No
Austin TX 78726
(512) 219-6190 x3
william.burch@co.travis.tx.us