Volunteer Opportunities
Battery Park City Parks Conservancy currently has three volunteer programs: Horticultural Volunteers, Master Anglers, and corporate volunteers. Each program involves a real commitment from our volunteers in order to justify our commitment in return.
Horticulture Volunteer Program:
The goal of BPCPC’s Horticulture Volunteer Program is to create the opportunity for personal community involvement and contribution by working alongside our staff horticulturists, participating in daily gardening routines. As part of the program BPCPC teaches volunteers basic horticulture skills as well as basic horticulture knowledge of plants, soil and proper maintenance. This program is very important to our Horticulture Department because the volunteers become knowledgeable enough to be really helpful.
BPCPC requires volunteers to commit to the full season (May 1st through October 31st) as training requires time and effort on the part of our horticultural staff. Volunteers must be able to work on Wednesday mornings from 7:30 a.m. until 12:00 noon. Volunteers are expected to arrive early enough to change clothes and get prepared to go out into the field with staff. This is a team effort and it is important to meet this basic commitment.
Volunteers are representatives of BPCPC when they are on site. Courtesy and appropriate behavior must be observed at all times toward the public, each other and BPCPC staff. In addition, BPCPC has a commitment to the safety of its staff, volunteers and the public. Therefore, good safety practices must be observed at all times.
Volunteers will be issued a special T-shirt and BPCPC hat at the beginning of the season to identify them as a member of our team. BPCPC’s dress code requires all personnel (volunteer and paid) working in the field to wear BPCPC uniforms. Lost t-shirts or hats will be replaced at cost. Volunteers must provide their own work gloves, protective footwear and rain gear.
Master Anglers Program:
BPCPC runs an extensive Marine Education Program for the benefit of NYC’s school children and the general public. Each year over 1,000 children, and their teachers visit Battery Park City’s Wagner Park to learn about the ecology of the Hudson River and to actually learn how to fish. BPCPC also offers several public fishing events (Go Fish) each year, in spring and fall. In addition to staff, BPCPC has Master Angler volunteers to enhance the public’s experience at these events.
BPCPC’s Master Angler volunteers are avid fisherfolk who also have an interest in sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm with the public. Interested anglers should contact BPCPC (see below). We prefer to start Master Angler Volunteers in the spring so please try to contact us in February or March. Our staff will then reach out to you for an interview and to discuss your skills, patience and ability to communicate with all kinds of people.
Corporate Volunteers:
BPCPC is delighted to work with corporate groups interested in giving back to this community. We offer both clean up and gardening projects but the size of the group and the time of year will determine potential projects. BPCPC charges a fee if there are materials or equipment required to accommodate the group. If your company is interested in supporting the parks of Battery Park City through volunteerism please contact us through [email protected]. Make sure that you include the size of your group, the time of year your group would like to work, and the day of the week/time of day. We will have a staff person get right back to you with ideas on how we can work together.
