Volunteering

Welcome. Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Environmental Studies on the Piedmont. The contributions, dedication and commitments of our volunteers have been a foundation of ES since its origin and we are always looking for individuals who want to make a serious contribution to environmental education, research and conservation in their own community! Opportunities to donate your valuable time and effort are many and varied, ranging from fieldwork, to construction, to office work, to writing and veterinary services. Whether you have just a little time or a lot, whether you want to get down and dirty or stay clean and help with documentation, we're bound to have a place for you! Volunteers are a fundamental part of the Environmental Studies Team...we can’t do it without you!

This section will introduce you to our mission and history and will provide you with not only ideas as to how you can help us, but also the guidelines and policies which are the backbone of ES. We look forward to your participation at Environmental Studies on the Piedmont.

Our mission is to promote awareness, discovery and conservation of our diverse natural world. We invite you to be part of our mission, to participate and enjoy the rewards of this important endeavor.

Our History and Location Located just north of Warrenton, in Fauquier County, Virginia, the Environmental Studies’ field station is a 900+ acre tract in the geographical area known as the northern Piedmont. Our field station topography is one of rolling hills and valleys, and is home to a diversity of habitats including mixed upland deciduous forest, meadow, swamp (forested wetland), natural and constructed unforested wetlands, vernal pools, springs, several small seasonal streams, one small all-season stream, and two small lakes. In 1989 farming activities ceased on the northernmost parcel of our field station. This tract, known as the old Clifton Farm, had indeed been farmed for over 200 years, and restoring and managing it for wildlife habitat has been no easy feat. But, the increase in wildlife diversity over the past 20 years has been encouraging and we are committed to continued habitat restoration. Although the field station is not open to the public, various outdoor Community Events are staged at the field station throughout the year to acquaint regional area residents with the species that may be found in their own backyards.

Who We Are Environmental Studies is a division of the International Academy of Preventive Medicine, a 501 (c) (3), a non-profit that was founded by the late Dr. Murdock Head, on August 28, 1985. Our current staff is comprised of:

• Dr. Tom Wood, Director
• Cindy Shea, Assistant Director
• H.T. Anderson, Field Station Manager
• Sean Campbell, Field Station Biologist
• German Perilla, Bee Biologist
• Sarah Itoh, Bee Assistant
• Lisa LaCivita, Environmental Educator

You will also meet some of our IAPM Staff:

• Susie Cooper, Director
• Feliecia Brooks, Administrator
• Sue Marshall, House Manager

As you can see, we have a small staff. We frequently work in the field, and may not always be in the office during normal business hours, so if you are scheduled to volunteer and cannot make it, please leave us a message. Additionally, if you would like to stop by at times when you are not scheduled to volunteer, please let us know. Since we are closed to the public, it is important that we know who might be visiting our property.

Volunteer Opportunities at Environmental Studies

In the Field: Want to experience nature literally first hand? Do you like the outdoors and the thrill of discovery? Volunteer to assist us in the field! Our field work opportunities are a mix of periodic, seasonal and year-round activities; most emphasize observation and note taking skills. Here are a few of them:

• Surveying swans, geese and ducks
• Checking waterfowl nests and bird nest boxes
• Caretaking swans in our swan collection
• Observing swan and goose behavior
• Observing wildlife at our monitoring stations
• Surveying dragonflies and butterflies
• Assisting with water quality monitoring
• Monitoring butterfly gardens
• Surveying plants, diseases and parasites
• Assisting with habitat restoration projects
• Providing plant care and helping to eradicate invasive species on the field station.
• Assisting with ongoing research projects

In the Office: It’s not everyone’s cup of tea to tramp around doing field work or assist outdoors in all sorts of weather, and for that we’re thankful, since we need just as much help indoors! From simple administrative tasks to writing up research notes, these activities are usually the most time flexible and easy to work into your own schedule:

• Cataloging our library materials and photo files
• Preparing mailings and brochures
• Creating graphic arts projects
• Entering data into the computer
• Helping with event preparations
• Researching records
• Programming databases
• Writing short articles

Construction & Maintenance: Sometimes we just need plain old-fashioned muscle power to help clear trails, put up fences, or tear out invasive species. Other times we need skilled volunteers to help operate machinery or build or repair facilities. These projects are usually one-time affairs and we urgently need a pool of people to call upon when something needs to get done, especially on week days, not just on weekends.

Special Services: We also rely heavily on the generosity of professionals who can donate time and provide pro bono services, or services at significantly reduced cost. This allows us to do projects that would otherwise not be possible, because of the high cost of professional fees. The areas we always seek support with are:

• Veterinary care and necropsy
• Aerial radio tracking and surveys (pilots, aircraft owners)
• Licensed wildlife rehabilitators with holding facilities for large waterfowl
• Taxidermists to prepare specimens for our education programs
• Sewing ability (with machine)
• Earth moving equipment and operators
• Grant writing

Volunteer Application Process: The process is short and friendly. We try to get you on-board as soon as we can.

Qualifications: There are no particular skill qualifications required to volunteer for ES. But, because ES is an active scientific research group with its headquarters and field station on private property, we do have a short application and interview process. We look for high caliber and high standards of conduct in applicants. We need people who are enthusiastic and reliable, who don’t mind working independently, can work accurately without close supervision, who honor commitments, have a high degree of integrity and can provide references. Generally, ES volunteers are college students or adults. We may consider minors who want to volunteer, who have parental permission.

Application Form and Interview: After submitting an application, the Volunteer Coordinator will call the applicant to set up an interview. This way we can see if the applicant has good potential for success in our program, and we can make the best match of interests and abilities with the opportunities available. It also allows the applicant to ask in-depth questions about our program.

Orientation and Training: After acceptance into the Volunteer Program, new volunteers must attend a Volunteer Orientation before beginning work. This is a short orientation session in which the volunteer will receive a complete tour of Environmental Studies, learn about safety standards and can ask any and all questions they might have. Some job areas will require additional training (and qualification), which will be provided as needed. Volunteers are welcome to assist in multiple areas.

Volunteer Recognition: Volunteers, whose value can never be overrated, are an integral part of any successful research team. We try to show our deep appreciation and since we track volunteer hours, job experience and qualifications achieved; we can provide references for our volunteers upon request.

Policies and Procedures

Attendance & Time: Your commitment to ES is centered on your volunteer attendance. We count on you to be here when scheduled and plan accordingly. If you are unable to be present on your scheduled day, please let your supervisor know. When you are here, it is vitally important that you fill out the Volunteer Hours time sheet. Volunteers make essential contributions that can be concretely measured in man-hours and dollars. A track record of volunteer support not only helps us do more with our grant dollars, but also makes us more competitive for grant awards.
Please remember, we are not open to the public on a regular basis, only for specific events. That means that we need to know if anyone comes on the property. We will always assume that you will arrive on your scheduled days, but if there is any change you will need to let us know.

Safety Around ES If you have any health issues, such as epilepsy, or any allergies, (to nuts or insects, for instance), it is imperative that you let us know. It is for your own safety. This information will be strictly confidential.
Cell phone reception is somewhat unreliable on our property, so if you will be in out the field, please check in with the Assistant Director. Walkie-talkies are available for field work. We are an environmental field station, where the paths are uneven, where there are bugs and bees and an occasional snake. While we have never had a serious injury here, it’s better to be prepared. We have the requisite First Aid kit, and volunteers should learn where they are located, but if there is anything more demanding, do not hesitate, go directly to the Fauquier Hospital Emergency Room:

• Fauquier Hospital
• 500 Hospital Drive
• Warrenton, VA 20186
• 540-316-5000

Dress Code Volunteers are representatives of ES and are responsible for presenting a positive image to constituents and the community. We are a small close-knit organization, but operate in a professional manner: we ask that volunteers follow the same dress code that our employees do: casual attire appropriate for the conditions and performance of their duties, but please, no tank tops, halter tops, no t-shirts with offensive sayings, and all applicable body parts be covered.

Conduct Our field station is a managed land property. It is imperative that we adhere to certain stewardship practices for the welfare of our wildlife and our land. Please be respectful of these practices:

• No dogs or cats on the property (except guide dogs)
• No smoking or lighting of fires
• No fishing or harvesting of animals or plants
• ES provides a drug-free, healthy, and safe environment. While on our premises and while conducting ES-related activities, a volunteer may not use, possess, distribute, sell or be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs.

Communication Because we are a small group, we hope you find it easy to get answers and learn from our professionals. You can always take a look at our website for upcoming events, www.envstudies.org. And we have posted calendars in both the farmhouse and the trailer with upcoming events.