Volunteer: Listen to the space! Context researcherDO YOU LOVE OUR NORTHERN NECK PLANTS, PLACES & PEOPLE? *** Do any of these describe you? ... -- I am curious -- I love pondering questions like 'what happened here’?' -- I enjoy diving into history, demographics and/or marketing data If so, we'd love to work with you and other volunteers to uncover our garden site’s story—its natural and cultural history, and current dynamics. DESCRIPTION Well designed landscapes listen to what the land reveals about a place and its people. We need help collecting this ‘context research’ to inform the design of our garden spaces so they reflect and respect the past, speak to the present, and anticipate the future. Use online and/or other resources, independently or with others, to research one or more of the questions below:o How did the land our site sits on evolve geologically and ecologically? o How did people impact the site over time? o What are past and current demographics of communities surrounding our site? o What regional activities, amenities or programs exist that might compete or complement our public garden? Organize findings of your research so they can provide input to the design process by telling the stories you uncover, e.g. summaries, tables, photos, narratives TIMING/DURATION Minimum 5 hours/month for 4 months; longer term volunteers welcome! QUALIFICATIONS Strong interest in the landscapes and people of the Northern Neck Basic research skillsStrong written and communication skills Ability to work independently Computer skills helpfulLOCATIONS Research may be done virtually, at the garden site*, and/or at historic record sites depending upon research pursued.Regular check-in meetings to rotate between in-person (at gathering spots in the Irvington/Kilmarnock area) and virtual.TRAINING/SUPPORT Introduction to context research as it relates to design of public garden will be provided. Access to the garden development team by email and phone for questions and concerns.A mix of in-person and virtual monthly check-in gatherings with research volunteers and the garden development team to share progress and ideas, and connect with others with shared interests.BENEFITS Commit those deep local research dives you love to a legacy—your findings will help ground River Roots in a true sense of place to benefit our environment and community. Meet others with similar or complementary interests. Help shape a brand-new public space. Make sure this new garden space remembers its past and reflects its present.* NOTE ABOUT GARDEN SITE The site to be developed as River Roots Discovery Gardens is in Lancaster County, VA, on 14 acres of land behind the under-construction Lancaster County Middle/High School on Irvington Road. All are welcome to visit the site which is accessed via Old St John's Road, the northernmost entrance road to the Hills Quarter Community. Turn onto Old St John's Road. The site is on the left just beyond the pond behind the high school. Park across Old St John's Road in the gravel parking lot by the small yellow building. CONTACT If you would like further information about this opportunity and/or if you are interested but don't have a Volunteer River Counties account, please contact Sarah Munroe at smunroe@connectedgardens.com. Organization: River Roots Discovery Gardens DO YOU LOVE OUR NORTHERN NECK PLANTS, PLACES & PEOPLE? *** Do any of these describe you? ... -- I am curious -- I love pondering questions like 'what happened here’?' -- I enjoy diving into history, demographics and/or marketing data If so, we'd love to work with you and other volunteers to uncover our garden site’s story—its natural and cultural history, and current dynamics. DESCRIPTION Well designed landscapes listen to what the land reveals about a place and its people. We need help collecting this ‘context research’ to inform the design of our garden spaces so they reflect and respect the past, speak to the present, and anticipate the future. Use online and/or other resources, independently or with others, to research one or more of the questions below:o How did the land our site sits on evolve geologically and ecologically? o How did people impact the site over time? o What are past and current demographics of communities surrounding our site? o What regional activities, amenities or programs exist that might compete or complement our public garden? Organize findings of your research so they can provide input to the design process by telling the stories you uncover, e.g. summaries, tables, photos, narratives TIMING/DURATION Minimum 5 hours/month for 4 months; longer term volunteers welcome! QUALIFICATIONS Strong interest in the landscapes and people of the Northern Neck Basic research skillsStrong written and communication skills Ability to work independently Computer skills helpfulLOCATIONS Research may be done virtually, at the garden site*, and/or at historic record sites depending upon research pursued.Regular check-in meetings to rotate between in-person (at gathering spots in the Irvington/Kilmarnock area) and virtual.TRAINING/SUPPORT Introduction to context research as it relates to design of public garden will be provided. Access to the garden development team by email and phone for questions and concerns.A mix of in-person and virtual monthly check-in gatherings with research volunteers and the garden development team to share progress and ideas, and connect with others with shared interests.BENEFITS Commit those deep local research dives you love to a legacy—your findings will help ground River Roots in a true sense of place to benefit our environment and community. Meet others with similar or complementary interests. Help shape a brand-new public space. Make sure this new garden space remembers its past and reflects its present.* NOTE ABOUT GARDEN SITE The site to be developed as River Roots Discovery Gardens is in Lancaster County, VA, on 14 acres of land behind the under-construction Lancaster County Middle/High School on Irvington Road. All are welcome to visit the site which is accessed via Old St John's Road, the northernmost entrance road to the Hills Quarter Community. Turn onto Old St John's Road. The site is on the left just beyond the pond behind the high school. Park across Old St John's Road in the gravel parking lot by the small yellow building. CONTACT If you would like further information about this opportunity and/or if you are interested but don't have a Volunteer River Counties account, please contact Sarah Munroe at smunroe@connectedgardens.com. Organization: River Roots Discovery Gardens Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Is Ongoing Zip Code: 22480 Allow Groups: Yes |
Volunteer: Help us grow roots! Grant writerDO YOU LOVE OUR NORTHERN NECK PLANTS, PLACES & PEOPLE? *** Does finding resources to connect small non-profits to big futures float your boat? Interested in fueling a unique, creative initiative that will advance community, education, and conservation? Help River Roots Discovery Gardens identify and pursue the mission-aligned funding sources that will put the gardens on the map. DESCRIPTION The 3 pillars that will support River Roots Discovery Gardens’ mission advancement—community, education, and conservation—open broad prospects for grant seeking. Research grant opportunities to identify those targeted to our mission areas, geography, and scope. Leverage grant search databases if possible.Help write compelling grant proposals.Track submission deadlines and award timelines.Help River Roots plan for required impact reporting.Follow up with funders for feedback on how to improve future proposals.TIMING/DURATION Minimum 8 hours/month for 6 months; longer term volunteers welcome! QUALIFICATIONS Strong support of and ability to communicate River Roots Discovery Gardens missionBasic grant research skills with a willingness to advance skills by leveraging digital grant resourcesStrong written and communication skillsAbility to work independentlyComputer skillsLOCATIONS Virtual TRAINING/SUPPORT Access to the garden development team by email and phone for questions and concerns.BENEFITS Play a pivotal role in establishing River Roots Discovery Gardens.Professional developmentShape a brand-new public space.NOTE ABOUT THE RIVER ROOTS DISCOVERY GARDENS SITE The site to be developed as River Roots Discovery Gardens is in Lancaster County, VA, on 14 acres of land behind the under-construction Lancaster County Middle/High School on Irvington Road. All are welcome to visit the site which is accessed via Old St John's Road, the northernmost entrance road to the Hills Quarter Community. Turn onto Old St John's Road. The site is on the left just beyond the pond behind the high school. Park across Old St John's Road in the gravel parking lot by the small yellow building. CONTACT If you would like further information about this opportunity and/or if you are interested but don't have a Volunteer River Counties account, please contact Sarah Munroe at smunroe@connectedgardens.com. Organization: River Roots Discovery Gardens DO YOU LOVE OUR NORTHERN NECK PLANTS, PLACES & PEOPLE? *** Does finding resources to connect small non-profits to big futures float your boat? Interested in fueling a unique, creative initiative that will advance community, education, and conservation? Help River Roots Discovery Gardens identify and pursue the mission-aligned funding sources that will put the gardens on the map. DESCRIPTION The 3 pillars that will support River Roots Discovery Gardens’ mission advancement—community, education, and conservation—open broad prospects for grant seeking. Research grant opportunities to identify those targeted to our mission areas, geography, and scope. Leverage grant search databases if possible.Help write compelling grant proposals.Track submission deadlines and award timelines.Help River Roots plan for required impact reporting.Follow up with funders for feedback on how to improve future proposals.TIMING/DURATION Minimum 8 hours/month for 6 months; longer term volunteers welcome! QUALIFICATIONS Strong support of and ability to communicate River Roots Discovery Gardens missionBasic grant research skills with a willingness to advance skills by leveraging digital grant resourcesStrong written and communication skillsAbility to work independentlyComputer skillsLOCATIONS Virtual TRAINING/SUPPORT Access to the garden development team by email and phone for questions and concerns.BENEFITS Play a pivotal role in establishing River Roots Discovery Gardens.Professional developmentShape a brand-new public space.NOTE ABOUT THE RIVER ROOTS DISCOVERY GARDENS SITE The site to be developed as River Roots Discovery Gardens is in Lancaster County, VA, on 14 acres of land behind the under-construction Lancaster County Middle/High School on Irvington Road. All are welcome to visit the site which is accessed via Old St John's Road, the northernmost entrance road to the Hills Quarter Community. Turn onto Old St John's Road. The site is on the left just beyond the pond behind the high school. Park across Old St John's Road in the gravel parking lot by the small yellow building. CONTACT If you would like further information about this opportunity and/or if you are interested but don't have a Volunteer River Counties account, please contact Sarah Munroe at smunroe@connectedgardens.com. Organization: River Roots Discovery Gardens Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Is Ongoing Zip Code: 22480 Allow Groups: Yes |
Volunteer: Community Confab: Event supportDO YOU LOVE OUR NORTHERN NECK PLANTS, PLACES & PEOPLE? *** Do you get your energy from being around other people? Do you enjoy seeding stimulating conversations? Or perhaps you thrive on planning and sharing gracious hospitality? Work with River Roots Discovery Gardens founders and other volunteers to organize a series of ‘Community Confabs’ or ‘kitchen table talks’—small, regularly scheduled, informal meetings at local venues to engage the community in our garden creation. DESCRIPTION The best public spaces reflect the desires and dreams of the communities who will use them. To ensure that River Roots Discovery Gardens will be gardens of and for the Northern Neck, we need help planning, organizing, and running informal sessions where people can connect with each other, with River Roots’ mission, and share ideas of how they’d like to see the gardens evolve. TIMING/DURATION Minimum 4-8 hours/month (depending on role) for 6 months QUALIFICATIONS Enthusiasm for River Roots Discovery Gardens mission Interpersonal skillsAbility to work with teams Organizational skills (for roles planning, running, and organizing attendance and output data)Marketing communication skills (for publicity roles)LOCATIONS Some at garden site*.Other sites to be determined but may include Lancaster Public Library (Kilmarnock), coffee shops, gathering spaces in Irvington/Kilmarnock/White Stone area.TRAINING/SUPPORT Introduction to Community Confab series concept and goals provided.Access to the garden development team by email and phone for questions and concerns.Work with other Community Confab volunteers.BENEFITS Help shape a brand-new public space. Enjoy informal, fun conversations about possibilities. Collaborate with other volunteers to create welcoming events.
The site to be developed as River Roots Discovery Gardens is in Lancaster County, VA, on 14 acres of land behind the under-construction Lancaster County Middle/High School on Irvington Road. All are welcome to visit the site which is accessed via Old St John's Road, the northernmost entrance road to the Hills Quarter Community. Turn onto Old St John's Road. The site is on the left just beyond the pond behind the high school. Park across Old St John's Road in the gravel parking lot by the small yellow building. CONTACT If you would like further information about this opportunity and/or if you are interested but don't have a Volunteer River Counties account, please contact Sarah Munroe at smunroe@connectedgardens.com. Organization: River Roots Discovery Gardens DO YOU LOVE OUR NORTHERN NECK PLANTS, PLACES & PEOPLE? *** Do you get your energy from being around other people? Do you enjoy seeding stimulating conversations? Or perhaps you thrive on planning and sharing gracious hospitality? Work with River Roots Discovery Gardens founders and other volunteers to organize a series of ‘Community Confabs’ or ‘kitchen table talks’—small, regularly scheduled, informal meetings at local venues to engage the community in our garden creation. DESCRIPTION The best public spaces reflect the desires and dreams of the communities who will use them. To ensure that River Roots Discovery Gardens will be gardens of and for the Northern Neck, we need help planning, organizing, and running informal sessions where people can connect with each other, with River Roots’ mission, and share ideas of how they’d like to see the gardens evolve. TIMING/DURATION Minimum 4-8 hours/month (depending on role) for 6 months QUALIFICATIONS Enthusiasm for River Roots Discovery Gardens mission Interpersonal skillsAbility to work with teams Organizational skills (for roles planning, running, and organizing attendance and output data)Marketing communication skills (for publicity roles)LOCATIONS Some at garden site*.Other sites to be determined but may include Lancaster Public Library (Kilmarnock), coffee shops, gathering spaces in Irvington/Kilmarnock/White Stone area.TRAINING/SUPPORT Introduction to Community Confab series concept and goals provided.Access to the garden development team by email and phone for questions and concerns.Work with other Community Confab volunteers.BENEFITS Help shape a brand-new public space. Enjoy informal, fun conversations about possibilities. Collaborate with other volunteers to create welcoming events.
The site to be developed as River Roots Discovery Gardens is in Lancaster County, VA, on 14 acres of land behind the under-construction Lancaster County Middle/High School on Irvington Road. All are welcome to visit the site which is accessed via Old St John's Road, the northernmost entrance road to the Hills Quarter Community. Turn onto Old St John's Road. The site is on the left just beyond the pond behind the high school. Park across Old St John's Road in the gravel parking lot by the small yellow building. CONTACT If you would like further information about this opportunity and/or if you are interested but don't have a Volunteer River Counties account, please contact Sarah Munroe at smunroe@connectedgardens.com. Organization: River Roots Discovery Gardens Opportunity Type: Volunteer Date: Runs Until Oct 17, 2026 Zip Code: 22480 Allow Groups: Yes |