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.
Edible Garden
Do you want to learn (or hone) your gardening skills and help visitors learn about growing vegetables and fruit? Then this is the volunteer job for you.
In this role you will provide day to day support to the gardeners in the Edible Garden, both in the vegetable display as well as other planting beds.
This role requires physical dexterity, an ability to bend and kneel frequently, and a tolerance for working outdoors.
We are particularly looking for volunteers with a positive outlook who like to be creative. Some experience with vegetable gardening, plant identification, and basic pruning and display planting is ideal. Master Gardener training is a plus but isn’t essential.
When: One-half day per week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9am and noon.
We ask that volunteers in this role are able to commit to a minimum of 8 hours per month from April to November.
If you have questions about this or any volunteer opportunity at Tyler, please contact:
Julia Lo Ehrhardt
Community Outreach Manager
610-566-9134, ext. 305
jlo@tylerarboretum.org
Horticulture Crew
Do you like working outdoors and do you mind getting dirty? Then why not join our dedicated and fun-loving Horticulture volunteer group in the care and upkeep of our landscape?
This is an active role and you must be able to walk and stand for extended periods of time outdoors (in all sorts of weather, rain or shine).
In this role you will work with knowledgeable staff who are experienced in many the horticulture tasks that keep Tyler’s grounds looking their best.
This highly active role requires an ability to lift 20 to 30 lb. and involves mulching, invasive plant removal, and event set-up.
Some knowledge of gardening is helpful but is not essential.
When: year-round on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 8am – noon.
If you have questions about this or any volunteer opportunity at Tyler, please contact:
Julia Lo Ehrhardt
Community Outreach Manager
610-566-9134, ext. 305
jlo@tylerarboretum.org
Blue Bird Box Monitor
What initially began in 1970 to address the decline of blue birds, the Blue Bird Box monitor program here at Tyler is a wonderful outlet for individuals and families to learn about conservation and to practice conservation. Although we are not currently recruiting volunteers for this role there’s always the possibility that a space will become available.
Volunteers are needed to monitor boxes on Tyler property from April through August on a weekly basis. You don’t need to be a birder to take part, you just need to be a lover of the outdoors and have a commitment to nature.
Blue Bird Box Monitors must be able to hike 2 miles without difficulties and must be comfortable being out in nature in all kinds of weather.
When: seasonal from April through August on a weekly basis at a mutually agreed upon time.
If you have questions about this or any volunteer opportunity at Tyler, please contact:
Julia Lo Ehrhardt
Community Outreach Manager
610-566-9134, ext. 305
jlo@tylerarboretum.org
Crafters
Are you creative and do you love to express yourself through paint, glue, and glitter? If your craft room cannot contain your energy, why not come and join our crafting volunteers and put the magical touches to many of our displays. Most of the work takes place indoors and volunteers are free to work at their own pace.
We are currently not actively recruiting for crafters but the right person may be added if a need arises.
When: Seasonally between April and October on Tuesday mornings.
If you have questions about this or any volunteer opportunity at Tyler, please contact:
Julia Lo Ehrhardt
Community Outreach Manager
610-566-9134, ext. 305
jlo@tylerarboretum.org
Docents
Do you find it easy to talk to groups of people and do you love to learn about plants, history, and conservation?
Does seeing smiling faces and fielding questions seem like your idea of a fun activity? If you answered yes to either question you’ll make a great addition to Tyler’s Docent team.
If you love to teach, guide, and share stories, and if you like people are are happy speaking in public, you’ll probably make an ideal Docent.
We are particularly looking for volunteers to guide tours on Fridays and Saturdays. When you sign up as a docent you’ll go through an extensive training and orientation period with the result being that you’ll become an expert in the history and layout of Tyler.
To succeed in this role you’ll need to be able to walk 2 miles without difficulty and you must be comfortable working outdoors.
To find out more about the Docent Program, contact Julia.
When: Fridays and Saturdays from April until the end of October, morning and afternoon shifts, with occasional group tours during the rest of the week.
If you have questions about this or any volunteer opportunity at Tyler, please contact:
Julia Lo Ehrhardt
Community Outreach Manager
610-566-9134, ext. 305
jlo@tylerarboretum.org
Ambassadors
Join the team that provides Tyler’s visitors with engaging interpretation of the Arboretum by answering questions and providing suggestions for their visit. Don’t worry about not knowing about Tyler, we provide extensive training that usually begins in April. To find out more about the Ambassador Program, come to one of the meet and greet sessions. Please contact Julia for details.
When: Fridays and Saturdays from May until the end of October, morning and afternoon shifts are available.
If you have questions about this or any volunteer opportunity at Tyler, please contact:
Julia Lo Ehrhardt
Community Outreach Manager
610-566-9134, ext. 305
jlo@tylerarboretum.org
Natural Areas Team
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, plants such as garlic mustard, mile-a-minute, burning bush, and Canada thistle are some of the most invasive plants in the state.
Without the vigilant removal of these plants, the care of natural areas across the state is in jeopardy. Here at Tyler, without careful control of invasive plants we stand to lose areas of natural habitats and with those losses, we’ll lose ecological diversity.
If you’d like to help stem the tide of invasive plants at Tyler, join our crew to help remove invasive plants from our meadows and woodlands so that our wildflowers and native plants can survive.
As part of this team you will learn how to successfully remove invasive plants, while learning how to identify native plants. To be successful in this role you will need regular access to email so that you can receive details about when the team meets to do its job.
When: Usually the third Saturday of the month seasonally between April and November.
We ask that members of this team commitment a minimum of 5 Saturdays each year.
If you have questions about this or any volunteer opportunity at Tyler, please contact:
Julia Lo Ehrhardt
Community Outreach Manager
610-566-9134, ext. 305
jlo@tylerarboretum.org
Program Gardens
If you’re a keen gardener and you’d love to volunteer at Tyler but your time is limited, consider helping out in one of the gardens that support our programs.
Program garden volunteers provide support in our Pollinator Garden and Butterfly Garden, along with weekend support for the Edible Garden when needed.
This role requires physical dexterity, an ability to bend and kneel frequently, and a tolerance for working outdoors. We are particularly looking for volunteers with a positive outlook and who like to be creative. Some experience with vegetable gardening, plant identification, and basic pruning and display planting is ideal. Master Gardener training is a plus but isn’t essential.
When: Thursdays and Saturdays starting in April and ending in early November. 10am to noon.
If you have questions about this or any volunteer opportunity at Tyler, please contact:
Julia Lo Ehrhardt
Community Outreach Manager
610-566-9134, ext. 305
jlo@tylerarboretum.org
Trail Monitor
If you’re a keen hiker of Tyler’s 17 miles of trails and you’ve ever wondered what it takes to keep the trails in top shape, here’s your chance to help maintain 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 and we provide all the tools needed.
Trail Monitors must be able to work alone when needed and must be physically fit and able to carry tools in and out of work sites.
When: Mutually agreed upon time.
If you have questions about this or any volunteer opportunity at Tyler, please contact:
Julia Lo Ehrhardt
Community Outreach Manager
610-566-9134, ext. 305
jlo@tylerarboretum.org
Butterfly House Guide and Netter
Are you personable and love to be around insects, in particular butterflies and caterpillars?
Do you mind going out into Tyler’s gardens and meadows in search for butterflies and caterpillars?
Then volunteering in Tyler’s seasonally open Butterfly House may be the ideal place for you to spend your summer.
Netters need to be comfortable working outdoors, sometimes in extreme weather.
Butterfly House Guides engage welcome and orientate visitors and provide positive and educational information about butterflies and caterpillars. In this role you will teach visitors about the butterfly life cycle and explain how butterflies and caterpillars depend on plants to complete their life cycle.
This is an active role that requires the ability to stand, walk, and stoop for up to 2 hours at one time. In this role you must be people oriented and enjoy engaging diverse volunteers and visitors including children. Have an email account that is checked on a regular basis (once per week).
When: Several shifts available from mid-July to Labor Day. Training will be posted and usually takes place in early to mid-June.
If you have questions about this or any volunteer opportunity at Tyler, please contact:
Julia Lo Ehrhardt
Community Outreach Manager
610-566-9134, ext. 305
jlo@tylerarboretum.org
Exhibition Maintenance
From Tree Houses to Fairy Houses and much more, if you’re have practical skills, we need your help to maintain Tyler’s seasonally open outdoor exhibits.
Some of your tasks will include helping re-stock materials, along with dusting, wiping, and general tidying up. The schedule for exhibit maintenance is flexible and we provide all materials you’ll need. This opportunity is perfect for volunteers with availability on the weekends, or for groups who would like to work as a family.
When: seasonal; mutually agreeable times.
If you have questions about this or any volunteer opportunity at Tyler, please contact:
Julia Lo Ehrhardt
Community Outreach Manager
610-566-9134, ext. 305
jlo@tylerarboretum.org
Clerical Support
We are looking for individuals with knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly if you have experience creating and supporting spreadsheets and are able to complete web searches. As a clerical support volunteer we have several roles available, several of which may be short term while others take place are throughout the year. Due to the nature of the work, volunteers for this role must be willing to take and must pass a background check.
If you have questions about this or any volunteer opportunity at Tyler, please contact:
Julia Lo Ehrhardt
Community Outreach Manager
610-566-9134, ext. 305
jlo@tylerarboretum.org
Special Events
Do you love community events?
Do you find talking to people energizing? Then come and volunteer at one of Tyler’s Special Events.
Volunteers are needed to assist with all phases of our special events, including event set-up and take down, staffing for information and activity 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. Suitable for Families and young adults. Our major events vary by season and include:
February – Pancake Breakfast and Maple Sugaring (this is usually a Saturday event)
March/April – Eggstravaganza (our seasonal Easter event that usually happens on a Sunday)
May – Plant Sale (the Plant Sale usually takes place in early May on a Friday, Saturday, and Sunday )
June – Fairies and Wizards (this is usually a Sunday event)
July – Garden Grown (this is usually a Sunday event)
August – Bugs and Butterflies (this is usually a Sunday event)
October – Pumpkin Days (this is usually a Saturday and Sunday event)
If you have questions about this or any volunteer opportunity at Tyler, please contact:
Julia Lo Ehrhardt
Community Outreach Manager
610-566-9134, ext. 305
jlo@tylerarboretum.org