Pinelands Preservation Alliance

Preserving the resources of the New Jersey Pinelands

If you would like to get involved with Pinelands preservation while learning, having fun and meeting interesting people, we have many opportunities for you. Join our crew and represent PPA at festivals, lead walks, give talks, take action or help with mail campaigns. Whatever your skills or interests, we can use them.

We offer general training on Pinelands issues and the work of PPA as well as specific training for certain positions. We cannot do the many things we do without our volunteer crew and greatly appreciate their support. Our volunteers make a difference and make the world a better place. Please read on to find your place in Pinelands preservation.

Pinelands Watch - is an exciting program that allows you to become an activist and participate in preservation through letters, phone calls and e-mails as well as other activities. This program is highly suitable for busy people as the level of commitment is self-determined and flexible. Every two months you will receive a newsletter from PPA detailing the important issues that require action of some sort. You may be asked to write a letter to a decision maker, send an E-mail to a municipality, monitor a development or make a phone call.

View an issue of Pinelands Watch.
Sign up to receive the next issue.

Skills Bank - PPA carries out many program projects that a variety of technical and specialist skills. Volunteers are needed to help with these projects. Do you have relevant scientific and technical expertise (e.g. endangered species, pollution, civil engineering)?Please check back for updated postings or register your skills and availability with us.

Speakers Bureau - One of the most effective methods of getting people engaged in Pinelands preservation is by educating them about the ecosystem and the harm that is being done to it. The best way to do this is to show images of the Pinelands - the plants, the animals and the ecosystem.

To this end, PPA has produced a visually stunning presentation about the nature, culture and ecology of the region. The past is presented and the future discussed through images that reflect the serenity, beauty and importance of this great place.

These presentations are provided to service organizations, schools, garden clubs, civic associations, etc. Demand for presentations usually outstrips supply so we look for volunteer presenters to take our message to the planet. Full training is provided on every aspect of the presentation from the technical details to the keys to handling questions and queries.

Fairs and Festivals - Having a presence at local and regional Fairs and Festivals is a great way to meet our members and supporters and to gain new members and supporters. During the spring and fall we are busy across the state exhibiting at a wide variety of shows and talking to people about what we do and how they can help. Fairs are also a great way for us to sell PPA merchandise like t-shirts, mugs, posters and books.

We can attend these fairs thanks to the volunteers who are willing to man a booth for a day or a part of a day and while manning the booth sign up new members, give out information and sell merchandise. We provide comprehensive training for this fun but demanding position.

Pinelands Month and Pinelands Celebration - During the month of October we celebrate the Pinelands. PPA sponsors an annual Calendar of Events to promote the activities taking place during the month. The calendar of Events is pulled together mostly by a volunteer committee. If you are outgoing, organized and happy to use the phone to solicit entries for the Calendar we could use your help.

At the beginning of October, PPA hosts a celebration event. This event is hugely popular and continues to grow every year with people traveling from across the state and out of state to participate in our nature themed event. The day is staffed by volunteers who man booths, host workshops, lead trips and generally help out. A volunteer committee organizes this event. If you are organized, timely and like interacting with people we could use your help.

Help us in the office - With 1.1 million acres to preserve and a staff of 10 people we are always overwhelmed by office duties like maintaining our website, entering data and updating our files. We have a number of dedicated volunteers who help us with this part of our work and to whom we are very grateful. If you would like to work in an informal, sometimes fun and always interesting office environment as a volunteer please let us know. We train and we support.

Outreach Mailings - One of our core activities is communication. We send out newsletters, publications, brochures, meeting notices, alerts and other communiqués to our friends, members and supporters many times throughout the year, sometimes on the shortest of notice.

As a cost saving measure and because our mailings are time sensitive we generally carry out the mechanics of the mailings in-house at PPA HQ. We gather a group of volunteers around our meeting table provide them with the materials, water bottles, labels and stamps. It is quite amazing the number of publications that can flow out of that meeting room in a day and the amount of laughter that floats through the office when a mailing is in progress.

Outdoors Education and Recreation - PPA sponsors canoe trips, tours, hikes, seminars, etc. to enhance public awareness of the uniqueness of the Pinelands. Event organizers, leaders, and support personnel are needed to help organize and manage the events. Staff support is provided.

Volunteer Orientation - Pinelands Overview - An opportunity for those interested in volunteering with the Pinelands Preservation Alliance to learn about the Pinelands unique ecosystem, why it is at risk and how volunteer time and energy can help protect it.

This presentation is held in an informal setting at PPA's office. The format allows plenty of time for questions and discussions. Areas covered include history and folklore, flora and fauna, uplands and wetlands, the Pinelands Comprehensive Management Plan, current threats, PPA’s mission and organizational structure and volunteer opportunities. The date of the next overview will be posted here soon.

Other Volunteer Opportunities in the Pinelands - If you have not found any opportunities suitable to your skills and availability please visit the other organizations that work to protect our environment and use the great work of volunteers to do it.

Those who give the gift of their time, energy, and skills greatly enhance PPA's ability to be "efficient"—to do the thing right—and "effective"—to do the right thing. Thank you.