© 2020 The Trustees of Reservations -- The Trustees is a 501c3 nonprofit organization -- Est. 1891
Volunteer Information | Volunteer@TheTrustees.org
Opportunity Details
Property Steward - Fruitlands
Opportunity Overview:
In 1843, Amos Bronson Alcott and Charles Lane turned a swath of Harvard farmland into a Transcendentalist experiment in subsistence farming and Emersonian self-reliance, named Fruitlands, which ultimately disbanded after only seven months. In 1914, Clara Endicott Sears opened the grounds to the public, establishing a museum in the property’s 1820s farmhouse. Now, the 210-acre landscape encompasses five collections first established by Sears: the original Fruitlands Farmhouse; the Shaker Museum, the first such museum in the country; the Native American Museum, celebrating the history of indigenous peoples; the Art Museum, with a variety of rotating exhibits, contemporary art, and showcasing a combined collection of more than 300 Hudson River School landscape paintings and 19th-century vernacular portraits; and the Wayside Visitor Center, a classroom, education, and exhibition space.
As a Property Steward, you’ll have the opportunity to support and work alongside staff to help keep Fruitlands beautiful for all to enjoy! Our staff are friendly, knowledgeable, communicative, fun and always willing to share their expertise.
Reports to: Stewardship Manager
Covid-19 Volunteer Safety:
The health and safety of Trustees’ volunteers, staff and visitors is our top priority.
Minimum of 1-2 hours, every other week. Six-month commitment required. This is a year-round position.
For more information
Contact the Volunteer Services Team at volunteer@thetrustees.org
To explore other volunteer opportunities, visit our volunteer page at http://volunteer.thetrustees.org/
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.
The Trustees is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and equal employment opportunity for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, age, military service, application for military service, veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law. The Trustees makes reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.
In 1843, Amos Bronson Alcott and Charles Lane turned a swath of Harvard farmland into a Transcendentalist experiment in subsistence farming and Emersonian self-reliance, named Fruitlands, which ultimately disbanded after only seven months. In 1914, Clara Endicott Sears opened the grounds to the public, establishing a museum in the property’s 1820s farmhouse. Now, the 210-acre landscape encompasses five collections first established by Sears: the original Fruitlands Farmhouse; the Shaker Museum, the first such museum in the country; the Native American Museum, celebrating the history of indigenous peoples; the Art Museum, with a variety of rotating exhibits, contemporary art, and showcasing a combined collection of more than 300 Hudson River School landscape paintings and 19th-century vernacular portraits; and the Wayside Visitor Center, a classroom, education, and exhibition space.
As a Property Steward, you’ll have the opportunity to support and work alongside staff to help keep Fruitlands beautiful for all to enjoy! Our staff are friendly, knowledgeable, communicative, fun and always willing to share their expertise.
Reports to: Stewardship Manager
Covid-19 Volunteer Safety:
The health and safety of Trustees’ volunteers, staff and visitors is our top priority.
- If you are not feeling well, please stay home
- If you have been in contact with someone with Covid-19 or someone displaying symptoms of Covid-19, please stay home
- Volunteers will be required to wear masks while on property
- Volunteers will be required to maintain proper social distancing
- Volunteers will be required to wash hands or use hand sanitizer upon arrival to the property
- Walk the trails regularly, talk to visitors about trails and features of the property, and keep a record of anything notable (fallen trees, trail erosion, visitor encounters, wildlife, etc.).
- Remove litter, small branches, and other debris from the trails
- Trim overgrowth of vegetation from encroaching onto trails, as needed
- Report to the Stewardship team, including emailing completed trail reports on a regular basis (at least twice per month)
- Record location of any invasive plants observed
- Be comfortable interacting with visitors and answering questions whenever possible
- Promote upcoming events and programs
- Post program info and stock trailhead kiosks with maps, flyers, etc.
- Property Stewards may assist with trail projects or special events
- Log volunteer hours weekly
- Have reliable transportation to the property
- An interest in conservation
- Ability to complete physically vigorous work
- Enjoy interacting with the public
- Ability to read trail maps
- Ability to work independently and communicate effectively
- Observance of Trustees safety and COVID protocols
- Outdoor experience: hiking, biking, horseback riding, snowshoeing a plus
- Trail maintenance experience a plus
Minimum of 1-2 hours, every other week. Six-month commitment required. This is a year-round position.
For more information
Contact the Volunteer Services Team at volunteer@thetrustees.org
To explore other volunteer opportunities, visit our volunteer page at http://volunteer.thetrustees.org/
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.
The Trustees is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and equal employment opportunity for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, age, military service, application for military service, veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law. The Trustees makes reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.
Stewardship, Civic & Community
Age Minimum (with Adult): 18+, Minimum Age:18+
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- Choose an existing team you're already a member or captain of, or
- Create a new team to sign up.
Signup Questions
Please respond to the following questions in order to signup for this opportunity: