Make a Difference by Volunteering with TLC
Make a Difference by Volunteering with TLC
We currently only host small, socially distant volunteer activities or remote and self-led. Please visit our VolunteerHub page to create a profile if you are interested in volunteering with TLC.
Trail Guide Training
Do you want to lead official TLC hikes and programs at our preserves? First, you need to become a TLC Trail Guide! We generally offer training in the early Fall and Spring each year. As a bonus, these hours can now count towards your NC Environmental Educators Certificate! Please follow the link below to learn more about the requirements and the current training schedule.
Volunteer Opportunities
Trail Crew
Volunteers assist with the stewardship of TLC properties by providing many types of physical support in the field. Their projects are varied and exciting and include building kiosks, removing invasive plant species, building and maintaining trails, and cleaning streams. Check our VolunteerHub page for upcoming Trail Crew dates and mark your interest.
Corporate/Group Workdays
Throughout the year, we organize groups of volunteers for outdoor service days that last anywhere from 2- 6 hours. If you are actively involved in a group that would be interested in a service day, we can help you arrange one on a TLC property. Please email [email protected] with your group size, interests, and location if you want to customize a workday. For planning purposes, we request at least a month’s notice.
Conservation Corps
Volunteers preserve and improve the physical and biological components of TLC’s Nature reserves, particularly those in the Western part of the Triangle. The Conservation Corps meets weekly on Thursdays from 9-12 to carry out trail construction and maintenance, invasive species monitoring and control, basic construction and woodworking projects, general landscaping, property and equipment maintenance, and garden construction and management. Visit our VolunteerHub page and mark your interest in Conservation Corps to receive weekly email updates about projects.
Walnut Wednesdays
Similar to our “Conservation Corps” program, but will specifically be at Bailey and Sarah Williamson Preserve (near Clayton) and only meet on one Wednesday per month. This group will help with invasive removal, fencing repair, property cleanup, and trail building when that portion of the project gets underway, potentially next year. See all the upcoming Walnut Wednesdays on our VolunteerHub page.
Site Steward
Site Stewards assist in the stewardship of TLC properties by walking the trails and boundaries of our preserves, doing light maintenance during these walks, and reporting on conditions to the TLC’s stewardship staff.
Hike Leader Volunteers
This position is for the friendly outdoor enthusiast. The bulk of this position will be planning and leading informal hikes on our preserves. As time permits, you may also be involved in outreach planning and formal outreach events. Please follow the link above to see the current training schedule.
Office Volunteers
We can always use an extra pair of hands in our office. Join the hubbub by assisting staff with office-based projects, including stuffing envelopes, pulling together new member packets, preparing for events, and other miscellaneous projects. Please fill out our volunteer form to learn about office projects as they arise or set up a regular schedule; almost all office tasks take place M-F 9-5.
Environmental Education Volunteer
Environmental Education Volunteers assist with programs and educational outreach events and help create educational materials for programs. TLC can train volunteers who would like to assist with the following:
- Program support
- Working one-on-one with children
- Handing out and collecting supplies
- Providing extra supervision for children that need more adult help.
TLC volunteers with experience teaching or working with children can also help lead group activities or guided hikes. Email our Education and Outreach Associate, Kayla Ebert, at [email protected] for more information and upcoming opportunities. Volunteers must be willing to submit to a background check. You can also follow the link above for the next Trail Guide training.
Community Engagement Volunteers
Community Engagement Volunteers connect our community with all of our benefit areas which encourages the appreciation of TLC wildlife habitats, local farms and food, clean water protection, and connecting people to nature.
Opportunities include ongoing and one-time tasks such as:
assisting with TLC events
- presenting to community groups and
- tabling at farmers’ and other events throughout our six-county region.
If interested, please fill out our volunteer form.
Friends of the Forest
The Friends of the Forest Program is an independent group volunteer option perfect for Scouts, youth groups, and outdoor service organizations who want to volunteer at their convenience. Collect litter at TLC’s Nature preserves keeps the area healthy for plants and animals and pristine, looking for people exploring nature. The Friends of the Forest kit includes gloves, bags, maps, safety instructions, and several environmental education activities and games to complement your volunteer service. Email our Education and Outreach Associate, Kayla Ebert, at [email protected] for more information about the Friends of the Forest Program and to schedule a service date.
