Vol-ops

American Chestnut Orchard Tenders

The loss of healthy and productive native chestnuts in eastern forests may have been the greatest ecological disaster in recent human history. Tyler’s volunteers support the arboretum’s cooperation with The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) who’s goal is to breed blight resistance from the Chinese chestnut tree into the American chestnut tree, while maintaining the American chestnut’s characteristics. A chestnut orchard was planted on site in 1997 with seedlings from Pennsylvania.
The TACF program is now providing advanced hybrids that are seven generations into the process of capturing resistance to the chestnut blight.

By weeding, mulching, and pruning 150 trees, Tyler’s volunteers assure the viability of a reservoir of the American chestnut. Nuts harvested each fall from these trees support breeding at other locations around the state. Tyler’s volunteers also learn about the disease that devastated our native chestnut as well as participate in controlled pollination activities to create first-generation hybrids.

A brief walk through of the work area and review of tasks are encouraged prior to deciding to join the group.

When: starting in April, Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Families with youngsters between the ages of 12 and 16 are welcome to attend.

Blue Bird Box Monitor 

Started in 1970 to address the decline of blue birds, the Blue Bird Box monitor program is a wonderful outlet for individual and families to learn about conservation and to practice conservation. Volunteers are needed to monitor boxes on Tyler property from April through August on a weekly basis. You need not be a birder just a lover of outdoors and a commitment to nature. Must be able to hike 2 miles without difficulties. We are currently not actively recruiting but the right person may be added.

When: seasonal; mutually agreed time.

Crafters

Are you creative and love to express yourself through paint, glue, and glitter?  If your craft room cannot contain your energy, come join our crafting volunteers and put the magical touches to many of our displays. Most of the work is indoors. Work at your own pace. We are currently not actively recruiting but the right person may be added.

When:  April to October; Tuesday mornings

Docents

Docents are teaching guides. Do you find it easy to talk to groups of people and love to learn about plants, history and conservation? Does seeing smiling faces and fielding questions your idea of a fun activity?  If you answered yes, then you should join the Docent team. We are looking for people to guide tours on Fridays and/or Saturdays and help our visitors explore Tyler. Training is provided. Must be able to walk 2 miles without difficulty and love the outdoors. To find out more about the Docent Program, come to one of the meet and greet: March 10 or March 17, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Missed the date and still interested?  Contact Julia Lo Ehrhardt jlo@tylerarboretum.org.

When:  Fridays, Saturdays from May to end of October, morning and afternoon shifts.

We welcome young adults as docents.

Exhibition Maintenance

From Tree Houses to Fairy Houses and much more, we need your help to maintain them. Help by re-stocking materials, dusting, wiping and general tidying up. Schedule is flexible. We provide all materials. This is perfect for our volunteers that are available on the weekends or who would like to work as a family.

When: seasonal; mutually agreeable time.

Garden Volunteer

Assist with the continuing renovation and renewal of the display gardens. Work with Tyler’s Gardeners to prune, plant, water, mulch, and care for our display borders and woodlands. You must be able to walk and stand for extended amount of time outdoors (rain or shine). Lifting of 20 to 30 lbs. is common. We require 16 hours per month of commitment.  Training on plant identification and gardening techniques are provided by Horticulture staff.  Some knowledge of gardening is helpful. Regular access to email is required.

When: Thursdays, May to October, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Natural Areas Restoration

According to Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, garlic mustard, mile-a-minute, burning bush and Canada thistle are some of the worst invasives in Pennsylvania. Without vigilant removal and care of natural areas, we stand to lose natural habitats and therefore diversity. Join our crew to help remove invasive plants from our meadows and woodlands so that our wildflowers and native plants can survive. You will learn how to remove invasives and identify native plants. Regular access to email is required. Attend one of our meet and greets held on March 11 and 15 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.  Email Julia Lo Ehrhardt – jlo@tylerarboretum.org to let us know you are coming.

When: TBD

Training: TBD

Special Events

Do you love community events? Do you find talking to people energizing? Then this is for you. Volunteers are needed to assist with all phases of our special events: event set-up/take down, staffing information stations, leading activities, assisting visitors, assembling gift bags and much more. This is usually a half-day commitment and Tyler provides on-the-job training. Special event volunteer opportunities are posted in the monthly volunteer e-newsletter usually 2 months ahead of the event. To sign up for our monthly volunteer e-newsletter, click here. The following are some of our major events and time of year we host them:

February – Pancake Breakfast
March/April – Eggstravaganza
May – Plant Sale
June – Ride, Roll or Stroll the Scenic Loop; Tyler at Twilight
July – Wacky Water
August – Bugs and Butterflies
October – Pumpkin Days

Trail Monitor

Love to hike our 17 miles of trails and want to help in maintaining them? If you are handy or have experience in trail clearing, join the Trail Monitor group. Volunteers are assigned different trails to monitor and maintain at their own schedule. Tools are supplied. Must be able to work alone. Suitable for families.  Monitors need to be physically fit and be able to carry tools in and out of work sites.

When:  Mutually agreed upon time.