Volunteer

Lend a hand.

Another important way you can donate to the Wetherill Nature Preserve is to give your time.

Email us to volunteer

What volunteers do

The volunteers' mission has been to maintain trails, attack non-native invasive plants, nurture existing native plants, maintain benches and attend to the general welfare of the Preserve.

  • Trail work Maintain the trails. In 2023 an Eagle Scout project moved 3 tons of gravel for the NE Forest trail.
  • Invasive plants Attack non-native invasive plants such as ivy, blackberry and holly.
  • Planting Nurture existing native plants, and help with plantings such as the rebuilt main entrance.
  • Benches and upkeep Maintain benches and attend to the general welfare of the Preserve.
  • Birds and photos Help track bird migration, share wildlife photos, or help with social media.

Thank you to our volunteers: the groups and volunteers each newsletter has thanked.

Work parties

Come to a work party

The Seattle Garden Club has held annual work parties in the Preserve since 2004, clearing ivy and planting. Scout troops have helped with gravel and blackberry.

[Next work party: date and meeting place to be announced]

Through the year

Preserve care calendar

The regular work that keeps the Preserve healthy, from the commission’s annual maintenance plan. Volunteers help with much of it; tell us which you’d like to join.

  • Oversight walk: trails, tree falls, blocked paths Monthly, September–March · Commission
  • Oversight walk (growing season, every 2 weeks) Every 2 weeks, April–August · Commission
  • Leaf blowing and trail trimming Every 2 weeks, October–December · Commission
  • Book the spring crew days with Green City During February · Commission
  • Spring crew days (2): mow meadows, clear fence lines and trails March 1 – April 30 · Contractor
  • Commission walk-through of the Preserve The last Thursday of March · Commission
  • Fall crew day: prepare the Preserve for winter August 1 – September 30 · Contractor
  • Schedule EarthCorps for next year November 1 – December 31 · Commission
  • EarthCorps crew days (as scheduled) March 1 – October 31 · Contractor
  • Check culverts and drainage before the winter rains During October · Contractor
  • Purple and garden loosestrife: confirm the state spraying During June · Commission
  • Cut ivy climbing healthy trees November 1 – March 31 · Volunteers
  • Remove poison hemlock outcrops April 1 – June 30 · Commission
  • Cut back blackberry along trails and clearings May 1 – August 31 · Volunteers
  • Trim growth along the Points Loop Trail Monthly, May–August · Volunteers
  • Water first-year trees Monthly, June–September · Commission
  • Arborist review of hazard trees During February · Contractor
  • Watch for yellowjacket and hornet nests near trails During August · Commission

Get in touch

If you would like to lend a hand, email us so we can let you know about upcoming projects and volunteer opportunities.

Email us to volunteer

Or write to wetherillnaturepreserve@gmail.com. Email to the Preserve may be a public record of the Towns.