Volunteer Appreciation Party 2019

Stories

Volunteer Appreciation Party 2019

Written by Davita Flowers-Shanklin

Wednesday, 09 October 2019

We are so excited for fall in the Volunteer Department, not just because we get a lot of awesome fall volunteers, but because fall means it is almost time for the Volunteer Appreciation Party! We spend the fall reflecting on the past year as an organization, and we especially love to think about how truly amazing our Volunteers are.

As many of you know, the Urban Ecology Center was started by a group of volunteers and because of this, volunteers are integrated into every part of what we do. We have volunteers helping by leading programs, be with school groups or with research and community scientists.

Volunteers help on our land by picking up trash, planting native species, mulching trails, and removing invasive species. They also help us as receptionists, they help with mailings, and the fix things around our building. This year over 3,600 individuals volunteered more than 22,000 hours of their time. That is INCREDIBLE! That’s approximately 916 days!

VAP invite 2019 03

To say thank you, the Urban Ecology Center would like to invite you to the Volunteer Appreciation Candlelight Thank You Walk. This is something new this year we are trying. Rather than just our normal party, we thought, “Hey! Let’s get our volunteers outside doing something cool as way to say thank you!”

The first part of the evening will be outside. Volunteers will be greeted at the fire pit and lead around the oak circle by staff. Along the walk, there will be stops of appreciation. Register for a Walk (RSVP before Nov 8):

Attending only. No Walk

Once the walk is finished, volunteers can head inside where there will be hot drinks, appetizers, music, and laughter. To close out the evening, the volunteer team and members of the board or leadership will say a few words.

This year's Volunteer Appreciation Party is
Wednesday, November 13th | 5 - 8 pm
Riverside Park Urban Ecology Center | 1500 E. Park Pl.

RSVP before Nov 8

Schedule of events

5-6:30 pm

Campfire fun and Candlelight Appreciation Hike

6:30-7:30 pm

Enjoy a delicious arrangement of heavy appetizers and desserts

7:30-8 pm

Final Thank You and Closing Party

RSVP Here

This event should be full of love, (candle)light, and many thanks. We hope that every volunteer knows how much they mean to us because we know that we couldn’t do what we do without you!

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Upcycled Autumn Decorations A Snake Story

Davita Flowers-Shanklin

A Milwaukee Native, Davita’s love for nature came from her time spent in her neighborhood park (Washington Park), the summers spent at camp, and visiting family in the Rocky Mountains. Davita’s dreams spanned from swimming with dolphins as a marine biologist, trekking into the great savannas of Africa as a big cat vet, and breathing in lots of old dust as a Egyptologist. Dreams change, Davita got her B.A. from Macalester College and M.S. from the University of Oregon, both degrees in environmental studies with concentrations in biology, ecological restoration, and environmental justice. She loves to travel and work outside. She has two cats and loves going to the movies.