Volunteers at our Native Plant Greenhouse engage in meaningful projects that provide on-the-ground benefits for our protected lands. Through activities such as propagating native seedlings, performing ecological landscaping tasks, and maintaining the greenhouse, our volunteers play a crucial role in restoring lands protected by GTRLC. These efforts include, but are not limited to, improving habitat for declining bird species, providing pollinator sources for native insects, and establishing habitat in highly degraded areas that support wildlife.
Location
GTRLC’s Native Plant Greenhouse is located in Traverse City, on the grounds of the Conservation Center at Mitchell Creek Meadows: The Don and Jerry Oleson Nature Preserve.
Responsibilities/Duties
Greenhouse tasks vary depending on the season but may include the following:
- Washing and sanitizing planting trays and pots
- Preparing seed trays and pots with soil mixes
- Watering and weeding seedlings
- Sweeping floors and tidying greenhouse and botany lab
- Outplanting seedling plugs on several different GTRLC properties (in the spring and fall)
- Ecological landscaping and maintenance around the Conservation Center
Qualifications
While the qualifications listed below are appreciated, if you feel you do not meet some or all of them, don’t worry! We are always happy to teach newcomers the essentials and encourage all who are interested in making a positive impact on their community to join us on one of our workdays!
- A positive attitude and the ability to collaborate with others
- Familiarity with basic gardening tools
- Interest in or knowledge of native plants
- Ability to work for two hours at a time (with breaks)
- Certain tasks, such as outplanting, may require bending and kneeling
- Certain tasks may be dusty; masks will be provided
Time Commitment
The time you dedicate to habitat restoration is invaluable, and you are welcome to volunteer as much as your schedule allows. We have structured our greenhouse opportunities as regular, weekly commitments, and encourage volunteers to return for multiple weeks. Please keep in mind that work in the greenhouse is seasonal and some months are busier than others.
Training
Greenhouse volunteers will receive the following training necessary to care for our native seedlings:
- Volunteer orientation
- Tool use and safety
- Importance of native plants to our local ecosystems
- Species identification
If you’re excited to help us in the Native Plant Greenhouse and with restoration projects on our protected lands, sign up today to learn more!