Filtering by: Volunteer Opportunities
![CANCELED DUE TO RAIN: Earth Day Stewardship Series: Volunteer with FOPOS // Saturday April 25th]()
Canceled due to rain
This spring, we’re calling for volunteers to help plant over 400 native trees and shrubs. Be a part of a local effort to advance long-term goals for climate resilience and wildlife habitat restoration. This 45-acre forest restoration project in Community Park North is a joint initiative between the Municipality of Princeton and FOPOS, and it is funded in part by a Natural Climate Solutions grant from the NJDEP. From majestic canopy trees like white oak, red maple, and mockernut hickory to beautiful understory species such as redbud, flowering dogwood, and blackhaw viburnum, you’ll be helping rebuild a thriving, resilient ecosystem. No experience needed!
Volunteer with Friends of Princeton Open Space on Saturday, April 25th. There will be two volunteer sessions; the morning session is from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., and the afternoon session is from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Come to one or both. Bring a friend and groups are welcome!
![Earth Day Stewardship Series: Volunteer with FOPOS // Saturday April 21st]()
REGISTER TO VOLUNTEER
This spring, we’re calling for volunteers to help plant over 400 native trees and shrubs. Be a part of a local effort to advance long-term goals for climate resilience and wildlife habitat restoration. This 45-acre forest restoration project in Community Park North is a joint initiative between the Municipality of Princeton and FOPOS, and it is funded in part by a Natural Climate Solutions grant from the NJDEP. From majestic canopy trees like white oak, red maple, and mockernut hickory to beautiful understory species such as redbud, flowering dogwood, and blackhaw viburnum, you’ll be helping rebuild a thriving, resilient ecosystem. No experience needed!
Volunteer with Friends of Princeton Open Space on Tuesday, April 21st, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Come to one or both. Bring a friend and groups are welcome!
![Canceled: Foraging Invasives as Stewardship: Garlic Mustard // Sunday, April 19th]()
REGISTER FOR GARLIC MUSTARD FORAGING
Join the Friends of Princeton Open Space (FOPOS) and local experts Matt and Shannon for a garlic mustard foraging & land stewardship session at the Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve in Princeton.
During this stewardship session, participants will learn about the origins of garlic mustard and how to identify this plant. We will spend some time removing this tasty, but invasive plant that threatens the biodiversity at the Preserve and crowds out native plants. Folks will be able to take their garlic mustard harvest home, as well as taste some homemade garlic mustard recipes (compliments of Matt and Shannon). Recipes will be shared with participants so that you too can make these unique and delicious recipes at home.
![Earth Day Stewardship Series: Volunteer with FOPOS // Saturday April 18th]()
REGISTER TO VOLUNTEER
This spring, we’re calling for volunteers to help plant over 400 native trees and shrubs. Be a part of a local effort to advance long-term goals for climate resilience and wildlife habitat restoration. This 45-acre forest restoration project in Community Park North is a joint initiative between the Municipality of Princeton and FOPOS, and it is funded in part by a Natural Climate Solutions grant from the NJDEP. From majestic canopy trees like white oak, red maple, and mockernut hickory to beautiful understory species such as redbud, flowering dogwood, and blackhaw viburnum, you’ll be helping rebuild a thriving, resilient ecosystem. No experience needed!
Volunteer with Friends of Princeton Open Space on Saturday, April 18th. There will be two volunteer sessions; the morning session is from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., and the afternoon session is from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Come to one or both. Bring a friend and groups are welcome!
![Foraging Invasives as Stewardship: Garlic Mustard // Saturday, April 11th]()
REGISTER FOR GARLIC MUSTARD FORAGING
Join the Friends of Princeton Open Space (FOPOS) and local experts Matt and Shannon for a garlic mustard foraging & land stewardship session at the Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve in Princeton.
During this stewardship session, participants will learn about the origins of garlic mustard and how to identify this plant. We will spend some time removing this tasty, but invasive plant that threatens the biodiversity at the Preserve and crowds out native plants. Folks will be able to take their garlic mustard harvest home, as well as taste some homemade garlic mustard recipes (compliments of Matt and Shannon). Recipes will be shared with participants so that you too can make these unique and delicious recipes at home.
![Earth Day Stewardship Series: Volunteer with FOPOS // Saturday April 4th]()
REGISTER TO VOLUNTEER
Celebrate Earth Day all month long. Volunteer with Friends of Princeton Open Space at the Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve. Join us as we work in our forest or riparian restoration project areas for critical tasks such as invasive species removal, spring planting, or installing cages around native plants to protect them from deer & beaver browse.
Volunteer with Friends of Princeton Open Space on Saturday, April 4th. There will be two volunteer sessions; the morning session is from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., and the afternoon session is from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Come to one or both. Bring a friend and groups are welcome!
![FOPOS Land Stewardship Volunteer Day // Saturday March 21st]()
REGISTER TO VOLUNTEER
Join FOPOS for a land stewardship volunteer session at the Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve in Princeton on Saturday, March 21st. Volunteers will work under the guidance of the FOPOS stewardship staff to perform ecological restoration work and invasive plant removal.
We have two volunteer sessions: 10AM-12PM and 1PM-3PM. You are welcome to attend one or both sessions. Groups welcome!
![FOPOS Weekday Stewardship Volunteer Session // Wednesday March 18th]()
REGISTER TO VOLUNTEER
Join FOPOS for a land stewardship volunteer session at the Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve in Princeton on Wednesday, March 18th from 10AM-12PM. Volunteers will work under the guidance of the FOPOS stewardship staff to perform ecological restoration work and invasive plant removal.
![FOPOS Land Stewardship Volunteer Day // Saturday March 7th]()
REGISTER TO VOLUNTEER
Join FOPOS for a land stewardship volunteer session at the Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve in Princeton on Saturday, March 7th. Volunteers will work under the guidance of the FOPOS stewardship staff to perform ecological restoration work and invasive plant removal.
We have two volunteer sessions: 10AM-12PM and 1PM-3PM. You are welcome to attend one or both sessions. Groups welcome!
![Canceled -- FOPOS Winter Tree Tenders Volunteer Training // February 28th 2026]()
CANCELED due to poor site conditions.
Join the FOPOS Tree Tenders this winter for stewardship training that prepares volunteers to work independently at the Preserve. Attend a Tree Tenders training session on Saturday, February 28th, from 11 am to 1 pm, and get oriented to the work this season.
As a volunteer Tree Tender, you'll support the health of the Preserve’s native trees and shrubs by gently caring for young plantings, conducting invasive plant removal, clearing invasive vines from protective cages, and keeping an eye on our newest restoration areas. Tree Tenders will also help monitor trails and deer exclusion fences. Volunteers in these roles will walk the trails, patch small fence issues, and report any significant damage to staff. Ideally, monitoring would happen weekly (or biweekly) to help us meet our stewardship goals this season. Adults may work independently as a Tree Tender, while minors must work under the supervision of a parent or guardian. At our training sessions, the FOPOS Director of Nature Resources and Stewardship will orient you to the tasks. You can attend one or multiple training sessions until you feel comfortable working independently.
REGISTER FOR TREE TENDER VOLUNTEER TRAINING
![Canceled -- LOVE Your Park Day: FOPOS Land Stewardship Volunteer Sessions // February 28th]()
CANCELED due to poor site conditions.
Show your LOVE for the Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve! Join the Friends of Princeton Open Space (FOPOS) for a volunteer stewardship session on Saturday, February 28th, 2026.
Volunteers will work under the guidance of the FOPOS stewardship staff to perform ecosystem restoration and invasive species removal in the Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve. If you have tools and can bring them along, please do!
We have two volunteer sessions: 10AM-12PM and 1PM-3PM. Please pick the time slot that works best for you! You are also welcome to attend both sessions. Groups welcome!
![FOPOS Winter Tree Tenders Volunteer Training // January 24th 2026]()
Join the Friends of Princeton Open Space (FOPOS) this winter as a volunteer Tree Tender!
Looking to lend a hand this winter? Join the FOPOS Tree Tenders and nurture the forest through its peaceful winter season. Attend a Tree Tenders training session on Saturday, January 24th, from 11 am to 1 pm, and get oriented to the work this season.
As a Tree Tender, you'll support the health of the Preserve’s native trees and shrubs by gently caring for young plantings, conducting invasive plant removal, using hand pruners to clear invasive vines from protective cages, and keeping an eye on our newest restoration areas. Tree Tenders will also help with regular trail and deer exclusion-fence monitoring. Volunteers in these roles will walk and monitor trails, patch small fence issues, and report any significant damage to staff. Ideally, monitoring would happen weekly (or biweekly) to help us meet our stewardship goals this season. Adults may work independently, while minors will be paired with a partner and check in with FOPOS staff before and after their volunteer shift.
REGISTER FOR TREE TENDER VOLUNTEER TRAINING
![POSTPONED MLK Day of Service: FOPOS Land Stewardship Volunteer Session // 1.24.2026]()
POSTPONED to Saturday, January 24th from Monday, January 19th, 2026 due to weather conditions
Join the Friends of Princeton Open Space (FOPOS) on MLK Day for a volunteer land stewardship session on Saturday, January 24th, 2026, and honor Dr. King's dedication to service and community.
Volunteers will work under the guidance of the FOPOS stewardship staff to perform ecosystem restoration and invasive species removal in the Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve.
We have two volunteer sessions: 10AM-12PM and 1PM-3PM. Please pick the time slot that works best for you! You are also welcome to attend both sessions. Groups welcome!
REGISTER TO VOLUNTEER
![FOPOS Winter Tree Tenders Volunteer Training // January 6th 2026]()
Join the Friends of Princeton Open Space (FOPOS) this winter as a volunteer Tree Tender!
Looking to lend a hand this winter? Join the FOPOS Tree Tenders and nurture the forest through its peaceful winter season. Attend a Tree Tenders training session on Tuesday, January 6th, from 11 am to 1 pm, and get oriented to the work this season.
As a Tree Tender, you'll support the health of the Preserve’s native trees and shrubs by gently caring for young plantings, conducting invasive plant removal, using hand pruners to clear invasive vines from protective cages, and keeping an eye on our newest restoration areas. Tree Tenders will also help with regular trail and deer exclusion-fence monitoring. Volunteers in these roles will walk and monitor trails, patch small fence issues, and report any significant damage to staff. Ideally, monitoring would happen weekly (or biweekly) to help us meet our stewardship goals this season. Adults may work independently, while minors will be paired with a partner and check in with FOPOS staff before and after their volunteer shift.
REGISTER FOR TREE TENDER VOLUNTEER TRAINING
![FOPOS Winter Tree Tenders Volunteer Training // December 16th 2025]()
Join the Friends of Princeton Open Space (FOPOS) this winter as a volunteer Tree Tender!
Looking to lend a hand this winter? Join the FOPOS Tree Tenders and nurture the forest through its peaceful winter season. Attend a Tree Tenders training session on Tuesday, December 16th, from 11 am to 1 pm, and get oriented to the work this season.
As a Tree Tender, you'll support the health of the Preserve’s native trees and shrubs by gently caring for young plantings, conducting invasive plant removal, using hand pruners to clear invasive vines from protective cages, and keeping an eye on our newest restoration areas. Tree Tenders will also help with regular trail and deer exclusion-fence monitoring. Volunteers in these roles will walk and monitor trails, patch small fence issues, and report any significant damage to staff. Ideally, monitoring would happen weekly (or biweekly) to help us meet our stewardship goals this season. Adults may work independently, while minors will be paired with a partner and check in with FOPOS staff before and after their volunteer shift.
Register for this volunteer session.
