Fort Snelling State Park

Phenology is the study of the timing and cyclical patterns of events in the natural world, particularly those related to the annual life cycles of plants, animals, and other living things. Examples of these events include the budding of leaves in spring, the arrival of migratory birds, and the flowering of plants.

Purpose (why we are doing this):

Here at Fort Snelling State Park many of the educational programs that we do are related to the seasonal changes that we experience here in the park. Additionally, the information that we provide visitors regarding what to do in the park is also greatly influenced by seasonal changes. 

Impact this position will have:

We are seeking several dedicated volunteers to help us explore the phenology of Fort Snelling so that we can provide the most accurate and up to date information to our visitors. 

Responsibilities (duties and tasks)

Authorized work to assist with:

Volunteers in this role will visit the park on a regular basis (weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly) and take a walk on our trails. During their walk they will observe the plants and animals around them and keep track of seasonal changes that they notice. At the end of their walk they will report their findings to a park staff member. 

We may also ask volunteers to post their findings somewhere in the visitor center (possibly a white board) and/or on nature reporting apps like iNaturalist, ebird, and/or nature’s notebook so that our visitors and local community can find things to explore at the park. 

Restricted work:

The duties assigned to this volunteer position are laid out above. Tasks pertaining to other programs and projects at this park/trail or any other park or trail unit must be agreed upon in a separate Volunteer Agreement Form.

Qualifications Desired:

Volunteer must be able to:

• Walk up to one mile over uneven terrain
• Have a basic understanding of the floodplain forest ecosystem and the ability to identify some of the plants and animals that live there (or have the tools to assist them in identifying unknown species)
• Provide their own clothing and personal protective equipment to stay safe and comfortable while walking the trails. Recommended supplies include:  
  • Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
  • Windbreaker and/or rain coat
  • Sturdy shoes
  • Bug spray and tick protection 
  • Water 
  • A paper map or the Avenza maps app 
  • A phone with iNaturalist downloaded 
  • A notebook and/or camera to record findings 

This opportunity has flexible hours (any time between 9am and 3pm) and we would like volunteers to come weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly based on what would fit best in their schedule.