Site Surveying and Cleanup - City Nature Challenge (CNC)

The City Nature Challenge began in 2016 as an 8-day citizen science competition between Los Angeles and San Francisco to document urban biodiversity. It grew into an international event by 2018, and received 3.3 million observations in 2025 identifying over 73,000 species. The CNC is now an annual event that occurs across a 4-day period at the end of April.  

The Trustees is partnering with Mass Audubon, the Buttonwood Park Zoo, and other community organizations to host a variety of CNC events on Friday April 24th through Monday April 27th in some of the beautiful natural spaces of Fall River and New Bedford. This role will ensure that the event sites are clean and free of hazardous materials by conducting a site walk-through prior to the event with a staff member.  

Reports to:  Mobile Engagement staff and Outdoor Educators  

Qualifications: 

• Have reliable transportation to the location 

• Dress in neat and appropriate clothes and footwear for varying weather conditions 

• Ability to identify hazardous materials and properly dispose of them (training included) 

• Ability to walk on a variety of surfaces: grass, pavement, uneven surfaces 

• Ability to pick up lightweight objects from ground level 

• Minimum age: 18 years old 

Responsibilities: 

• Survey your chosen event site and remove any safety concerns or hazardous materials with proper handling and disposal techniques (will be accompanied by staff members) 

• Communicate with event staff about the conditions of the site (slippery, fallen branches, biohazards, etc) 

• Assist with light property clean-up as needed 

• Observance of Trustees code of conduct, safety protocols 

Time Commitment:  

• Training: Attend 1 TTOR volunteer welcome session (phone call), and complete 1 hazardous materials training session (virtual)

• Event support: Sign up for at least 1 City Nature Challenge program slot (please note the different locations and various times before signing up for an event) 

Safety considerations/hazards:  

This position may include exposure to hazardous materials such as needles, broken glass, and sharp objects. Wearing gloves is recommended to reduce the risks associated with hazardous material disposal. Please wear sturdy footwear to mitigate falling hazards related to uneven or slippery surfaces. Be aware of poison ivy, thorns, and bristles that may be present on the property, and always refer to a staff member on site for any questions or concerns.  

Please contact lauren.keohan@thetrustees.org for inquiries regarding this position.

 

What's in our nature? Resiliency. Community. Discovery. Creativity.
Join The Trustees as a volunteer to help protect and take care of the Commonwealth’s greatest treasures and to make nature and the outdoors accessible for all, forever.

More about The Trustees 
Founded by landscape architect Charles Eliot in 1891, The Trustees has, for more than 125 years, been a catalyst for important ideas, endeavors, and progress in Massachusetts. As a steward of distinctive and dynamic places of both historic and cultural value, The Trustees is the nation’s first preservation and conservation organization, and its landscapes and landmarks continue to inspire discussion, innovation, and action today as they did in the past. We are a nonprofit, supported by members, friends and donors and our 116 sites are destinations for residents, members, and visitors alike, welcoming millions of guests annually. www.thetrustees.org. 

 Inclusive Spaces for All
We are committed to providing a welcoming environment for all. Together, alongside our partners and volunteers we are creating inclusive spaces of community for people of all backgrounds to enjoy and preserving these open spaces for everyone, forever. We are committed to inclusion across race, gender, age, religion, identity, ability, and experience.