Experience the joy of teaching...
For more than 30 years, the Trail Guides of Flat Rock Brook have taught nature study classes outdoors to elementary school children from area towns. Today, Trail Guides teach thousands of students each year of all ages groups. This innovative volunteer program is seeking new volunteer teachers. If you have a special interest in nature and the outdoors, enjoy sharing your knowledge with children, and would like to learn more about the natural world, you may enjoy participating in Flat Rock Brook's volunteer Trail Guide program.
The training program is free. Sessions are held in March, April and May, September and October with indoor lectures and outside explorations on the trails. New recruits then observe experienced guides teaching children on nature walks. Graduated trail guides lead at least five nature walks weekday mornings or afternoons in April, May, June and at least five in September, October, and November. Trail Guides also participate in educational workshops and field trips to various natural areas throughout the region to help broaden their knowledge. Contact education director Jill Bennetta 201 567-1265 ext. 203 if you are interested in joining this program.
Share your green thumb ...
The Flat Rock gardens are works in progress, needing upkeep, maintenance and new ideas—and we always need volunteers. The Gardeners work on our gardens, hold meetings, seminars and field trips. Interested gardeners—new or experienced —are invited to attend. The Gardeners work on our gardens, hold meetings, seminars, and field trips. Interested gardeners—new or experienced —are invited to participate.
The Gardenerss meet every other Thursday beginning March 25 and through the month of October. and focus on garden care through the different seasons. The Gardeners learn more about their craft by maintaining and caring for the native plant gardens at the Nature Center. They use integrated pest management gardening techniques and advocate the use of native plants to attract beneficial insects and other wildlife, and low maintenance ground covers to replace thirsty high care lawns. To join the Gardeners, email Kathy Silberstein.
Serve on a committee...
Any member is invited to serve on a committee. Flat Rock Brook's committees serve an important role at keeping Flat Rock Brook moving forward. Call Sandy at 201 567-1265. She will put you in touch with the appropriate committee chair. It is not necessary to fill out a volunteer form in order to join a committee. The following committees are seeking new members:
Membership - works to increase Flat Rock Brook's membership.
Development - Organizes Flat Rock Brook's fund raising effort.
Land Stewardship - Addresses issues of land maintenance and preservation.
Nature Day - Plan Flat Rock Brook’s annual celebration of nature in May.
Holiday Sale - Plans Flat Rock Brook's annual fundraising event
Publicity - publicizes Flat Rock Brook's programs, Special Events, and news to the media and to our membership.
Building - monitors the condition of Flat Rock Brook’s building and recommends necessary repairs and modifications.
Help plan a Special Event ...
The Holiday Sale
The Holiday Sale and Silent Auction has been a major annual fundraiser for Flat Rock Brook since our first sale in 1975. Today, dozens of volunteers participate in various aspects of the sale. There is work for many hands, and a lot of fun to be had as well. A great way to make new friends and help Flat Rock Brook at the same time! Call Sandy at 201 567-1265 and sign up now! Here are some of the ways you can help:
Silent Auction: Help obtain donations, work on the catalogue.
Bake Sale: Bake a cake, cookies, or other goodies for sale.
Gifts: Help select, inventory, and assemble gift merchandise.
Critter Crafters: Create tree decorations from natural materials at a one-day session in the fall. Make one to take home and more for Flat Rock Brook (See the fall newsletter for more details.)
Publicity: Design posters and postcards to publicize the event to our members and the community at large.
Salesperson: Spend a few hours during the sale as a cashier or floor person.
Setup and Breakdown
Nature Day
Flat Rock Brook's celebration of nature in May brings hundreds of families to the Nature Center for a day of outdoor fun. Our staff and volunteers make it all happen. Contact Sandy at 201 567-1265 to sign up. We need volunteers to serve on the committee to plan the event and to perform the following tasks on the day itself:
Setup and Breakdown
Canoe Paddlers
Helpers for children’s games, crafts, and activities
Distribute posters far and wide
Cashiers and Reception Desk
Help preserve the land ...
Assist our land manager in Land Management projects to help preserve the Nature Center property.
Join Ryan Hasko for beautification projects at Flat Rock Brook. We will supply refreshments, gloves, tools, and any other necessary supplies, and all you have to bring is your desire to help Flat Rock Brook. Call the Flat Rock Brook office at 201 567-1265.
Invasive Species — If you would like to help manage invasive species, contact the Flat Rock Brook office for information. We would like to assemble a crew of dedicated and knowledgeable volunteers to focus on controlling invasive plants throughout Flat Rock Brook’s property
Many hands are needed ...
Mail Crew
Join Flat Rock Brook's mail group. These amazing volunteers have lots of fun and perform the essential task of keeping our membership up to date on what's happening at Flat Rock Brook by organizing our bulk mailings, which include the quarterly newsletter, notifications of Special Events, membership renewals and fundraising solicitations.We provide lunch! Call Sandy at 201 567-1265.
Companies and Groups
Many companies or organizations have volunteer groups that help local organizations with a variety of projects. Recently volunteers from Starbucks, KPMG of Montvale and Glaxo Smith-Kline have helped Flat Rock Brook with land management projects, the Bell Telephone Pioneers built our boardwalk trail, and a group of Boy Scouts refurbished our aviary. If you are part of a volunteer group call Land Manager, Ryan Hasko 201-567-1265 to discuss the available projects might be suited to your group.
