Needs From: Volunteer Houston

Come help us advance a concept for eliminating floating/drifting trash in Little White Oak Bayou through Woodland Park!

Keeping Woodland Park Nature Preserve clean is an on-going challenge for the community. Regular cleanup events help, but the amount of trash and debris that finds its way onto the banks of Little White Oak Bayou and into trees and shrubs is unmanageable.

Our goal for the coming year is to determine a path forward and kick off a feasibility study.

We're looking for 1-5 people with related experience and/or anyone willing to learn! You'll need research and analytical skills, aptitude for talking tech, and ability to talk with local officials.

Expectations:

One person will serve as lead/Director. Per our bylaws, this person must be a member of Friends of Woodland Park.

Review options evaluation prepared in 2012 and funded by Bridgestone.

Gain awareness/understanding of flood mitigation plans for Little White Oak Bayou and plans to reconstruct culvert under I-45 as part of TxDOTs North Houston Highway Improvement Program (NHHIP).

Identify best practices used by other organizations in the Houston area and beyond. 

Work with FWP board and other stakeholders and experts to identify one or more preferred concepts for further exploration. Options could include short term (pre-NHHIP) solutions and long term (post NHHIP) solutions. 

Draft scope of feasibility study for preferred concept(s). 

Identify lead organization(s) to implement a pilot or ongoing project, and funding required.

Support lead organization in pilot/project implementation.

Commitment: minimum 1 year

For more information, contact Jennifer Ostlind, FWP Volunteer Coordinator, at Jennifer@friendsofwoodlandpark.org .

Friends of Woodland Park (FWP) is looking for 1 or 2 people to design 6-10 interpretative signs to be located throughout the Woodland Park Nature Preserve.

Designer(s) would work closely with FWP board and Houston Parks and Recreation Department (HPARD) to develop designs for signs explaining features, wildlife, and the history of Woodland Park Nature Preserve. 

FWP board will provide “mock-ups” and visual aids (photos. maps, etc)

Designer(s) will need to follow HPARD guidelines and specifications for signage. 

If applicable, time spent would be considered an “in-kind” donation and they are eligible to be listed as a “Corporate Sponsor”.

For more information, contact Jennifer Ostlind, Friends of Woodland Park Volunteer Coordinator, at Jennifer@Friendsofwoodlandpark.org.

Our Volunteer Docent Program is a volunteer level that can be reached by individuals that are interested in having a more autonomous experience representing the Arboretum and our missions. All Docent activities require onboarding, additional trainings, training time as a 'Shadow' to learn from current Docents and Arboretum Staff, and a commitment of at least 20 Docent specific volunteer hours a year. Examples of Docent opportunities include working as Guide for our Field Trip Experiences, leading guided nature hikes, leading night hikes, outreach, and more.

This is an ongoing opportunity that would require you onboarding as an Arboretum Volunteer and signing up for opportunities through our own volunteer portal.

Learn more at our Docent Open House & Breakfast: https://houstonarboretum.org/event/docent-recruitment-open-house-breakfast/

The Friends of Woodland Park (FWP) is seeking a Garden Director as a non-voting member of
FWP with responsibility for the garden areas surrounding the community center, Firefly Field
garden, the entrances to Woodland Park and other possible areas in the future. The Garden
Director will liaise with one or more FWP Board members. Attendance at FWP board meetings
is not required unless requested by the board. A commitment of 12 months is preferred.

Expectations Include:
Maintain all current beds which may include adding more plants as needed.
Oversee design of future beds.
Work with volunteer coordinator to solicit volunteers and organize seasonal workdays for garden maintenance.
Coordinate with Girl Scout and Boy Scout troop leaders if they ask to volunteer for required
required service hours.
Suggest to the board new ways to enhance the attractiveness of the park using plants.
Consider the creation of educational activities for children focused on gardening.
Follow Houston Parks and Recreation Department guidelines for garden maintenance and hosting events.

Commitment: 1 year minimum is preferred

For more information contact Jennifer Ostlind, Friends of Woodland Park Volunteer
Coordinator, at Jennifer@friendsofwoodlandpark.org.