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Each year EarthWorks’ volunteers provide about 2000 hours of service restoring Boston's urban wilds. EarthWorks could not achieve the scale of its restoration efforts without the help of hundreds of volunteers each year.

Volunteering for the Urban Wilds Restoration Program is a great way to get outside on the weekend, get dirty, get a workout, have fun, and learn and accomplish something while you’re at it. Activities change with the season and the weather conditions. EarthWorks removes trash year-round, but the rest of our activities in the wilds vary. Volunteers should be prepared for rigorous work, but are strongly encouraged to work at their own pace, take breaks, and drink lots of water.

Volunteer planting trees at Warren Gardens Urban Wild in Roxbury

• Sessions are usually 4 hours.
• Public Transportation can get you to any of our sites.
• Directions and instructions will be provided when you sign up.
• Wear long pants and boots in all seasons. Gloves will be provided.
• Bring water and sunscreen.
• Kids ages 10-14 are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult.

View our events calendar to find a volunteer date for which to sign up.

What do volunteers like about Urban Wilds Restoration? Click here for a volunteer's perspective:

Volunteering for Groups

If you are interested in setting up a volunteering date for your company, club, students, or other organization, please call 617-442-1059 or email Benjamin Crouch. The length of your session can be adjusted. Please call to inquire about any special arrangements.

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People Making a Difference Volunteers at Back of the Hill

Description of Work

Spring
When buds on harmful exotic invasive plants begin breaking it’s time to take action. “Bud break” refers to the beginning of the emergence of new leaves. It is a strategic time of year to remove invasive trees because most of the plants’ energy has moved into the trunk and branches from the roots, where it was stored during the winter. Cutting invasive plants at this time reduces the amount of re-sprouting that can occur. Cutting invasives is part of site preparation for spring planting, which begins at the end of April. Volunteers learn how to recognize invasive plants and distinguish them from beneficial natives. To replace the invasives that are removed, we plant about 500 native trees and shrubs during the spring. Volunteers learn planting techniques and lessons about species selection. We plant from late April through May, which is the time between the last hard frost and the emergence of late spring plants.

Summer
Summer work varies and depends on weather. If there is enough rain, volunteers remove invasive plants in preparation for fall planting, remove trash, and improve trails. If there are drought conditions, volunteers spend a of time watering trees planted during the previous two years. Unlike older trees in the urban wilds, newly planted trees need watering during dry times because their root system is not yet extensive enough.

Fall
Like spring, fall work revolves around planting another 500 trees. We prepare sites by removing invasives and plant trees from late September through late November. Volunteer sessions end for the year just before Thanksgiving. Volunteering in the wilds resumes in April.

Please cal 617-442-1059 or email Benjamin Crouch to sign up, get directions and ask questions.

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