Horshoe Crab
About Us About The Bays Get Involved! Research Restoration Education Public Policy
Volunteer
       2006 Friend of the Bays Award

photo Left, volunteer Volunteer Coordinator Pat Drizd and right, DE Seashore State Park Superintendent, Ken Farrell, on behalf of Delaware State Parks, each receive the 2006 Friend of the Bays award.
photo

       Provide a helping hand!

Volunteers are extremely important to the efforts of the Center for the Inland Bays to restore and preserve our local waterways and surrounding habitats.

The CIB has also worked closely with the Sussex County Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), which has provided numerous volunteers to assist with activities at the James Farm. Also, several local clubs, organizations, and scout groups have offered their time and energy as volunteers. The CIB highlights a "Volunteer of the Quarter" in each of its newsletter publications.

Volunteer Job Descriptions
The CIB offers a variety of volunteer opportunities for people of all ages. Below is a list of activities with which volunteers are providing assistance:

Terrapin Nesting Patrol
The Diamondback Terrapin is native to our watershed. Many try to cross the highway to reach their nesting grounds, and are often killed by the high speed traffic on Route 1. Volunteers patrol the area to help them to safety. Our schedule is done online so volunteers have an easy way to sign up. If you would like to help contact Josh Thompson: 302.226-8105 or email: cluckmaster@hotmail.com
  • Click here to see this year's current schedule.


  • Mowing and weed whacking
    Mow open field areas and trim around gardens and sheds. This is an on going need during the growing season. Volunteers will be given safety and equipment instruction before starting the job.

    Trail Inspection and Maintenance
    Assistance is needed to assure that the trails at James Farm and safe. Volunteers are needed to walk the trails and report any problems they discover. Volunteers may also assist in repairs as needed.

    Tree Care
    Reforestation is under way in some areas of James Farm. Help is needed pruning and clearing weeds from around young trees. In December help will be needed with new tree planting.

    Gardening and Mulching
    Volunteers are needed to help keep established gardens looking their best. This will include weeding, mulching, and pruning plants as needed.

    Beach Grass Planting
    This task involves planting plugs of beach grass along the dune area at the beach at James Farm.

    Assisting with visiting groups
    This is the job for volunteers who like to be outdoors and meet people. May include working with a school group visiting James Farm for a specific lesson or a group of adults taking a trail walk.

    Fence and Boardwalk Repairs
    The fences, boardwalks and observation platforms at James Farm often need repairs. If you have carpentry skills this may be the job for you.

    Work on the Demonstration Oyster Reef
    Work with U of DE to maintain and collect data from the demonstration oyster reef at James Farm.

    Oyster Gardening
    Volunteers are needed to help us raise young oysters in bay waters off your waterfront property. This opportunity also involves water quality monitoring and collecting data on oyster growth and the conditions in which it occurs.

    Species Count
    Help us determine what species live or stop over at James Farm. Good observation skills are needed as well as a willingness to be outdoors.

    Habitat Enhancement
    Help improve habitat for the animals a James Farm. This project will involve habitat enhancement and making habitat enclosures.

    Environmental Education Assistant
    Assist environmental teaching staff with scheduled 7th and 8th grade classes at James Farm. This may involve helping with equipment and supervising the students as they walk the trails.

    Bi-lingual Speaker (Spanish)
    We occasionally need help with Spanish speaking students who come to James Farm for school trips. This is an opportunity for to help a student gain more from their visit by translating the lesson and helping them complete lesson activities.

    Library Management
    Help keep our small research library well organized and accessible. Help us maintain an updated file of newspaper articles that pertain to the inland bays and the work of CIB.

    Administrative /Clerical Help
    Help is needed at the CIB office. This may include copying, collating, and phone answering.

    Wetlands Project Field Crew
    Collect vegetation, soils, hydrology, and land use data in wetlands as a part of field crew for a scientific assessments wetland condition in the Inland Bays Watershed.

    Scientific Data Entry
    Support the research efforts of the CIB. Volunteers are needed to enter data into Microsoft Excel or Access from field datasheets. This task also includes checking for accuracy and performing data management such as backup, sorting, and simple calculations.

    Hosts - at new CIB Building
    We will soon be moving into our new building at the Indian River Inlet. The new building will include a community room with informational displays. This space will be open to the public 9 to 5 Monday - Friday. Hosts are needed to greet visitors and answer questions about the CIB.

    Special Events Presenter
    Represent the Center for the Inland Bays as an exhibit/display attendant at various festivals and events.

    PROJECT SITE DATE
    Mowing and weed whacking James Farm April - October
    Trail inspection and maintenance James Farm Year round
    Tree care – planting and pruning James Farm As needed
    Gardening and mulching James Farm April - October
    Beach grass planting James Farm Spring
    Assisting with visiting groups James Farm As needed
    Fence and boardwalk repairs James Farm As needed
    Work on oyster reef James Farm Year round
    Oyster gardening At your water front Summer
    Species counts James Farm November
    Habitat enhancement James Farm November
    Environmental Education Assistant James Farm September – October and April - June
    Bi-lingual speaker (Spanish) James Farm As needed
    Library management CIB office Year round
    Administrative/clerical help CIB office Year round
    Wetlands Project field crew member Wetlands on public and private property Spring, Summer, Fall 2006
    Scientific data entry CIB office Year round
    Hosts at new CIB building CIB office at Indian River Inlet Beginning January 2006
    Special events presenter Events in the area As needed




    Oyster Gardeners, Dick and Sharon Fox, at their dock in Bethany Beach are raising oysters in Little Assawoman Bay.
    image
    Volunteers Cheryl Rehrig, Helen Hahn and (volunteer) Volunteer Coordinator Pat Drizd lend a hand at the first "Paddle for the Bays" poker kayak event on July 14th.
    image
    We need you!
    For more information about CIB volunteer opportunities, please call our office at
    302.226-8105 or E-mail us at:
    volunteer@inlandbays.org
    Down load our volunteer form & send it in today!
    Volunteers on the marsh for the 2nd Annual Inland Bays Cleanup:
    Bob Weaver (pictured) and his wife, Erin, are the lead gardeners at the Native Plant Demonstration Garden at the new CIB
    image
    Pat Drizd, Volunteer Coordinator for the DE Center for the Inland Bays, talks "TERPS" at the CIB exhibit at the 6th Annual Governor's Wade In Event
    image