Winnakee Land Trust’s mission is to conserve and steward our forests, agricultural lands and water resources. We take an active role in supporting and restoring a thriving ecosystem – and you can too! Our volunteers are critical to our success and growth.
In a given year, Winnakee brings together about 200 volunteers to help us maintain our parks and trails and to host events. From fundraisers to educational events to helping our parks thrive and grow, we rely on volunteers of all ages and skill levels.
How you’ll contribute: Outdoor field work and park and trail maintenance at our parks and preserves. Refreshing current trails and creating trails on new properties, including building seating, signboards and trail markers. Work hand in hand with our Stewardship & Land Protection Team to identify invasives, assess habitat health and contribute to stewarding a healthy ecosystem.
A great role for: People who enjoy physical labor, working with a team to achieve a goal, and who want to learn more about native (and invasive!) Hudson Valley ecology to restore forest resilience.
How you’ll contribute: Focus on one of our most beloved parks! Support trail and parking maintenance, track invasive and native flora and fauna, help ready the park for sledding, assist with special events like our Full Moon Hikes and / or keep our park safe by volunteering to open and close the entrance gate.
A great role for: People seeking a regular commitment and location who are able to open and close the gate on a set schedule (rotated weekly among volunteers). People looking to participate in maintaining a beloved park for recreation and its habitats for pollinator species (such as the endangered Monarch butterfly) and uncommon grassland birds.
How you’ll contribute: Events are foundational to our vision of connecting land and communities. Our events are varied and so are the ways you can contribute. From setting up table with informational materials, greeting guests, and helping load everything up at the end, to making event specific creations and educational materials and serving as docents, event volunteers are a vital contributor to our community.
A great role for: People who enjoy interacting with the public, working with a team to achieve a goal, and helping organize processes. Great for anyone looking to meet like-minded people who are passionate about Winnakee’s mission and a healthy ecology.
How you’ll contribute: Capturing great images of our parks, preserves and events is key to communicating the importance of our work and inviting community support. Here’s how you can contribute your photography skills:
To share your work you can tag us on social @winnakeelandtrust on Instagram or Facebook.
To photograph our events please send an email to Amy Jelenko, Community Engagement Manager at amy@winnakee.org with:
You can be proud that your support will make an impact in conserving lands,
expanding public access to trails, and connecting your community with the land.