MD Chapter Seeks new Preserve Monitors!

With our land holdings constantly increasing, we need more eyes and ears on the ground making sure our conservation investment remains sound. There are two very different roles for preserve monitors.  If you like being alone in wilderness areas, consider becoming a Boundary Walker.  If you are more comfortable in areas that show signs of civilization, help us keep an eye on the public parts of our preserves by checking on the condition of the visitor facilities and other structures on our land as a Visitor Facility Monitor.  (By the way, we need a better name for this position--Enter the Contest to name this position!)

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How to decide this is the right job for you!

1. Review job descriptions to decide which role makes you comfortable.                             Boundary Walker Job Description   and   Visitor Facilities Monitor Job Description
2. Review report forms to see what you'll be watching for:  Boundaries       Facilities Example
3. Review Staying Safe While Working in the Field and see packing checklist.
4. For Boundary Walkers, review sign posting standards .
5. Choose a site or a part of the state. See the chart below and click on the "Map Location" link at the top of the 4th column to find out the general area and attractions for each preserve.  Click on the "details" link to find out about a preserve's terrain, and its specific challenges. Be sure it's a place that you can get to at least twice a year.
6. If you're interested, call or e-mail Gabe Cahalan (gcahalan@tnc.org; 301-897-8570) to schedule a phone interview.  Tell us why you chose that preserve and which job you are interested in. 
7. Volunteers matched with preserves will receive on-site training from Stewardship staff.This training will involve a half-day in the field.

These are the preserves where we need new volunteers: