Thinking about volunteering in your town? I’ve spent a lot of my adult life volunteering – – much more than some people and significantly less than others who commit to job-like volunteer positions, such as selectboard, zoning board, or planning board. These roles require quite a commitment, but if you’re looking for something that’s just a few hours a week, or more (or less) than that, I’m sure you can find a some volunteer opportunities in Central Mass that pique your interest and align with the time you have available to give.
One of the first committees I served on in Westminster was the Open Space Committee. I wasn’t necessarily aware of land conservation until a developer proposed 198 condos adjacent to the Crow Hill climbing cliffs land – – across the street from my house on East Road in Westminster. These condos were high up on a hill, behind three duplexes that a different builder had put together on the hillside across from us, resulting in drainage and erosion issues through the storm drains and into our waterfront area. When I saw how vulnerable large parcels of land are, I joined the Open Space Committee. We applied for a large federal grant called a Forest Legacy Grant and a state grant, and with a modest contribution from the towns, we were able to permanently protect 456 acres along the Midstate Trail in Ashburnham and Westminster, led by Janet Morrison of the North County Land Trust.
Use the links below to explore various municipal volunteering opportunities in your town. I’d love to hear what you come up with!
Am I missing anything in this Volunteer Opportunities in Central Mass RESOURCE STORY? Please message me with any info you have, so I can always keep my CENTRAL MASS RESOURCE STORIES as current and relevant as possible!
