Log in with
Opportunity Details
Building Winter Animal Shelters in Shelby Bottoms
Do you love native animals and forests? Want to make sure the local critters have a safe and cozy place to stay for the winter? Join the Shelby Bottoms Nature Center staff as they create structures to do just that!
The SBNC will be building some hibernacula this fall in preparation for the upcoming winter season. A hibernaculum is a human-made structure that animals can use for shelter to survive the winter. As available habitat dwindles, parks such as Shelby Bottoms are increasingly important as safe havens for urban wildlife. We will be building 2 hibernacula on-site for the reptiles and amphibians of Shelby Bottoms.
How will volunteers serve at this event?
Volunteers will be helping construct these hibernacula in two separate shifts. The first shift will help dig two large holes (6 feet in diameter and 6 feet deep) using shovels and pickaxes. The second shift will help finish digging the hole and then build up the internal structure with PVC pipes, bricks, scrap wood, brush, compost, and soil.
What will be the community impact of this event?
Construction of these structures will aid native animals, as safe shelter is imperative to their survival through the cold months. Protecting our native animals benefits our forests and insects, which keeps our local ecosystem in a healthy balance for all visitors to appreciate and view.
Accessibility:
This event will include walking along uneven ground while carrying heavy tools, as well as digging and shoveling out hardened dirt from the ground. There will be restrooms located at the Shelby Bottoms Nature Center a short walk away from the worksite, and they have ample parking out in front of their building.
What to bring?
We recommend bringing your own water bottle and hat/sunscreen. Please wear long pants and close-toed shoes, as we'll be working in the forest along uneven ground with sharp tools. The Shelby Bottoms Nature Center will provide all necessary tools, gloves, supplies, and additional water.
What’s next?
If you sign up for this event, you will receive a reminder email a few days before the event with specific instructions regarding parking and any other necessary information.
Founded in 2008, Friends of Shelby is a private, nonprofit organization working to preserve, enhance, and promote Shelby Park and Bottoms for everyone to appreciate and protect. We work to protect the natural and historical integrity of the area by supporting appropriate recreational activities, maintaining and enhancing its features, promoting programs that inspire appreciation and conservation of the Park and Bottoms, and advocating for a level playing field for the various user groups.
Environment & Sustainability
Age Minimum (with Adult): 13+, Minimum Age:17+
Log in or Register
In order to register for this opportunity you must log in to an existing account or register to create a new account.
Sign up with a team
This link allows you to participate in this opportunity with a team. A team can be a family team, corporate team, or any kind of organized group. When you click on the link you will have the option to:
- Choose an existing team you're already a member or captain of, or
- Create a new team to sign up.
Signup Questions
Please respond to the following questions in order to signup for this opportunity:
