Weed Warriors

Opportunity Type:	Ongoing Volunteer Opportunity
Department:	Parks & Open Space
Category:	Open Space, Environment, and Gardening
Time Commitment & Minimum Age:	Approximately 4 hours per month, from May-October. Must be at least 16 years old, unless accompanied by an adult.
Location:	Walker Ranch Loop Trail
Program Summary:	Boulder County Parks & Open Space is looking for volunteers for our new Weed Warriors program. Why is this program a big deal? People have told us they want to try a 100% non-herbicide way to handle invasive weeds in open spaces. And we need your help! We want to see if it is feasible to control invasive weeds without using herbicides. We’ll start this test at Walker Ranch for the first five years and might expand to other places later. Volunteers will work on a one-mile section along the Walker Ranch Loop trail. On each visit, you’ll pull out invasive weeds, check specific points in your area, and fill out a simple form with the data. Our team at Boulder County Parks & Open Space will give you training on-site and in the classroom. You’ll learn about identifying invasive plants, removing them, and collecting data. Join our group of citizen scientists and help take care of our open spaces!
Duties and Responsibilities:	Attend orientation and on-site trainings. Complete an individual spring, summer, and fall site visit for monitoring and treatment. Input data in online data sheet and upload photos. Optional public volunteer projects and educational opportunities will also be provided.
Qualifications and Requirements:	Qualifications Must be at least 16 years old. If under the age of 16, must be accompanied by an adult parent/guardian during training and volunteer shifts. Willing to hike on a moderately difficult trail. Have ability to manually pull weeds and willingness to try using other hand or power tools for weed removal. Willingness to learn basic plant identification (previous identification knowledge is not required). Have personal transportation. Time Requirements Must attend orientation and on-site trainings. Must complete an individual spring, summer, and fall site visit for monitoring and treatment (a total of 3 per year). Reporting should take approximately 15 minutes after each site visit.
Training Dates and Information:	After completion of the application, applicants will be sent an email with program details. Orientation will take place on Saturday, April 6, at the Parks & Open Space office in Longmont. On-site training #1: Saturday, April 27. On-site training #2: Saturday, July 20. On-site training #3: Saturday, Oct. 26. We will host make-up trainings if you are unavailable for one or more of these dates.
Contact:	Amanda Hatfield ahatfield@bouldercounty.gov 303-678-6216
Application Process:	This position is not accepting applications at this time. Please sign up for our monthly newsletter to receive information about upcoming volunteer opportunities.