Opportunities From: Delaware State Parks

Delaware State Parks is a Local Organizing Partner (LOP) of the Delaware Master Naturalist (DMN) Program.

Lums Pond State Park is an LOP site.

Note: This opportunity is only for registrants in the DMN Program—a certification offered in partnership between the University of Delaware Cooperative Extension and Delaware Nature Society—or certified DMNs.

The DMN Program is a remarkable opportunity for professionals as well as enthusiasts to become a certified Delaware Master Naturalist.

From the website:

The Delaware Master Naturalist Program trains citizens as ambassadors and stewards of Delaware’s natural resources and ecosystems through science-based education and volunteer opportunities.

It requires registrants to complete 40 hours of service time with a Local Organizing Partner (LOP) to achieve certification as well as 40 hours annually afterward to maintain it.

Lums Pond 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 service projects that would satisfy the requirements of the certification. DMN candidates and continuing-service volunteers are also welcome to submit proposals for service projects to the park.

Lums Pond State Park welcomes Girl Scouts who are pursuing a Gold Award and Boy Scouts who are pursuing the Eagle Rank!

Delaware State Parks appreciates the long history of Scouts’ service 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 Gold Award or an Eagle Scout Service Project. Scouts are also welcome to submit proposals for service projects to the park.

Requirements:

Contact Lums Pond State Park about your interest in completing a project in service of the park. A simple way to do that: Contact Delaware State Parks. In the form:Select "Lums Pond State Park."Select "Volunteering or campground hosting."Provide your email address (required) and phone number (optional).Describe your interest in doing a project for the park and provide details about your project, including the deadline and/or anticipated completion date. 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 Lums Pond 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 Gold Award or the Boy Scout Eagle Rank!

Lums Pond 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 collaboration. To embrace a new challenge together or to step outside a comfort zone in a safe, fun 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 service projects available to groups are based on seasonal needs at Lums Pond 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 service projects available to groups include:

Trail maintenance and careControl of invasive plants and vines Playground maintenance (e.g., mulching, raking) Maintenance of recreation sites (e.g., volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, disc golf course) 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.

The Friends are making a difference!

From the Friends’ website:

We are the Friends of Lums Pond, where passion meets preservation! We're a nonprofit on a mission to protect and enhance Lums Pond State Park. Learn more about our mission to conserve this natural treasure, the benefits of joining us, and the park's rich history.

The Friends are avid supporters of Lums Pond State Park. They:

Help maintain the park’s trails, including the Swamp Forest Trail and Little Jersey TrailOrganize and participate in service projects such as an annual boathouse cleanupRaise funds and advocate for Lums Pond preservation, conservation, and restoration projectsHold monthly meetings attended by their board of directors and park staff as well as hold an Annual Meeting that is open to the publicAnd more!

Visit the Friends of Lums Pond State Park website to learn more about the Friends and how to become a member or other ways to contribute to this organization and your favorite park.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering at Lums Pond State Park. We are thrilled to have passionate individuals join us in helping preserve and maintain our natural spaces and historical sites throughout the state!

Volunteering at Lums Pond can happen in many ways and can include, but is not limited to: 

Trail maintenanceInvasive species removalTrash/debris pickupGeneral facility maintenanceAnd more!

Please note: 

This post is for single volunteer service events performed, typically, by one individual that does not fall under any initiatives already create. This is NOT for large group events, regularly scheduled events, Citizen Scientist initiatives, etc. 

If you are interested in volunteering at Lums Pond State Park, or have any questions, please contact the Manager of Volunteer Services Arden Locker at arden.locker@delaware.gov

Thank you for all that you do!