Opportunities From: Delaware State Parks

Note: This opportunity is only for registrants in the Delaware Master Naturalist Program—a certification offered in partnership by the University of Delaware Cooperative Extension and Delaware Nature Society—or certified Delaware Master Naturalists.

The Delaware Master Naturalist Program is a remarkable opportunity for professionals as well as enthusiasts to become a certified Master Naturalist. It requires registrants to complete 40 hours of service time with a Local Organizing Partner (LOP) like Delaware State Parks to achieve certification as well as 40 hours annually afterward to maintain it.

Bellevue State Park welcomes first-year candidates as well as continuing-service participants. Service projects can be as varied as the volunteer’s interests that align with park priorities. The park may identify potential service projects that would satisfy the requirements of the certification. Master Naturalist candidates and continuing-service volunteers are also welcome to submit proposals for service projects to the park.

Examples of categories of service projects that could be available at Bellevue State Park:

Pollinator garden, rain garden, or other garden management and/or support Invasive-plant management and/or support of native plants and trees Habitats that benefit the management of park wildlife or support a threatened native species Educational or experiential public programming planned and/or led in coordination with park interpretive programs and the Bellevue Arts Center—e.g., bird walks. A research and data initiative, pond management and/or protection, or other kind of special project

Note: If you respond to this opportunity, you will be contacted about next steps.

Bellevue State Park welcomes volunteers who are curious or passionate about cavity-nesting birds of northern Delaware!

There are 11 nest boxes in the Bellevue State Park program. Nest Box Monitors travel to their assigned nest boxes, observe, sometimes record (photos or video), and report what they see.

Orientation: Preseason orientation is held annually in the winter. If you have missed the current season’s orientation, you may contact Manager of Volunteers Nicholas Minnix to inquire about alternative training opportunities or your interest in joining the program next season.

Interested volunteers:

Must attend a training opportunity (orientation), at which they will learn: About the program and its goals How to identify local birds, their nests, and their eggs How to monitor nest boxes and record data on the response form Must be available to monitor at least once a week at their convenience

After the season, Nest Box Monitors and park staff gather for a recap and discussion.

Bellevue State Park reports its data at NestWatch.org, a project by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Note: Space in the program is limited. By responding to this opportunity, you are expressing interest. You will then be notified of available training opportunities.

Note: Orientation is required to become a Park Watch volunteer.

Bellevue State Park welcomes volunteers who enjoy helping their favorite park ensure accessibility and provide enjoyable, safe experiences and spaces!

Primary duties:

Greet visitors and answer their questions. Be alert during your chosen form of recreation (walking, running, biking, birdwatching, fishing, disc-golfing, etc.). Report safety concerns—especially important on paths, after storms, etc. Examples: Fallen tree limbs Damaged or obscured signs Damaged structures Support parking and traffic-flow efforts of Delaware State Parks Enforcement and Park Patrol Officers during events such as cross-country meets and festivals. Submit simple reports (template provided) and service time.

Scheduling is flexible:

For non-event duties, volunteers serve when it fits their schedules; they can be in the park from sunrise to sunset. For event duties, volunteers receive requests for availability to be at the park at scheduled times. This is a year-round opportunity.

Visitors who spend a significant amount of time at Bellevue State Park, are passionate about and enjoy supporting their favorite park, appreciate park values, and/or enjoy serving their community are excellent candidates for Park Watch.

Note: If you respond to this opportunity, you will be contacted about next steps.

Bellevue State Park welcomes volunteers who would like to help care for its reimagined Pollinator Garden!

The Pollinator Garden lies in what used to be known as the Butterfly Garden near the main road between the concert bandshell and the tennis courts on the way to Bellevue Hall.

Primary duties:

Report safety concerns or damages Remove fallen branches and other debris Weed garden bed and the woodchip trail Remove dead or damaged plants Submit simple reports (template provided) and service time

Needs can be significant after weather events.

Volunteers who RESPOND to Pollinator Garden Gang may also be invited to work on special projects for the site, such as plantings or refurbishments.

Is your group interested in incorporating this project in their team-building, class, or club service event? RESPOND AS TEAM and contact the Manager of Volunteers.

Scheduling is flexible:

Volunteers serve when it fits their schedules and may schedule times on their own to work with other members. This is a year-round opportunity, though most service is anticipated from March through October.

Visitors who enjoy exploring the park and its colorful landscapes, are interested in the pollination cycle and stewardship of the local ecosystem, and/or are passionate about the importance of this kind of project are excellent candidates to volunteer with the Pollinator Garden Gang!

Note: If you respond to this opportunity, you will be contacted about next steps.

Bellevue State Park welcomes Girl Scouts who are pursuing a Bronze, Silver, or Gold Award and Boy Scouts who will be completing an Eagle Scout Service Project!

Bellevue State Park appreciates the long history of Scouts’ service with Delaware State Parks and is familiar with the processes to achieve such Scout honors. The park may identify potential service projects that would satisfy the requirements of a Girl Scout Award or an Eagle Scout Service Project. Scouts are also welcome to submit proposals for service projects to the park.

Requirements:

Contact Bellevue State Park about your interest in completing a project in service of the park. A simple way to do that: Complete the form Girl Scout Awards & Boy Scout Eagle Projects. Regularly meet and discuss project proposals, plans, etc., with park personnel. Receive approval of your project, plans, amendments, revisions, etc., from the Superintendent throughout the process. Complete the project by the required deadline.

Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts who enjoy visiting Bellevue State Park, are passionate about taking care of natural spaces and supporting local ecosystems, and/or are passionate about supporting Delaware State Parks’ mission are excellent candidates to complete a service project at the park for a Girl Scout Award or the Eagle Scout Rank!

Bellevue State Park welcomes work, school, and other groups interested in scheduling a service project for their teams, classes, etc.

A group service project is a great way to provide your organization with an opportunity:

To give back to the community or to learn about the value of service To promote team building or to learn to collaborate To embrace a new challenge together or to step outside a comfort zone in a safe, fun, and social setting To learn about Delaware State Parks operations and to see the impact of the group’s service To take a break from the office, warehouse, classroom, etc., and enjoy the great outdoors To accumulate service hours collectively.

The types of group service projects available are based on seasonal needs at Bellevue State Park and Fox Point State Park, progress of the parks’ improvement projects, and other factors. Service projects for school groups may prioritize educational value and are intended to be age-appropriate.

Types of seasonal group service projects include:

Garden maintenance and care Control of invasive plants and vines Playground maintenance (e.g., mulching, raking) Maintenance of recreation sites (e.g., volleyball courts, horseshoe pits) Trail maintenance and care Litter cleanup

Coordinators for group service projects may RESPOND AS TEAM to this opportunity and ask about scheduling a date and time that is compatible with the group’s schedule. Coordinators are also welcome to RESPOND AS TEAM to a scheduled service project if there are enough available shifts.

Note: The project site’s address may differ from the park’s address and will be provided during scheduling of a group service project.

Friends of Bellevue State Park — Preserving, Interpreting, and Restoring

From the Friends’ website:

Friends of Bellevue State Park is a volunteer-based, non-profit organization dedicated to maintaining and enhancing the scenic, historic, and wildlife values of the park through dialogue, volunteering, education, and fundraising. We welcome new members!

The Friends are avid supporters of Bellevue State Park and Fox Point State Park. The Friends:

Support the Summer Concert Series at Bellevue State Park at the park band shell and Lunchtime Concert Series in the Tim Ross Music Garden (Arts Center patio) Help to care for the landscaping at Bellevue’s Tim Ross Music Garden as well as the Mt. Pleasant Meeting House, Parsonage, and Cemetery Organize and participate in service projects such as an Adopt-A-Highway cleanup and a Wreaths Across America ceremony Raise funds and advocate for the parks and their preservation, conservation, and restoration projects Hold monthly meetings attended by their board of directors and park staff as well as hold an Annual Meeting that is open to the public And more!

Friends of Bellevue State Park were recognized for their efforts and dedication with a 2022 Governor’s Volunteer Service Award by the State Office of Volunteerism. Visit the Friends’ website to learn more about Friends of Bellevue State Park and how to become a member or other ways to contribute to this award-winning organization and your favorite park.