Volunteer with us
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with LAWPC!
Volunteers play a critical role in protecting Lake Auburn and the surrounding watershed. In sharing their time and expertise, volunteers help us track changing conditions, engage community members, and keep the watershed clean. Lake Auburn would not be what it is today without the help of our volunteers – join the team today to help make a difference in the health of your watershed!
Check out the available roles below, or email Outreach Coordinator Phoebe Hopkins at phopkins@awsd.org for general volunteering inquiries.
Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities
Fishing Line Collection
Overview: Fishing Line Collection Volunteers will help LAWPC collect and properly dispose of fishing line around the lake in an effort to curb litter and protect wildlife. When fishing line is left on the ground or hanging from trees it can get tangled around the limbs of animals, preventing them from being able to move to find food or escape predators. Birds often misidentify fishing line litter as nest-building material, which can lead to the entanglement of young chicks. In 2013 a concerned citizen started the fishing line collection program after seeing the impacts of line on loons and other birds. He built 14 fishing line collection tubes and stationed them at popular fishing spots around the perimeter of Lake Auburn and the Basin, where they have been utilized by local anglers ever since. Volunteers are needed to periodically check the tubes and empty them of accumulated line and trash throughout fishing season.
Responsibilities: Volunteers are responsible for monitoring and cleaning out the fishing line collection tubes stationed around the lake. Collection schedules are created at the start of each season and are variable depending on the scheduling needs of current volunteers, but volunteers are expected to check their tubes at least every two weeks in the busiest months of fishing season and at least once per month during the shoulder seasons. Volunteers commit to gathering and submitting data to LAWPC in a timely manner, and for communicating issues and needs to LAWPC.
Qualifications: Volunteers should be able to regularly visiting their assigned tubes during the summer and fall. Access to a vehicle is necessary, as the tubes are located at some distance from one another, and many are not in walkable areas. Volunteers should be comfortable working on the edge of a busy road – many tubes are located on the side of Lake Shore Drive, which has a small shoulder and a speed limit of up to 45 miles per hour.
Training/support: LAWPC staff will meet with volunteers to go over the line collection and data recording processes. Volunteers will be provided with a kit that has all necessary materials for line collection and light cleaning/maintenance of tubes.
Benefits: Fishing line collection has a direct positive impact on the wellbeing of birds and other animals that live in and around Lake Auburn. Fishing line collection is a wonderful way to protect wildlife and the ecosystem we share!
Trail Stewardship
Overview: Volunteer Trail Stewards will help LAWPC monitor trails and public access areas across our land. Public use of trails helps connect people to the watershed and develop a desire to steward the land and water. However, trail access can also negatively impact water quality through the accumulation of litter and dog waste, and the increase in erosion from continued trail use. LAWPC cares deeply about balancing land access with water quality protection, and Volunteer Trail Monitors play a vital role in this work. Trail Monitors commit to regularly walking a section of trail, reporting observations to LAWPC staff and providing education to other trail users about responsible trail use. They may also complete small trail maintenance projects as needed, such as trimming back vegetation or picking up litter.
Responsibilities: The Volunteer Trail Steward is responsible for walking their chosen trail at least once per month (frequency may be lower during the winter months). Volunteers commit to submitting trail monitoring data to LAWPC in a timely manner. Volunteers in this role are also responsible for the timely communication of issues or needs to LAWPC.
Qualifications: Volunteers should be able to regularly visit their chosen trail (more frequently during the spring, summer, and fall). Volunteers should be comfortable hiking in the woods, and should and be able to navigate uneven terrain.
Training/support: LAWPC staff will provide volunteers with information about the specific trail, as well as training in the types of observations that are helpful for water quality protection. Volunteers will also be provided with educational materials to hand out to trail users if desired, as well as any trail maintenance tools they may need.
Benefits: Trail Stewards play a critical role in the support and maintenance of watershed trails. Stewardship provides a regular rhythm of getting out on the trail, and a chance to see changes over time as the seasons shift.
Plant Species Inventorying
Overview: Plant Inventory Volunteers help LAWPC track the richness and range of species of interest on LAWPC parcels. This work helps us maintain the health of native species, plan invasive species removal projects, and provide a resource for landowners to obtain live stakes. This role is great for group volunteering as well!
Responsibilities: The Plant Inventory Volunteer will work on LAWPC land, selecting a parcel from the provided list to inventory. Volunteers are responsible for identifying species of interest on their chosen parcel, tagging them, and uploading that information into Survey123. Volunteers are expected to communicate their availability and findings with the role supervisor.
Qualifications: Strong plant identification skills or an interest in learning these skills (the ability to identify all target species is not necessary). This position requires the ability to walk for the agreed upon volunteer shift (minimum 30 minutes), write and place tags, and use Survey123 on a personal mobile device. Some parcels do not have cleared trails, so volunteers can expect to walk through a variety of terrain.
Training/support: Volunteers will have access to the live staking species identification guide, the invasive species identification guide, as well as a range of videos on the topic. The role supervisor will meet with the volunteer to go over technical training for how to use Survey123 and how to sign up for shifts/log hours. Volunteers are also encouraged to participate in guided events hosted by LAWPC, which may include species identification events.
Benefits: Volunteers who participate in this role will strengthen their plant identification skills, and they will learn about the impact of invasive species, live staking, and the impacts of disease agents on native species. Volunteers will be provided with free, hands-on training in plant identification, as well as receive free ID guides.
Educational Materials Creation
Overview: Volunteers in this role will help LAWPC promote outreach and provide educational materials to the public on different components of watershed health and management. Volunteers will help create educational pamphlets and handouts, and assist with developing articles for the LAWPC newsletter as needed.
Responsibilities: Volunteers are responsible for completing educational/outreach materials by the agreed upon deadline. For more technical documents, the volunteer may collaborate with the role supervisor to get feedback on their work and create ideas together. Volunteers in this role will receive emails when new materials are needed, and are expected to communicate their availability and timeframe with the role supervisor.
Qualifications: Educational Materials Volunteers should be interested in community engagement and have strong writing skills. Access to a working computer and the ability to call and collaborate with the role supervisor is needed.
Training/support: The role supervisor will meet with the volunteer to discuss individual project needs, such as topic, formatting, and deadlines, as well as to edit and review the final product. Volunteers will be provided with access to any information and/or documentation that may be helpful for the project.
Benefits: Volunteers in this role will help LAWPC promote outreach and provide more educational materials for the public. This role is great for anyone who enjoys researching topics and sharing their findings with others!
Interpretive Walk Guides
Overview: Volunteers in this role will help LAWPC engage the public about the natural world and build curiosity and appreciation for the Lake Auburn watershed. On these nature walks, guides are encouraged to promote nature-based solutions to conserving land and preventing soil erosion, like creating vegetated buffers with native plants.
Responsibilities: Interpretive Guides are responsible for leading groups of 5-15 members of the public on a LAWPC trail for one to two hours. A plan should be drafted and approved by the role supervisor before the event day (can be a general plan for talking points along the walk). Topics of interest LAWPC would like to promote are signs and impacts of soil erosion, native and invasive plant identification/care/history, animal track identification, bird identification, ecology, geology, and history of the watershed.
Qualifications: Interpretive walk guides should be well-versed in their topic of choice, and be comfortable interacting with members of the public and answering questions. Those with Maine Master Naturalist training are highly qualified for this role and are encouraged to apply.
Training/support: Role supervisor can provide different support depending on what is needed, ranging from collaboration on planned talking points, to doing a walk-through of the area with the volunteer beforehand.
Benefits: Guiding is a great way to share your interests with like-minded people, and to engage with your community. Interpretive guides will also gain experience with public presentations and leadership.
Water Quality Sampling
Overview: Water quality sampling volunteers will help LAWPC monitor water quality in two bodies of water upstream of Lake Auburn. The Basin and Little Wilson Pond contribute water through downstream flow into Lake Auburn. Thus, any issues impacting the water quality of these two water bodies will ultimately impact the water quality of Lake Auburn. Long term data collection can help LAWPC notice upstream issues, enabling us to take proactive steps to mitigate any adverse effects to our drinking water.
Responsibilities: Volunteers are responsible for sampling water clarity, dissolved oxygen, and other parameters (as determined by LAWPC) at least once per month, and submitting data to LAWPC and other partner organizations in a timely manner. Volunteers in this role are responsible for the timely communication of issues or needs to LAWPC. Examples could include the need for additional training, issues with water quality testing tools, or additional observations of the water body. This volunteer role will also report to Lake Stewards of Maine (LSM), and is therefore responsible for following all of LSM’s volunteer policies and protocols.
Qualifications: Those looking to become involved in water quality sampling will need to have reliable access to a hand-carry boat — either a canoe or a kayak would be preferable (no open-top kayaks or those measuring less than 12-ft in length are allowed on the Basin). Volunteers should be experienced utilizing canoes or kayaks, and feel comfortable operating independently on the water. Volunteers should be a legal adult or be accompanied by a legal adult, and should be able to make independent decisions regarding safety precautions and problem-solving. Volunteers do not need prior experience in collecting water quality data, as they will be trained prior to field work, but should have an interest in protecting and monitoring lakes and ponds. Volunteers in this role will be contributing to a long-term dataset, and therefore should be able to commit to sampling at least once per month during the open water season.
Training/support: The volunteer will be provided with training on water quality testing from LSM. Volunteers should plan to attend a training session during the spring, which may be located outside of the Lake Auburn Watershed. LAWPC will provide water quality testing supplies and tools to the volunteer, and any support needed to calibrate or maintain the tools. During the sampling season, volunteers will have support from both LAWPC and LSM staff.
Benefits: Volunteers in this role will help support the data collection efforts of LAWPC in maintaining high water quality of Lake Auburn and the surrounding watershed. They will have a direct role in spotting potential water quality issues, and will contribute to a long-term monitoring dataset that will directly impact the water quality of their sampling water body, as well as drinking water quality of Lake Auburn. Volunteers will be provided with free, hands-on training in water quality data collection.
Clerical Work
Overview: Clerical and administrative volunteers help LAWPC staff with clerical tasks (both in office and remote) that would benefit from an extra set of hands. These volunteers play an important role in increasing the capacity of LAWPC staff, helping us move through administrative tasks more quickly so that we have additional time for projects, outreach, and other watershed protection efforts.
Responsibilities: Clerical and administrative volunteers will assist LAWPC staff on an as-needed basis. Tasks will vary, but may include stuffing envelopes, compiling outreach materials, helping organize closet space, or organizing a spreadsheet.
Qualifications: Volunteers should be able to maintain focus during repetitive tasks and be able to collaborate and communicate with the role supervisor. Tasks may vary, but general familiarity with office tasks – copying, stuffing envelopes, laminating, working with spreadsheets – is helpful. Some tasks may require presence at the LAWPC office during normal working hours, so a flexible schedule is helpful but not required.
Training/support: LAWPC staff will provide volunteers with training for specific tasks as needed. Staff will be available to support volunteers and answer any questions, and may work directly alongside volunteers depending on the task.
Benefits: Volunteers in this role will increase LAWPC staff capacity, which is incredibly helpful in a small organization with multiple responsibilities. Clerical volunteer work is great for folks who enjoy checking things off on a list or enjoy the flow of repetitive tasks. Anyone who feels a sense of accomplishment after organizing a space – this one is for you!
Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities
Fishing Line Collection
Overview: Fishing Line Collection Volunteers will help LAWPC collect and properly dispose of fishing line around the lake in an effort to curb litter and protect wildlife. When fishing line is left on the ground or hanging from trees it can get tangled around the limbs of animals, preventing them from being able to move to find food or escape predators. Birds often misidentify fishing line litter as nest-building material, which can lead to the entanglement of young chicks. In 2013 a concerned citizen started the fishing line collection program after seeing the impacts of line on loons and other birds. He built 14 fishing line collection tubes and stationed them at popular fishing spots around the perimeter of Lake Auburn and the Basin, where they have been utilized by local anglers ever since. Volunteers are needed to periodically check the tubes and empty them of accumulated line and trash throughout fishing season.
Responsibilities: Volunteers are responsible for monitoring and cleaning out the fishing line collection tubes stationed around the lake. Collection schedules are created at the start of each season and are variable depending on the scheduling needs of current volunteers, but volunteers are expected to check their tubes at least every two weeks in the busiest months of fishing season and at least once per month during the shoulder seasons. Volunteers commit to gathering and submitting data to LAWPC in a timely manner, and for communicating issues and needs to LAWPC.
Qualifications: Volunteers should be able to regularly visiting their assigned tubes during the summer and fall. Access to a vehicle is necessary, as the tubes are located at some distance from one another, and many are not in walkable areas. Volunteers should be comfortable working on the edge of a busy road – many tubes are located on the side of Lake Shore Drive, which has a small shoulder and a speed limit of up to 45 miles per hour.
Training/support: LAWPC staff will meet with volunteers to go over the line collection and data recording processes. Volunteers will be provided with a kit that has all necessary materials for line collection and light cleaning/maintenance of tubes.
Benefits: Fishing line collection has a direct positive impact on the wellbeing of birds and other animals that live in and around Lake Auburn. Fishing line collection is a wonderful way to protect wildlife and the ecosystem we share!
Trail Stewardship
Overview: Volunteer Trail Stewards will help LAWPC monitor trails and public access areas across our land. Public use of trails helps connect people to the watershed and develop a desire to steward the land and water. However, trail access can also negatively impact water quality through the accumulation of litter and dog waste, and the increase in erosion from continued trail use. LAWPC cares deeply about balancing land access with water quality protection, and Volunteer Trail Monitors play a vital role in this work. Trail Monitors commit to regularly walking a section of trail, reporting observations to LAWPC staff and providing education to other trail users about responsible trail use. They may also complete small trail maintenance projects as needed, such as trimming back vegetation or picking up litter. Responsibilities: The Volunteer Trail Steward is responsible for walking their chosen trail at least once per month (frequency may be lower during the winter months). Volunteers commit to submitting trail monitoring data to LAWPC in a timely manner. Volunteers in this role are also responsible for the timely communication of issues or needs to LAWPC. Qualifications: Volunteers should be able to regularly visit their chosen trail (more frequently during the spring, summer, and fall). Volunteers should be comfortable hiking in the woods, and should and be able to navigate uneven terrain. Training/support: LAWPC staff will provide volunteers with information about the specific trail, as well as training in the types of observations that are helpful for water quality protection. Volunteers will also be provided with educational materials to hand out to trail users if desired, as well as any trail maintenance tools they may need. Benefits: Trail Stewards play a critical role in the support and maintenance of watershed trails. Stewardship provides a regular rhythm of getting out on the trail, and a chance to see changes over time as the seasons shift.Plant Species Inventorying
Overview: Plant Inventory Volunteers help LAWPC track the richness and range of species of interest on LAWPC parcels. This work helps us maintain the health of native species, plan invasive species removal projects, and provide a resource for landowners to obtain live stakes. This role is great for group volunteering as well! Responsibilities: The Plant Inventory Volunteer will work on LAWPC land, selecting a parcel from the provided list to inventory. Volunteers are responsible for identifying species of interest on their chosen parcel, tagging them, and uploading that information into Survey123. Volunteers are expected to communicate their availability and findings with the role supervisor. Qualifications: Strong plant identification skills or an interest in learning these skills (the ability to identify all target species is not necessary). This position requires the ability to walk for the agreed upon volunteer shift (minimum 30 minutes), write and place tags, and use Survey123 on a personal mobile device. Some parcels do not have cleared trails, so volunteers can expect to walk through a variety of terrain. Training/support: Volunteers will have access to the live staking species identification guide, the invasive species identification guide, as well as a range of videos on the topic. The role supervisor will meet with the volunteer to go over technical training for how to use Survey123 and how to sign up for shifts/log hours. Volunteers are also encouraged to participate in guided events hosted by LAWPC, which may include species identification events. Benefits: Volunteers who participate in this role will strengthen their plant identification skills, and they will learn about the impact of invasive species, live staking, and the impacts of disease agents on native species. Volunteers will be provided with free, hands-on training in plant identification, as well as receive free ID guides.
Educational Materials Creation
Overview: Volunteers in this role will help LAWPC promote outreach and provide educational materials to the public on different components of watershed health and management. Volunteers will help create educational pamphlets and handouts, and assist with developing articles for the LAWPC newsletter as needed.
Responsibilities: Volunteers are responsible for completing educational/outreach materials by the agreed upon deadline. For more technical documents, the volunteer may collaborate with the role supervisor to get feedback on their work and create ideas together. Volunteers in this role will receive emails when new materials are needed, and are expected to communicate their availability and timeframe with the role supervisor.
Qualifications: Educational Materials Volunteers should be interested in community engagement and have strong writing skills. Access to a working computer and the ability to call and collaborate with the role supervisor is needed.
Training/support: The role supervisor will meet with the volunteer to discuss individual project needs, such as topic, formatting, and deadlines, as well as to edit and review the final product. Volunteers will be provided with access to any information and/or documentation that may be helpful for the project.
Benefits: Volunteers in this role will help LAWPC promote outreach and provide more educational materials for the public. This role is great for anyone who enjoys researching topics and sharing their findings with others!