Adopter Program

The Volunteer Adopter Program program has given volunteers the flexibility to help us maintain our 27 miles of trails and extensive oak restoration projects on their own time. In this program, individuals have the freedom to volunteer on their own schedule while taking on the responsibility of trail sections across various preserves. Does that sound like you?

VolunteerS

The OVLC has always been sustained by our volunteers, both in the field and in the office. Without volunteers, our ability to build and maintain our trails and restore the lands would not be possible. That’s why we love our volunteers, and it’s also why we are constantly thinking of new ways for people to engage in caring for our community’s natural areas. Providing more engagement opportunities was why we first thought of creating this Volunteer Adopter Program, but when the pandemic hit, it crystallized the need for a more flexible volunteer program that allows for more independence on the part of volunteers. Plus, the increase in preserve use during the pandemic made the need for trail maintenance paramount.

Anyone who is interested in volunteering can join and we’ll provide the training and tools that are required to be a Volunteer Adopter. Volunteers are given access to an instructional handbook, tutorial videos, in-person training that will give them the freedom to train and volunteer on the schedule that works best for them.

This Volunteer Adopter Program is crucial in helping to achieve our stewardship goals through the rest of this pandemic and beyond. We hope you will consider becoming an Adopter.

Trail Adopters will help brush the trail and keep the corridor open, while also maintaining drains and trail signs, and act as eyes-on-the-ground to help OVLC staff identify larger problems and prioritize needed trail work. The majority of Trail Adopter sections have been adopted at this point, but there are still a few sections available for those who are interested!
Restoration Adopters will tend oak circles by weeding invasive plants, watering, mulching, and monitoring the growth of the oaks to help our Field Crew stay on top of this vast on-going project.
The addition of watering and mulching will be made possible this year through a series of host days called Community Adopter Days. On these days, an OVLC staff member will provide Adopters with access to our irrigation system to water the oak circles and special tools for mulching. They will also answer any questions Adopters may have and act as a point of contact.
By providing these Community Adopter Days, we’ll be able to dramatically increase the amount of care the land receives, even with our limited staff resources. Plus, the day will be open and flexible for adopters to come and go as they please. After all, that’s the very idea of the whole adopter program. We look to our incredible community for more help and make it as easy as possible for our community to offer help!