Volunteer Opportunities

To volunteer with the New Canaan Nature Center call (203) 966-9577.

General Volunteer Opportunities

Administrative Work
The Nature Center relies on volunteers to perform many administrative duties including mailings (stuffing, labeling, sorting etc.), data entry, filing and the delivery of our promotional literature to various locales in the community.

Marketing & Communications
We are currently in need of volunteers who are willing to assist the Marketing Department with a variety of tasks that will help publicize upcoming events. If you have experience in marketing, communications or public relations we need your talents! > Click here to learn more.

Handyman Projects
Our many buildings are always in need of improvements and general maintenance work including carpentry, painting, electrical and plumbing work. Volunteers with such skills can assist our staff in keeping our buildings in good repair.

Grounds Maintenance
Volunteers are needed to help our staff maintain our unique 40 acre property. Seasonally, there is a need for help with transplanting flowers and shrubs, pruning of trees and bushes, spreading wood chips on our many trails and the removal of brush and invasive plants.

Animal Care Volunteers

Our dedicated Animal Care Volunteers, many of them high school students, assist with daily feeding and exercising of the Nature Center's critters and help us keep our Animal Care facility clean. All permanently injured or otherwise human-dependent, our captive animals form a vital part of our educational program.

Summer Teacher Naturalists in Training (TNTs)

Attention teens age 14 and older: Looking for a way to spend some of summer vacation? Consider spending it with energetic children while they explore nature up close and personal! The New Canaan Nature Center has an opportunity for you to become a Summer Teacher/Naturalists in Training. Our Summer Nature Program TNTs spend their time assisting our Summer Teacher/Naturalists (college-age & older) with everyday camp responsibilities and learning appropriate ways to work with children ages 3 - 10. We'll provide training!

Anne H. Harper Fellowship award for a TNT

The Anne H. Harper Fellowship award was created in 2000 as a tribute to Anne H. Harper, the New Canaan Nature Center's Executive Director from 1992-2000. The creators of the fellowship award sought to find a way to help others follow Anne's example of leadership and commitment in the service of environmental education.

The Harper Fellowship is designed to help a young man or woman, age 14 to 17, volunteer as a Teacher/ Naturalist in Training for the Summer Nature Program. Many young TNT applicants who show great promise as educators and role models for other youth cannot afford to volunteer without financial help. The Harper Fellowship funds a summer volunteer experience for one deserving applicant with a stipend, which will be $500 in Summer 2007.

Our highest aim in supporting these young people is to help them develop as future leaders in our community and in the environmental field in general. We are pleased to invite you to submit an application for this award to a Summer Nature Program volunteer who shares Anne Harper's qualities of caring, effort and dedication.

Contact Anne Wilkinson at (203) 966-9577 x 41.

Horticulture Volunteers

Here's an opportunity for hands-on learning! You'll work under the guidance of our Director of Horticulture Education. A regular commitment is preferred.

Greenhouse volunteers
On Tuesday and Saturday mornings, volunteers water, propagate, prune, divide and pot up plants. There are horticultural volunteer openings for all ages and abilities and for those who prefer to work alone or in groups.

There is also a need for volunteers to help keep the Greenhouse open and accessible to the public on weekends and during the summer. Volunteers will be trained to answer common gardening questions and to educate people about the workings for the Greenhouse and the plants found in it.

Herb Garden volunteers:
On Tuesdays, from spring through the fall, volunteer opportunities include gardening and propagation, crafts and culinary projects using herbs, as well as, research and record keeping.

Special Events Volunteers

Fall Fair
This annual event is held in mid-October with games for children, music, crafts and great food in an open-house event for the community. Volunteers can help with the setup and breakdown, as well as, manning the craft tables, the food tent and with many other fun-filled activities.

Holiday Market
Volunteers with all types of talents are always needed for this exciting community tradition. Crafts are created throughout the year. Volunteers are also needed to help setup displays and to staff the tables during this one day event held in early December.

Garden Market
This Spring event features the sale of various types of plants. Volunteers, both novice and serious gardeners, are needed to prepare the plants, setup and breakdown the event, and during the day to help with sales.

Secret Gardens Tour
This annual event in early June allows participants to tour a number of beautiful private gardens in New Canaan. Volunteers serve as garden hostesses, help with the invitation mailing and the luncheon.