Volunteer opportunities in Hickory Hill Park

Volunteers/Events

Garlic Mustard Pulling
For all events, wear long pants and a long sleeve shirt. Bring a snack and water. Each event will happen rain or shine. We will be pulling garlic mustard and bagging the pulled plants for removal. Garbage bags will be provided, but bring your own if you like.

April 13th (Sun) 9:00AM to 12:00PM: We will meet at the Bloomington Street entrance and be working in the southern part of the Park.

April 13th (Sun) 1:00PM to 4:00PM: We will meet at the Bloomington Street entrance and be working in the southern part of the Park.

April 19th (Sat) 9:30AM to 12:30PM: We will meet at the North Dodge (Conklin) Street entrance and be working in the northern part of the Park.

April 19th (Sat) 1:30PM to 4:30PM: We will meet at the Bloomington Street entrance and be working in the southern part of the Park.

April 19th (Sat) 1:30PM to 4:30PM: GREAT GARLIC MUSTARD CHALLENGE
Join volunteers at Iowa City and Johnson County parks to help preserve if not beat our record pull of 1960 pounds (almost one ton) of garlic mustard and to help control the noxious weed that threatens our local woodlands. We will meet at the Bloomington Street entrance.

Volunteer opportunities

FHHP needs volunteers for a wide range of projects. Whether you are available on a regular basis for an ongoing project or just have limited time to offer, please consider volunteering. We welcome individuals as well as groups to participate in our volunteer activities. All volunteer efforts count toward FHHP's adopt-a-park status.

Caring
for Trees

Individuals and groups are needed to care for the Nancy Seiberling Heritage Grove project at the north entrance to Hickory Hill Park. This project focuses on planting and maintaining a grove of native trees-mostly oaks and hickories. A number of hickory trees will be planted this summer. Recently planted trees need to be watered and mulched in order to help them get established. Karin McKeone organizes watering on Wednesday evenings and she needs volunteers. If you are interested in helping please contact Karin McKeone at 351-8572 or e-mail her at mckeone_at_avalon_dot_net.

Park Clean Up

We invite people to assist with litter clean-up in the park and to keep
track of the time spent picking up litter. Please report your volunteer time
to Joan Jehle at 338-5331 or e-mail her at jjehle_at_mymailstation_dot_ com.

Garlic Mustard Removal

The woodlands of Hickory Hill Park are threatened by a rapid invasion of garlic mustard. This European herb reproduces rapidly and shades out native species of wildflowers, mushrooms, and tree seedlings. Because mammals and birds do not eat this plant and it has no known "predator" it rapidly outcompetes other woodland plants. Its prolific seeds are spread by hikers, dogs, deer, birds, and water. We need all the help we can get to control this plant, and we are trying to curtail its spread without the use of chemicals.
FHHP organizes regular pulls in the spring. We are also need volunteers to pull on there own in areas where the garlic mustard is not at the seed stage. For more information, contact Sarah Walz at 466-0908 or e-mail walz_dot_sarah_at_gmail_dot_com.

Weeding the Butterfly and Rain Gardens

From time to time the gardens will need weeding while native plants are getting established. This is an ideal volunteer opportunity for someone who wants to their own schedule. We want to keep track of weeding so that we can let volunteers know what plants to expect at these sites and to make sure that volunteers know how to identify native plants vs. weeds. We also want to keep track of volunteer hours for our Friends of the Park status.
Call Sarah Walz at 466-0908 or e-mail walz_dot_sarah_at_gmail_dot_com if want to volunteer to weed either site.
if you want to volunteer to weed either site.

Prairie Reconstruction Project

FHHP needs volunteers to help with the 6-acre prairie reconstruction project located in north Hickory Hill Park. We've already seeded 2 acres, but still have 4 to go! You don't need prior experience, but do need to be in good physical condition. We are looking for individuals and groups. This is a great opportunity for people of all abilities (including kids) and for those completely new to prairie restoration/reconstruction. We would particularly love to have students, boy scouts and girl scouts involved. Right now where fighting invasive species like multiflora rose, garlic mustard and Amur honeysuckle with a variety of tools and methods. You also need to have a flexible work schedule, since a prescribed burn will take place when the weather and winds are right (possible on a weekday). Training will be provided prior to the burn. For more information, contact Mike Fallon at 339-7296 or email nativelandscaping_at_gmail_dot_com.

The Hickory Hill Calendar

If less labor intensive work is more your cup of tea or if you are of a more artistic bent, we welcome volunteers to join our calendar committee. The committee will begin meeting in July and is charged with soliciting and selecting photos for the calendar as well as organizing sales to local stores.
Contact Sarah Walz at 466-0908 or walz_dot_sarah_at_gmail_dot_comif you are interested.

Suggestions
If you have other ideas for volunteer events or if you have a special skill to offer, please contact a board member of Friends of Hickory Hill Park.