Volunteering with SLELO

"Everyone had fun and learned a lot and the event resulted in me recruiting a volunteer to help with the hand harvesting of the milfoil later in the fall."

"In our experience, it’s the involvement of the community that aids to the success of invasive species control. We enjoy volunteering with SLELO and think others would too."

"I can’t emphasize enough how important educating yourself about invasive species can help."

"Volunteering with SLELO has given me a great deal of satisfaction. I’ve learned how I can protect my favorite fishing and hiking spots from the impacts of invasive species."

"My family enjoys hiking and we make it a point to keep a look out for invasive species out on the trails. This is our way of protecting our favorite hiking spots."

"While helping out hemlock trees, volunteering provided an outlet for teamwork, nature therapy, cold weather exercise and incentive to plan more adventures, local and afar."

Every season, volunteers across the SLELO region help protect the places we all cherish—monitoring for invasive species, restoring habitats, and supporting the health of our lands and waters. Your commitment makes a real difference, and we’re excited to celebrate everything you’ve contributed. If you’ve volunteerd with us before, please join us for a Volunteer Appreciation Event:

Saturday, September 26th, 2026
Begins at 10:00 AM and ending by 2 PM (tentative on hike)
Whetstone Gulf State Park – Beach House, located at 6065 West Road, Lowville, NY 13367

Volunteer Engagement & Impact Structure

We’ve launched a new way to recognize and celebrate the incredible contributions of our volunteers. Through a five-tier achievement system outlined below, volunteers earn recognition for their participation, stewardship, community science efforts, trainings, and conservation impact.

The first step in the journey, focused on learning, curiosity, and connection. Recognizes volunteers who are beginning to make a difference through conservation learning.

Achievement Criteria:

Fill out form above to join our volunteer listserve and Pledge to Protect

Building skills and commitment through participation and stewardship.

Achievement Criteria:

All above criteria
Participate in at least 1 activity or event in any year
Lifetime hours ≥ 1

Demonstrates a sustained commitment through service & community science platform participation.

Achievement Criteria:

All above criteria
Become an Imapinvasives and/or iNaturalist user & join SLELO PRISM projects
Years active = 3+

Committed to learning and making meaningful contributions to conservation outcomes.

Achievement Criteria:

All above criteria
Years Active = 4+
Data contributed (iMap or iNat)
Attended land or water protector session(s)

This represents the highest level of service and commitment within the program. Recognizes those who turn their knowledge into meaningful action.

Achievement Criteria:

All above criteria
Adopted a Trail and/or Waterbody to survey for and report invasive species

SLELO PRISM

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Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer Engagement & Impact Structure

We’ve launched a new way to recognize and celebrate the incredible contributions of our volunteers. Through a five-tier achievement system outlined below, volunteers earn recognition for their participation, stewardship, community science efforts, trainings, and conservation impact.

The first step in the journey, focused on learning, curiosity, and connection. Recognizes volunteers who are beginning to make a difference through conservation learning.

Achievement Criteria:

Fill out form above to join our volunteer listserve and Pledge to Protect

Building skills and commitment through participation and stewardship.

Achievement Criteria:

All above criteria

Participate in at least 1 activity or event in any year

Lifetime hours ≥ 1

Demonstrates a sustained commitment through service & community science platform participation.

Achievement Criteria:

All above criteria

Become an Imapinvasives and/or iNaturalist user & join SLELO PRISM projects

Years active = 3+

Committed to learning and making meaningful contributions to conservation outcomes.

Achievement Criteria:

All above criteria

Years Active = 4+

Data contributed (iMap or iNat)

Attended land or water protector session(s)

This represents the highest level of service and commitment within the program. Recognizes those who turn their knowledge into meaningful action.

Achievement Criteria:

All above criteria

Adopted a Trail and/or Waterbody to survey for and report invasive species

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