VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES - Give back to your community

Volunteers are one of our most cherished resources here at Garvies Point Museum and Preserve.

We offer individual and group volunteer opportunities at all times of the year.

Download Volunteer Form

Preserve Management

Native Plant Conservation


Non-native highly invasive plants affect all of the United States including Garvies Point Preserve. These introduced plants from Europe and Asia pose a threat to our native wildflower and plant populations due to competition for sunlight, space, water, and nutrients. These plants change the environment in such a way that our native plants and trees have difficulty surviving and reproducing. Native wildlife depends on native plant and tree populations. Volunteers and museum staff will use manual removal of plants (no chemicals) and dispose of them in a manner to prevent any further spreading. Best time: late winter, early spring through early fall. Invasives of concern: Japanese Knotweed, Mile-A-Minute, Garlic Mustard, Norway Maple, Porcelain Berry, Multiflora rose, Japanese Honeysuckle, and English Ivy.

Trail/Pond Restoration Projects

We have almost 5 miles of marked nature trails that lead through the woods, meadow, and along the bluff and along the beach. In order to keep our trails as safe as possible for all who visit us, they need to be cleared, maintained, and fixed up occasionally. We welcome all those who are willing!

A pond is a type of ecosystem that naturally accumulates debris (tree limbs, plant and animal debris) that leads to the succession of a pond into a forest. We wish to keep our ponds for educational purposes and in order to do this we need to clear the edges of the ponds every few years. (Great for scout groups and Eagle scouts)

Bird and Butterfly Friendly Gardens

Thanks to gracious donations from North Shore Audubon Society, Jill Vomacka and the Friends of Garvies Point Museum & Preserve we have two beautiful bird and butterfly friendly gardens around the museum and parking lot. These gardens are made to give native birds, butterflies, and other insects a great source for food, nesting, and cover and for educational purposes. Birds and butterflies are more likely to feed and build a nest (or lay eggs) on native shrubs and plants. Different species of butterflies need certain plants for nectar and other plants to lay eggs so their larvae can feed when hatched.

These gardens need weeding throughout the early spring through early fall. If any environmental clubs or groups are interested they can "adopt-a-garden". Your group can tend to and manage one or both of our gardens through the spring and summer.

Major Annual Events:

Native American Fall Festival:

A weekend long event held the weekend before Thanksgiving that celebrates the culture and life ways of northeastern Native Americans. Activities include authentic pottery making methods, native food displays, learn about tool technology (using mortar & pestle, stone drilling, fire-making), outdoor spear throwing (use the atlatl), and films about Native American culture and archaeology.

For all these activities we need many volunteers! Every year all who volunteer have a great time!

Geology Day:

Normally held on Saturday in February with rock and mineral ID, walks about local geology, crafts and more.

Dinosaur Daze:

weekend long event held annually in March or April with educational prehistoric timeline, dinosaur crafts, photo opportunities, films and more.

Garvies Point Day:

First Saturday in August. A day of outdoor education and nature crafts.

Children's Summer Workshops:

Nature, Geology and Native American themes. Tuesdays through Fridays in July and August for children ages 5-11 years.

Four full day workshops that explore the world of the woods, field, pond, and beach - how Long Island was formed, all about erosion and fossils, beach geology, rocks and minerals, and Native Americans: how they lived, what tools they used, pottery making methods, survival skills, fire making and more. Great for community service!



Volunteers for teaching educational museum programs:

Throughout the year we get many visits from school groups, scouts, home school groups, adult homes, etc. We offer educational programs focusing on Native American tools & culture, Archaeology, Geology, and Outdoor Education. If you love children and if you especially love to teach we would love to have you! Background information is always a plus, but we may offer training sessions in Spring. We recommend observing our programs as well.

Front Desk & Gift Shop help

We welcome those who are willing and able to help at the front desk for admission, public guidance, information and gift shop sales. Would need to use computer for admissions and register for gift shop sales.

Contact Veronica (516-571-8010) at Garvies Point Museum
If you have any questions