Volunteer Events

All ages and ability levels are encouraged to sign-up for Genesee Land Trust volunteer events. There will be a job for everyone! Please dress appropriately for working outdoors (sturdy footwear, long pants, sun protection). We also suggest you bring a water bottle and work gloves. Tools and snacks will be provided at most events. Most events require pre-registration so we can contact you with event details or if the event gets canceled.

About Trail Keepers
Trail Keepers is a volunteer group that gets together each month to work on trail and habitat improvement projects on Genesee Land Trust nature preserves. If you’re interested in volunteering outside, picking up some outdoor skills, and meeting others who care about the environment—Trail Keepers is the opportunity for you.

Learn more and sign-up to be notified of Trail Keepers events here.

Upcoming Group Events

Please check back here for volunteer events in April 2025, when our outdoor volunteer season will begin again. Or sign up at the link above to our Trail Keepers email list to be notified.

Individual Volunteer Opportunities

If you’re interested in volunteering on your own, with members of your household, or in smaller groups, please consider the opportunities listed below. If you have questions, please contact our Preserve Manager, Will Macaluso at wmacaluso@geneseelandtrust.org. Thank you for staying safe while helping give back!

One of the easiest volunteer activities that makes a huge impact is cleaning up trash. You are welcome to patrol our properties for garbage, or sign up for special pick-up events we host in the spring and summer. Check out the video below with Preserve Manager Will Macaluso.

TOOLS REQUIRED: Gardening gloves and trash bags—trash grabbers are recommended (contact us if you would like to borrow a pair)
WHERE TO GO: Any of our preserves.
PLEASE REMEMBER: Stay safe and dress appropriately to minimize risks from ticks, poison ivy, and the sun. With questions or to help us track where you were working, call, text, or email Will Macaluso at 585-450-3937 or wmacaluso@geneseelandtrust.org.

Be part of citizen science projects when you visit Genesee Land Trust nature preserves.

Easy and very valuable, citizen science apps collect information from many observers to learn more about the plants and animals who live around us. All you need is to look and listen closely at the nature around you and share what you see via a smartphone. Take a look at some of the best apps for contributing your observations below.

PLEASE REMEMBER: Stay safe and dress appropriately to minimize risks from ticks, poison ivy, and the sun. With questions call, text, or email Will Macaluso at 585-450-3937or wmacaluso@geneseelandtrust.org.

eBird: Share what birds you see or hear when on a walk. Download the app, create an account, look and listen and share your list on eBird. All observations are helpful – from cardinals to warblers! You do not need to be an expert. Learn more about eBird here.

If you’re new to birding check out this great resource from our friends at the Rochester Birding Association.

Seek and iNaturalist: Seek and iNaturalist are sister applications that help you identify the interesting things you see outdoors. When using Seek, your camera identifies species you take photos of. From there, you can post directly to iNaturalist (creating an account is easy to do) and share the photo with regional experts who will help identify your find. Or if you’re a knowledgeable naturalist you can help identify the species photographed by others in your region. These observations help land managers, including Genesee Land Trust, better manage these natural lands. Learn more and sign up here.

iMap Invasives: You can help us and other land managers by digitally ‘tagging’ the locations of invasive species you observe at your local nature preserves, parks, and other green spaces. This app is primarily for users who recognize and can identify invasive species. Get to know some invasive species found in our region here.

Genesee Land Trust knows we have many common invasive species on our properties including garlic mustard, honeysuckle, autumn olive, and multiflora rose; however, you can help us keep an eye out for other invasive species including lesser celandine and Japanese wineberry showing up in new locations. Learn more about iMapInvasives and get started here.

Although not citizen science apps, we recommend checking out these other apps to help you explore the outdoors: Geocaching, AllTrails, Hit the Trail, and Tour Blend.

We invite you to share what you find while at our preserves with these apps, but you can use them anywhere – in the wilderness and in the city – and help scientists learn more about our world.

Specialty Volunteer Projects

Reach out to our Nature Preserve Manager, Will Macaluso, at wmacaluso@geneseelandtrust.org if you have interests and skills in the areas below. It would be a big help!

• Construction Projects- Help us keep trails inviting and accessible at our nature preserves! We’re looking for individuals who have construction experience to help us plan trail improvements such as boardwalks, bridges, and shade structures. If you have experience designing and building these types of features, please reach out!

• Bird Nest Boxes- Help monitor and maintain nest boxes at a number of Genesee Land Trust properties. We will provide location maps and monitoring questions for you to complete.

• Birders- We have several conservation properties we need to capture bird observations on to help inform our habitat management. We will share a list of properties with you to bird and ask you record your observations in eBird. Required skills: intermediate to experienced bird identification skills.

• Plant and Wildlife Observers- We’re interested in knowing what you’re seeing on our nature preserves—wildflowers, butterflies, mammals, fish, ferns, mushrooms, and more. Your observations are always welcome. Check out the ‘Go Digital’ volunteer opportunity above to submit these observations via iNaturalist, eBird, and iMap Invasives.

• Other- Do you have a specific skill or interest in a project that could help improve our trails or nature preserves? Let us know!
  

Your help is greatly appreciated!