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Volunteer News

Congratulations to Barry and Darlene Bidwell, TNC Washington's Volunteers of the Year. Barry and Darlene are very dedicated volunteers who have each become a constant presence on the prairies in the past two decades. Barry has been volunteering on the prairies for 27 years, and Darlene has been volunteering for almost as long. Barry has shared his passion for butterflies with countless numbers of volunteers throughout the year, and Darlene's commitment to any and every task we need accomplished, her warm personality, and great attitude has become something that everyone looks forward to on volunteer days. Read more...

Mazama Pocket Gopher

Mazama pocket gophers are an important component in South Sound prairies. While still found in Thurston and Pierce Counties, they are globally rare and considered threatened with extinction by the State of Washington.
Learn more!

Sign Up To Volunteer

Volunteer Information

Join the friendly volunteers who help the Center for Natural Lands Management restore remnants of our rare and beautiful prairie landscape and learn about our natural heritage in the process. New faces are always welcome! Work parties are scheduled year-round every Tuesday and every second Saturday of each month. For more information or to sign up, please email us at ssvolunteers@cnlm.org.

A network of citizens, landowners, conservation groups and public agencies is working together to safeguard and restore the South Sound prairies. As a volunteer, you can:

  • help remove invasive species
  • establish native plants
  • provide nesting sites for prairie birds
  • ensure compatible use of prairie lands
  • support continued protection of prairies

Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities:

Every Tuesday
Every Tuesday volunteers meet with staff from the Center for Natural Lands Management to conduct restoration work on one of the prairies in the South Sound. The work varies from pulling Scotch Broom to planting native species to conifer control. Each week on the prairies brings a new restoration activity. Learn to clean seeds or monitor prairie species. Please join us! For more information, contact us at ssvolunteers@cnlm.org. 

Second Saturdays
Work parties are held every second Saturday of each month. Occasional bonfires and potlucks have been known to happen. Contact us at ssvolunteers@cnlm.org.

Schools and Groups
Restoration work is also a great team building activity! Bring your school or civic group out to the prairies and enjoy the outdoors together while you improve the environment.

Annual Events:

Prairie Appreciation Day
Prairie Appreciation Day at Glacial Heritage Preserve and Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve happens only once a year. Please visit their website to find out how you can participate!