For those of you who are interested in becoming a volunteer at Eaton Canyon, there are several options available. First of all, we are always looking for docents to lead groups on tours of the Canyon. No experience or science background whatsoever is required, as there is a comprehensive training course which must be completed in order to qualify. The course covers botany, zoology, geology, meteorology, history, and more, but the subjects are presented in an easy-to-understand format by experts in their fields.
If leading groups is not your style or you have no interest in taking the docent training, there are still many ways in which you can help us. Here are a few of them, but this is not a comprehensive list. For more information, call (626) 398-5420 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily, or e-mail us at volunteers@ecnca.org.
Garden Volunteers - Several people are needed to do light weeding, gentle pruning, and trimming of paths approximately one morning per week to maintain native plants in the Nature Center landscape.
Trail Work Coordinator - One person is needed to monitor and focus volunteer efforts (scout groups, adult volunteers, and others) on nature trail and Park hiking trail maintenance. Start an "Eaton Canyon Trails Crew". This is an as-needed job, but one or two days per month would keep trails in shape.
Photo Monitors - One to several people are needed to revisit and photograph fire recovery sites, matching scenes from earlier slides and prints. This would continue to provide "before" and "after" views for slide programs and displays. Approximately one day per month.
Herbarium Worker - A person is needed to assist in collecting, pressing, and curating Eaton Canyon's plants as vouchers for the herbarium. That person would enter new plants into the existing computer database. There is no specific time commitment, but probably two to three days per month would suffice.
Volunteer Coordinator - This person would be the first line of contact with new volunteers seeking involvement at the Nature Center. The coordinator would be responsible for contacting individuals who come in or call the Center with an interest (docents, community service projects, graffiti removal, Eagle Scout projects, etc.).
Gift Shop & Information Counter Volunteer - Help is need to cover shifts on both weekdays and weekends. A volunteer is stationed at the Information Counter to help with phones and public inquiries, and to stock and sell items from the Gift Shop.
Picnic Site Maintenance - Supplementing the maintenance man, this person checks and cleans up around certain picnic areas, especially before group uses and rentals.
Staff-assisted Park Patrol - Duties include helping staff with park patrols, public relations, informing patrons of county ordinances, and keeping the Natural Area safe.
Aluminum Recycling Engineer - This position is for one person to check aluminum can bins in the building, bag them up, take them to the recycling center, and returning the funds to the ECNCA. Approximately one hour per month (currently filled by Matt Reese).