Volunteer Scout & Youth Projects
Below are Placer Nature Center project ideas to help fulfill your senior, Eagle and other youth projects. If you would like to suggest projects, please let us know!
ShareThis! Volunteering your time at Placer Nature Center as a Summer Camp Jr. Naturalist or to complete one of the many projects listed below will not only help Placer Nature Center, your volunteering can help you.
If you're a student, Placer Nature Center will give you, at your request, a letter of recommendation to include with your college applications...or even for a job!
Possible Projects
Below are some suggested projects at the nature center, although these projects do not comprise a definitive list, that you can help with. For more information, email volunteer@placernaturecenter.org (Don't forget to include your project ideas, your contact information such as phone numbers, email and the best time to reach you.)
Storage Shed Spruce-up
Our old shed needs to be sanded down and repainted.
Design & Build Passive Solar Window Coverings
These special window shade structures will allow the winter sun to warm the exhibit halls while keeping the hot summer sun out. These will help the nature center save of heating and cooling expenses and better protectthe environment of our exhibits.
Design & Build Permanent Welcome Desk
Currently, we have a make shift desk and side table for the front desk. It would be wonderful to have a nice built-in structure that has space for information and comfortably houses a computer. Design and building will be involved.
Develop and Build Accessibility in the Halls & Trails
Although Placer Nature Center does have a trail accessible by wheelchairs and a special garden for the blind, they need maintenance, care and improvement. New trails will need to lead to the Maidu Village as well as a new Maidu garden that will be installed in the 2009-2010 school year.
Design & Produce a Self-guided Tour Booklet or Signs for Exhibit Halls
Create guidebooks or signage for self-guided tours inside the exhibit halls.
Create & Produce Outdoor Signs
Many of the signs around Placer Nature Center (parking, trail marker, etc.) need to be updated. The nature center is also lacking signage that can warn families about rattle snakes and poison oak.
Develop & Produce a Volunteer Manual
Placer Nature Center needs a good volunteer manual to help with a new volunteer greeters program which will allow access to the exhibit halls at the center during more hours and on weekends.
Create & Produce Permanent Plaques & Signs for Halls
Create permanent plaques and signs for our Native American section of the Main Exhibit Hall.
Parking Lot
When school buses visit the nature center, they sometimes have trouble turning around in our little parking lot. A little trenching, smart thinking and design to add 2 to 3 extra feet will make a BIG difference! We would LOVE to have this done before September 2010!
Install a Drip System
Our new Maidu garden is thirsty! The current drip system needs to be expanded so we can plant some more native plants to teach children about how the Maidu used plants native to this area in their day to day lives.
Storage Space
The center needs some new, easy to access storage for seasonal program materials. Whether it is constructed like a Tuff Shed or a rammed earth/earth bag building, an 8’x8’ or 8’x10’ secure, enclosed, weather-proofed space is much needed!
Glass Doors
Shed some natural light into our office and Main Exhibit Hall! Currently our solid doors create a dark entry way and force us to use artificial lighting during the day as well as creating a potential hazard if someone swings open the door and hits someone! Glass doors will provide a more welcoming entrance, natural light and be safer as kids (and grown-ups) come in and out of the buildings.