Volunteer Opportunities
April 26 - August 31
Volunteering is one of the best ways that you can help protect your lands and waters from the impacts of invasive species. SLELO PRISM and our partners offer volunteer opportunities seasonally and sometimes throughout the year depending on needs. Attending any of the events hosted by SLELO or our partners count towards achievements with our Volunteer Challenge
Check often as more opportunities will be added as they are received. If you are a SLELO Partner and have a volunteer opportunity to list here contact megan.pistolese@tnc.org.
2023 SLELO PRISM opportunities:
Restoration/Planting Opportunity: CLICK TO REGISTER
What: Install plants as part of a large restoration effort.
When: June 24th-29th @ 9am
Where: Lakeview WMA South Sandy Creek car-top boat launch located at 2234 State Rte 3, Mannsville, NY 13661
Details: Daily planting demonstrations will begin promptly at 9 AM. Volunteers can assist plantings, or assist with photography, registration, and other needs. Volunteers will be teamed up to install plants. No experience is needed and tools will be provided.
Invasive Species Removal Opportunities: CLICK TO REGISTER
What: Manual removal of invasive plants.
Where: Multiple locations in Jefferson, Oswego, and Oneida Counties.
Details: No experience is needed and tools will be provided.
When:
- June 8th Montario Point Boat Launch South Colwell Pond 10 am-12 pm – yellow flag iris removal (Montario Point Road, Henderson, NY)
- July 12th Deer Creek WMA 10 am- 12 pm– swallow-wort removal (Kelly Drive, Richland, NY)
- July 13th Black Pond WMA 10 am- 1 pm– swallow-wort removal (Black Pond Access Road, Henderson, NY)
- July 26th El Dorado Preserve 10 am- 1 pm-yellow flag iris removal (Grand Jean Road, Henderson, NY)
- July 27th Three Mile Bay 10 am- 1 pm-swallow-wort & yellow flag iris removal) (Wheeler Road & Toad Harbor Road, West Monroe, NY)
- August 2nd and 3rd from 10 am- 1 pm-(reserved for alternate dates for the above sites) in the case of bad weather or site conditions.
Aid Water Chestnut Removal Efforts in SLELO PRISM
What: Help manually remove water chestnut.
When: Multiple dates in July and August
Where: Multiple locations in Oneida, Oswego, Jefferson, and St. Lawrence Counties.
Details: Participants may need to supply their own watercraft and life jacket. Some events may have the equipment to borrow.
2023 Partner Events: Attending any of the events hosted by SLELO PRISM and our partners count towards achievements with our Volunteer Challenge
Indian River Lakes Conservancy (IRLC)
Below is a list of upcoming events and volunteer opportunities hosted by IRLC that you can get involved in.
| June 2 | 8:30 am-4 pm | Water Quality Conference |
| June 7 | 4 pm-5 pm | Red Lake Preserve Dedication Ceremony |
| June 17 | 10 am-11 am | Watershed Woofers #1 Baker Woods Preserve |
| June 24 | 9 am-3 pm | Trailside Woodcraft – Kiosk Build |
| July 6 | 6 pm-7 pm | Nature Talks – Trailside Learning Center (Topic: Loons) |
| July 11 – August 11 | 9 am-3 pm | Project WHIRL |
| August 15 | 10 am-11 am | Watershed Woofers #2 Red Lake Preserve |
| July 18 – 20 | 9 am-12 pm | EMD Kids Camp |
| August 6 | 4 pm-8 pm | Celebration of Lakes |
| August 11 | 10 am-12 pm | WHIRL Outreach Day |
| August 17 | 6 pm-7 pm | Nature Talks – Trailside Learning Center (Topic : Edible Gardening) |
| August 26 | 10 am-11 am | Watershed Woofers #3 Ferrone Woods Preserve |
| September 14 | 6 pm-7 pm | Nature Talks – Trailside Learning Center (Topic : Wildlife Rescue) |
| September 16 | 10 am-11 am | Watershed Woofers #4 Grand Lake Reserve |
| September 23 | 11 am-2 pm | Fall Family Fun Day |
| October 7 | 9 am-11 am | Falling Leaves Hike |
| October 14 | 5:30 pm-7 pm | Fairy Walk |
| 4 November | 9 am-12 pm | Fall Stewardship Day |
| December 23 | 4 pm-6 pm | Tree Lighting Ceremony |
Contact megan.pistolese@tnc.org to list your events on our events page and on Facebook.
SLELO PRISM Partner Meeting Schedule: Our partners have decided to meet on a seasonal/quarterly basis. We will meet the third week of these months: January, April, July, and October alternating between Wednesdays and Thursdays, starting at 10 am.
If you are a Partner and want to receive partner meeting invitations and announcements please follow this link.
If you are not a Partner and have an interest in attending a Partner Meeting as a guest, please contact Rob Williams, the PRISM Manager at rwilliams@tnc.org.
Save the Date for 2023 Partner Meetings:
Wednesday, January 19th @ 10 am
Thursday, April 20th @ 10 am (Watertown CCE)
Wednesday, July 19th @ 10 am (TBD)
The PRISM Network hosts a monthly Speaker Series on the last Wednesday of each month (except, July, August, and December).
View the Webinar Schedule & Access Recordings
iMapInvasives holds training webinars after the PRISM Speaker Series from 1 pm-2 pm. Visit the iMap website for details and to register.
View Events Pages of the PRISM Network