Become a Volunteer
And be one of the most appreciated people in Madison!
Volunteers are the heart and soul of the Madison Land Conservation Trust. Their passion for wildlife and nature is the driving force behind everything you enjoy about the Land Trust —the properties and beautifully maintained hiking trails, the guided nature walks and special events, our fun Facebook community — everything!
There are loads of ways to get involved, meet fantastic people, and help protect our natural spaces. Here are a few options — we’re sure at least one will match your interests.
Be a Trail Steward or join a Work Party
Blaze trails on new properties or help keep existing trails in shape for hikers.
Organize a community event
Each of our special events and guided hikes — like Dinner & Music on the Farm and the annual Bird Watching Hike — requires a team of dedicated volunteers to organize and publicize the event in order to be successful.
Be a digital MLCT booster
If you know your way around website design or Facebook — we need your help to keep our online presence strong and fun!
Help us save more land
Join the MLCT Acquisition Committee and help us protect more land in Madison. Research and assess new land opportunities, raise funds, write grants, and work closely with town agencies.
Help care for the Rettich Preserve
This recently acquired preserve on River Road—close to town on the shore of the Hammonasset River—needs extra TLC, including help with the restoration of its historic barn and expansive grounds. (Including a fabulous large patch of milkweed plants, where monarch butterflies breed!)
Help us bring new members and volunteers to MLCT
The more members and volunteers we recruit, the more resources we have to save and preserve beautiful spaces in Madison. Newsletters, mailings, and email correspondence are just a few of the ways we connect with nature lovers.
Donate your professional expertise
Do you have skills in land surveying, legal counseling, fundraising, grant writing, donor development, social media, GPS, educational programs, film making, sign painting, or carpentry (or ANY expertise you feel we need), please join us!
Why not join us!
If you have any questions on how to become a Madison Land Conservation Trust volunteer, feel free to contact our volunteer coordinator anytime.
Barred Owl
Barred owls are common residents of wooded Land Trust properties. They are named for the vertical barred pattern on their brown and white breast feathers. With a call that sounds like “Who cooks for you … who cooks for you, all?” barred owls are often heard before they are seen. They nest in tree cavities and usually lay 3-4 eggs in early spring. Like most owls, they tend to mate for life.
The Barred Owl should not be confused with the Barn Owl, an endangered species in Connecticut that lives near open fields. Menunkatuck Audubon installed a barn owl nest box at Rettich Preserve to help increase nesting populations in southern Connecticut.
Painting © Michael DiGiorgio
