Volunteer

BFS Volunteer workdays

Become a BFF of the BFS – Volunteer at the Bernard Field Station!

Please join us to help maintain, improve, and study the unique ecological resources of the Bernard Field Station! This academic year, we are holding our volunteer work days on the second Saturday of each month.  Volunteers remove introduced weeds and invasive brush, clear trails, assist with ecological monitoring, and carry out other activities that facilitate study and research at the field station. We invite all who care about our local environment to join us. No experience is needed! Because access to the BFS is restricted, volunteering is a great way to visit the BFS and learn more about the field station while helping out.

We are continuing to implement additional measures to ensure that all volunteers have a safe experience. 

Requirements for volunteer workday participation:

  • Only those 15 and older may volunteer at this time.
  • All participants must preregister with our online registration forms (linked next to each shift below).
    To ensure that everyone can work safely and have a meaningful experience, the number of volunteers per workday/work period is limited, so be sure to register early so that you are not closed out! However, we request that you do not sign up, if you cannot make it.
  • Waivers of liability are required for everyone not affiliated with the Claremont Colleges.
    Everyone who is not an employee or student of the Claremont College must sign a liability waiver. Waivers for minors need to be signed by a parent or legal guardian. You may download the waiver form, sign it, and bring it with you. We will also have forms available when volunteers arrive.
  • Anyone experiencing symptoms of colds, flu, COVID-19, or other illness may NOT participate.
  • Wearing a face mask or cloth face covering is welcomed, but not required.
  • Any participant who develops COVID-19 symptoms or has a positive COVID-19 test in the week following the workday must notify the organizers.
    This is required so that we can notify other participants of a possible exposure.

Workdays for Spring 2025 will be held on the second Saturday of each month. There may not be a workday in January. For each workday, there will be two shifts for volunteers (8 to 10 AM and 10 AM to 12 PM). Registration will open on the Monday before each workday:

The schedule of workdays for Spring 2025 is yet to be determined.  Workdays are not held during June, July, and August.

Schedule of BFS Workdays for Spring 2025. Please note that plans are tentative – workdays may be canceled or rescheduled for weather or other issues! Check back for updates!

Date Activity Number of volunteers
needed for each shift
February 8th
8:00 AM–10:00 AM
10:00 AM–12:00 Noon		 Out-planting plants outside the BFS gate, along the ecological walk 12 per shift
March 8th
8:00 AM–10:00 AM
10:00 AM–12:00 Noon		 Remove non-native species (TBD)  10 per shift
April 12th 
8:00 AM–10:00 AM
10:00 AM–12:00 Noon		 Remove non-native species (TBD) 10 per shift
May 10th
8:00 AM–10:00 AM
10:00 AM–12:00 Noon		 TBD 10 per shift

Meet at the main BFS entrance on Foothill Blvd promptly at the start time of the workday. Wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, closed-toed shoes, and a mask. Instructions, tools, and supplies will be provided, but do bring water and sunscreen.

For more information or to be notified of volunteer workdays, please contact the BFS Director Wallace Meyer “Marty”, at wallace.meyer@pomona.edu.