At Mount Grace, we believe meaningful conservation work starts with community. This spring, we’re laying the foundation for a revitalized and more inclusive volunteer program—one built to be more accessible, intentional, and rooted in connection to the land and one another.
“We’re not just filling gaps—we’re building a culture,” says Seth Kelley, Community Conservation Program Manager. “This isn’t just about getting work done—it’s about creating a space where people connect. Volunteering gives folks a chance to meet each other, share time on the land, and feel part of something bigger than themselves.”
Recent federal cuts have dealt a major blow to national service programs like AmeriCorps, the main funder of Massachusetts-based TerraCorps. On April 25, AmeriCorps abruptly terminated nearly $400 million in grant funding—a move that now threatens to shutter TerraCorps entirely. For over a decade, TerraCorps service members have been an integral part of Mount Grace, contributing to everything from trail maintenance and invasive species removal to youth programming and outdoor education.
With these cuts, our reliance on local volunteers has never been greater. Community members are stepping up to continue this vital work—and their impact is more important than ever.
Our volunteer program focuses on hands-on stewardship work: trail maintenance, invasive species removal, tree planting, and ongoing care of conserved lands. Volunteers will be supported by trained leaders and staff, ensuring every workday is productive, welcoming, and rewarding.
“For so many years, Mount Grace has benefited from the dedication of countless volunteers,” says Executive Director Emma Ellsworth. “As we prepare for our 40th anniversary year, we want to honor the work of past volunteers and find creative ways to recognize the hard work of our community members.”
As Mount Grace conserves more land, our responsibility to directly steward these places increases. Volunteers are essential to that care and to our mission of connecting people with the land they love.
We’re not just seeking extra hands. We’re building a network—people who want to protect the region they call home and pass that ethic on to the next generation. Volunteering is a powerful way for families to spend time outdoors together, for young people to connect with nature, and for neighbors to become lifelong conservation advocates.
- Signing up to volunteer helps us better understand your interests and location so we can offer opportunities that are meaningful and accessible to you. It also helps us plan events with enough tools, leaders, and time to create space for real community connection.
Upcoming Opportunities:
Saturday, May 10 | 9 AM to Noon | Guiney Memorial Forest, Royalston
Join Mount Grace for a morning of tree planting at the Guiney Memorial Forest this Saturday, May 10th , from 9AM to Noon. We have over 50 native tree seedlings that need to be planted and with tree guards installed around them. These trees all provide important hard and soft mast for wildlife and will complement our recent forest work. This is a fantastic opportunity to give back to the land and wildlife that provide so much for us! If you are interested in helping us please call/text Matt DiBona at 302-943-3239 or email dibona@mountgrace.org.
Are you interested in getting involved? Sign up today and we’ll notify you of upcoming volunteer opportunities based on the preferences you put down on our intake form.