Please contact us at 507-662-5064 or at ecologybus@ecologybus.org if you are interested in spear-heading any of these projects, or if you have an idea of a project or program that is not on our list. Please contact us before beginning any of these projects. THANK YOU for your involvement and suppport! 

*PLEASE NOTE that we are a small organization and may not have funding for some of these or other projects.  Any materials that you can donate are much appreciated and may be tax-deductible; or you may wish to work additional volunteer hours by soliciting donated materials for your project.  Please contact us to discuss options before beginning any of these projects or soliciting donations.  Thanks again. 

 
PEBC Internship.  The Prairie Ecology Bus Center is happy to accept full or part-time interns, and can help you participate in your school’s for-credit Internship Volunteer Program.  Please contact us for details about our needs. 

Trail and Grounds Maintenance.  We need ongoing help clearing trails and putting down woodchips in places.  There are many patches where weed control (clipping/pulling) is needed.  Must be willing to work outside and have written permission from a guardian if under 16.  No specific time-frame, we can match our needs with your available hours.

Fundraising Intern.  Looking for a self-motivated intern with basic internet research skills, good writing and interpersonal skills, and an interest in the non-profit world.  Intern will work closely with PEBC staff to carry out basic fundraising tasks (complete mailings, organize membership, design promotional materials).  Intern will also conduct independent research to find available grants, and help our small staff by outlining the application process for each grant (make sure we are eligible, highlight deadlines, list materials that need to be submitted, etc.)  Intern my have the opportunity to work on first drafts of grant applications, and/or proofread final versions.  Position is unpaid, hours are very flexible.

Office/Bus Garage Carpentry.   Creating additional storage for program materials, displays and other equipment is an ongoing need.  We need a helpful handyperson to help configure shelving options and install shelving.  We do have shelving on hand for this project.

Invasive Species.  Volunteer will help the PEBC to scale back Invasive Species on our grounds.  Volunteer must be comfortable working outdoors and have written parental permission, as some hand-saws and clippers may be needed.  Volunteer will research and learn to identify some common local invasives, and the proper ways to dispose of them.  This is a great job for a pair or a team to tackle together.  Work is ongoing, we can match our needs with your available hours.

Compost Program.  The PEBC needs a volunteer to research and implement a composting program at the center for our organic waste.  (We are looking for someone to actually set-up and organize a composting program, not just research!)  Volunteers may also choose to create accompanying educational materials for visitors.  About 20-30 hours.

Folding Newsletters/Preparing Bulk Mailings.  A simple job that will help us immensely as we send out our newsletter mailing and other bulk mailings where many envelopes need labeling, stuffing and stamping.  About 1-2 hours per newsletter or other mailing at the PEBC.  Newsletters are put out spring, fall and winter.  Other mailings vary throughout the year.

Costume/Prop Design & Sewing.  Costumes serve to help to both entertain and educate students during assemblies and other types of programs offered by the PEBC.  A volunteer could make a full-body adult-sized costume, hand puppets, student-size costume props or other props requiring sewing.  Please contact us regarding specific project possibilities.  Undetermined hours.

Kite Banners.  Volunteers who have had experience sewing on nylon-type fabric are invited to help us create banners and flags for our annual kite fly event.  We have many ideas for kite-related sewing projects and hours will vary widely.

Lighting fixtures.  Our indoor lighting is not very bright.  We need someone with carpentry and electrical experience to research, price, and install new lighting fixtures that will be consistent throughout our teaching and office areas.  About 15 hours at the PEBC and elsewhere.

Trail Bridge.  The Lone Tree Creek flowing through Sparks County Park is a treasure that sometimes gets a little out of hand!  Occasional high water in spring has caused the bridge to wash out.  The bridge is in decent shape but needs reworking as the footings are not very sturdy.  We need someone with carpentry experience to re-work the current bridge and shore up the footings to make it safe for children and adults to use.  About 10 hours at the PEBC.

Hang Bat and Wood Duck Houses.  We have bat houses and wood duck houses that need to be hung high in the trees around Sparks Park.  Volunteers should work in a team of at least two, and have some basic carpentry experience and be comfortable with climbing a high ladder.  3-10 hours at the PEBC (hang a few, or hang them all).

Written Info. About Bat Houses/Wood-Duck Houses/Injured Birds.  These interesting features of the PEBC each deserve to be written up in an attractively designed one-page flyer for visitors to read and take home.  Flyers should have general information about these conservation efforts, as well as their significance at the PEBC.  Will require independent research.  We are looking for a well-crafted final product that can be photocopied and distributed, not just research!  About 10 hours for each topic, at your own computer & library.

Compile Archives.  We have old newspaper clippings of articles about the PEBC.  We need a volunteer to compile them from around the office, and research at local libraries for more articles that we potentially missed or lost.  The final product would be an attractive binder of our most interesting clippings for visitors to look at, as well as an organized file of all the clippings.  10-15 hours at the PEBC and elsewhere.

Trail Map & Signs.  We need a volunteer to research the trees, grasses and flowers found at Sparks Park and design attractive wooden signs for several.  Signs can be simple name signs with routed letters and painted – similar to the signs at the PEBC office.  The corresponding map may contain additional details about the plants being featured.  5-25 hours at the PEBC and elsewhere.

Special Events.  The PEBC can always use help at special events to help with set-up of tables, chairs, canopies, signs, posters, dispays and more. 2+ hours (varies by event) at PEBC or other event locations.

Discovery Quest Creators & Monitors.  Quests are community treasure hunts not requiring any special equipment and only requiring a set of clues to find the treasure box.  Quests are created by volunteers to highlight a special place to help others discover and appreciate the natural, historical and cultural features of a given place.

Bird Feeder Monitor.  In winter months, our feathered friends can sometimes use a little extra help.  Bird feeder monitors can sign up to come out once or twice a month to refill feeders and  clean them when needed.  In summer months, hummingbird feeders are a welcome food source to many long-distance travelers.  1-2 hours per month at PEBC office.

Bird Information Cards.  A volunteer with an interest in birds and a willingness to write up a basic information sheet about individual species found at Sparks Park would make a wonderful addition to the PEBC!  Time will vary and can be done both at Spark Park (hiking the trails to see what birds are out there) and researching and writing the data sheets at PEBC or elsewhere. 

Bluebird House Building and Trail Development.  A volunteer would help create Bluebird houses made of PVC pipe (not the traditional wood boxes).  Volunteer can also work with PEBC staff help to determine the best locations to place the houses and install them.  Time will vary and can be done both at Spark Park and elsewhere. 

COMING SOON!  Backpack Monitor.  PEBC is in the process of developing themed backpacks with tools and resources to study 10 nature topics.  Backpacks can be checked out by individuals, families, youth groups, classrooms, etc.  The volunteer monitor would be responsible for checking backpacks in and out and making sure single use supplies are replenished after each use.  1-2 hours/month at PEBC.  If you have an interest in helping develop the materials for the Nature Packs, we could use help in writing up activity, inventory and instruction sheets.  Time will vary and can be done at PEBC or elsewhere.