The following volunteer events have been planned for 2012 with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Natural Resource Program at Coralville Lake. The work event work will start at 9:00 a.m. and go until 4:00 p.m., however, times can be flexible to accommodate you or your group. Each volunteer event will include a short (approximately 10 minute) interpretive program at the beginning of the work project which will explain the environmental issue being addressed with the work event.
Campgrounds will be open and free sites available for dates in yellow for volunteers working a minimum of 5 hours. We cannot guarantee that sites will be available for dates after the Earth Day Event, so early registration is strongly recommended.
If you are interested in volunteering, please call (319) 338-3543 ext. 6306 or email our Natural Resource Manager.
Additional Volunteer Opportunities
Prairie Seed Collection
Location: Various prairie remnants, generally on the north side of the lake.
Time of Year: Seed can be collected in mid-July through December and is weather dependent.
Description: Collect seed from native prairie species to be planted into a 125-acre prairie restoration project. No previous knowledge is required. Interested parties will receive a short training session and some initial supervision.
Bluebird Box Maintenance
Location: Various areas around Coralville Lake.
Time
of Year: Mid-March through
mid-September
Description: Monitor and maintain bluebird boxes. Boxes need
to be checked every ten to 14 days to ensure only bluebirds are using the boxes.
Damaged boxes will need to be repaired or replaced.
Fence Removal
Location: Various areas around Coralville Lake.
Time of Year: Any
Description: This project involves removing old fence posts and wire to make these areas more accessible with our prescribed fire equipment. Any wooden fence posts that have not burned completely through at the bottom can be sawed off at ground level with a handsaw or chain saw. Metal fence posts can be pulled with a fence post puller. All fence wire needs to be removed from the posts and coiled. Posts, fence wire, old railroad ties and any trash found in the area can be piled for removal by Coralville Lake staff.
Prescribed Burning
Location: Various prairies and woodlands around Coralville Lake
Time of Year: Fall through Spring, weather dependent
Description: Assist Coralville Lake staff in conducting prescribed burning of various woodland and prairie sites around Coralville Lake. Prescribed burning is a very effective management tool for controlling exotic/invasive plant species and brush. Prescribed fire also reduces the amount of dead vegetative matter that can build up over time – thus reducing the risk of large-scale out of control fires that can result from fuel load buildups. Volunteers will be given instruction on safety and fire management. They will be required to wear nomex clothing and a hard hat, which will be provided by Coralville Lake staff. Completion of the S130 (Fire Fighter Training) and S190 (Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior) is highly recommended but not required.
Invasive Species Removal
Location: Various prairies and woodlands, project wide
Time of Year: Any
Description: Remove invasive
plants from specific prairies and woodland as part
of our overall restoration efforts. Currently there are four prairies
and five woodland we are striving to restore. Removal of Autumn Olive,
Oriental Bittersweet, and Garlic Mustard is one of the first steps in reclaiming
these areas.
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Coralville Lake, 2850
Prairie Du Chein Rd NE
Iowa City, IA 52240-7820
(319) 338-3543 ext. 6300
Contact Us
25 January 2012