New England Aquarium

As Boston's second largest unfragmented woodland, Allandale Woods is a crucial component of the city's natural areas inventory. Composed primarily of oaks, maples, and pines, Allandale Woods is one of the few relatively pristine secondary growth oak-hickory forests in the city of Boston. Trails run throughout the site leading to various areas of interest including scenic Rock Pond, an extensive Depression-era stone boundary wall, a cattail marsh, intertwining streams that form the Bussey Brook headwaters, underground springs, an historic spring house, and a certified vernal pool. Woodlands like this are in need of constant care to combat invasive species, maintain trails, and restore impacted native habitats. The Service Corps will be involved in a number of projects, including: -Maintenance on trails, including removal of downed limbs and debris -Invasive species removal -Trail-side pruning -Watering new restoration plants Come prepared for some heavy-duty gardening and trail work!

Want to know more about the live blue Service Corps? Through this program, we partner with local environmental organizations to provide episodic volunteer opportunities with a smaller commitment that still has an important impact on our mission! This program was built in flexibility; you only sign up for the service events in which you're interested and for which you have the time. To become a live blue Service Corps member, volunteers are first required to attend a one time, hour long orientation at the Aquarium. During this orientation, you'll learn more about the live blue Service Corps, the kinds of projects you'll be doing, and what to expect. It's also a great chance to meet other volunteers! After attending the orientation you'll be able to sign up for any and all live blue Service Corps projects posted on serve.neaq.org/calendar. [Note that if you are interested in a more committed program, namely those in animal care and education, please visit serve.neaq.org/ClassicCorps to read about the application process]

Volunteers for the Aquarium Lecture Series assist with checking in guests, answer questions, set-up and break down materials, provide general program support, and provide an overall pleasant and inviting atmosphere. You are also welcome to stay to enjoy the lecture! To learn more about the lecture series and to see upcoming speakers, see our website.

Myles Standish is the largest publicly-owned recreation area on the South Shore. Consisting largely of pitch pine and scrub oak forest, this is the largest forest of its kind north of Long Island. The forest surrounds 16 lakes and ponds, including several ecologically significant coastal kettle ponds. A popular destination year-round for camping, hiking, and other recreational activities, the Mass Department of Recreation manages this site for both people and wildlife alike. Volunteers on this day will cut back brush around campsites and trails and assist DCR staff in other tasking as needed. Come journey to the South Shore with us to experience this unique habitat!