What exactly is a work party?
At least once a month, volunteers come together to improve trail conditions, remove invasive plants, or tend to garden areas on a CELT preserve. We generally have 5-15 people in attendance for each work party. Over the past year, over 75 people helped with 32 hours of trail work throughout all four seasons, with most volunteers attending 1-3 events each year. Work parties are usually scheduled from 9-11AM on a Saturday morning. They can be a nice way to kick off the weekend.
Highlights from this past year included creating New England Cottontail rabbit habitats at Runaway Farm, improving the boardwalk ramp systems and water flow for the trails at Chapel Woods, tending to the gardens at the CELT office and Turkey Hill Farm, and constructing new trails to the Davis Parcel. Now that we’re getting into winter, work parties may include invasive vine removal (especially bittersweet!) and improving trail signage and walkways.
All ages and a range of physical abilities are definitely welcome, as every hand can add a big help to these group efforts. Those under 18 years old may attend either with a guardian present or with a confirmed permission form ahead of time. (Reach out to info@capelandtrust.org if you’re interested!)
If you’d like to join our volunteer email list, sign up here! We also share these monthly work parties on the CELT Events Page, CELT Facebook page, Instagram, Eventbrite, and in the monthly eNewsletter (sign up box in the banner below this article).
Many thanks to the stewardship volunteers who have made such a difference on CELT trails and preserves!
