Perennial Garden Help Needed

It’s that time of year! If you, or someone you know has a green thumb and is interested in helping us maintain our native pollinator garden at Fairview Farm, we need you. The hard work that goes in to maintaining the beautiful blooms in our Bird and Butterfly garden isn’t always glamorous, but the results sure are! Immediate help is needed to pull weeds and cut back last year’s perennials. Summer help will include weekly watering and weeding – perfect volunteer work for those who prefer early mornings or late afternoons. Please email RHA’s Volunteer Coordinator, Debbie Newcomb at dnewcomb@raritanheadwaters.org for additional information.

Stream Cleanup – sites still in need of cleaning

Thank you to everyone who participated in our April 12th Stream Cleanup event. It was a huge success and we appreciate your efforts! A few of our sites were unable to be cleaned that day due to unexpected snow and muddy, high waters in the northern part of the watershed. If you have a group interested in cleaning a site, there are a few available. Locations and site sizes vary. Please reach out to Volunteer Coordinator, Debbie Newcomb at dnewcomb@raritanheadwaters.org for more information.

Spring Tree Planting Events

Join Restoration Coordinator Robert Lucas for RHA’s annual spring tree planting series scheduled for May 5-6th and May 15th. If you have a group that would like to partake in a planting event, please email Volunteer Coordinator Debbie Newcomb at dnewcomb@raritanheadwaters.org to inquire about availability.

Melick’s Bridge Annandale, Hunterdon County May 5th Day 1 sign up here.

Melick’s Bridge Annandale, Hunterdon County May 6th Day 2 sign up here.

Melick’s Bridge Annandale, Hunterdon County Rain Date (if needed) May 8th Day 1 sign up here.

Melick’s Bridge Annandale, Hunterdon County Rain Date (if needed) May 9th Day 2 sign up here.

Neshanic River Tributary – East Amwell Township, Hunterdon County May 15th sign up here.

Neshanic River Tributary – East Amwell Township, Hunterdon County Rain Date (if needed) May 16th sign up here.

Summer Nature Day Camp – Junior Counselors needed

Sign ups are now available for junior camp counselors for summer 2025. Volunteers ages 13+ are invited to join RHA for a fun learning experience while working alongside our team of educators, teens, and campers. Love the outdoors? Love working with children? Then this volunteer experience is for you!  Click here to visit our events page and scroll down to June, July and August to learn more and sign up.

Spring and Summer 2025 Stewardship Event Dates

On RHA’s preserves, stewardship efforts focus on planting native trees and shrubs to restore forests, removing invasive plants such as Autumn olive, Japanese barberry and Asiatic bittersweet, creating wetlands, improving wildlife habitat value and maintaining trails for the public to access. If you would like to help our efforts, please join Land Stewardship Manager Edward Whitehead at the following events this spring and summer:

Saturday May 24th 9am-12pm – Stewardship event at Fox Hill Preserve in Califon. Click here to sign up.

Wednesday June 4th 9am-11am – Kick off to weekly Watershed Wellness Wednesdays (a 9 week summer series). Click here and scroll down to June and July to view the series and sign up.

Saturday July 12th 9am-11am – Stewardship Event Location TBD. Click here to sign up.

Shedfest Musical Festival

Please hold Sunday June 1st for our annual Shedfest event! Volunteer sign ups are now available by clicking here.

Ride for the River Motorcycle Enthusiast Event Fundraiser

Be sure to hold Saturday, July 12th for RHA’s annual Ride for the River event! Volunteer sign ups are now available by clicking here.

Lantern Walk

This year’s Lantern Walk event is scheduled for Sunday, November 9th. Please hold the date! Volunteer help is always appreciated. Sign ups coming in September.

Corporate Volunteer Groups

If you are a corporation interested in a volunteer day of service, please visit our corporate page to fill out an inquiry form. RHA’s Volunteer Coordinator Debbie Newcomb will respond to you with a list of suggested projects catered to your groups needs.

Scout Projects

Eagle Scouts (and other local troops) are needed to help with the following projects. Please contact Stewardship Manager, Edward Whitehead if interested.

  • Deer fencing implementation at Fairview Farm (large or small exclosure fences to keep deer out of strategic locations)
  • Interpretative sign creation and implementation
  • Park Bench construction and installation
  • Creation and implementation of eel mops and fish ladders to allow eels and fish to travel upstream.
  • Making one of our nature trails more accessible for disabled visitors. This would include plans to make the trail more ADA friendly, enrichment stops along the path involving senses stimulating activities, and other ideas TBD.
  • Propose your own project idea

WET Volunteer Program Initiative

Raritan Headwaters Association is looking for volunteers to join our Watershed Engagement Team (W.E.T.)! W.E.T. Ambassadors are a group of volunteers with expertise in RHA’s programs, mission, and activities. These ambassadors work alongside RHA scientists and staff to engage with the community at local fairs, green festivals, and other events around central New Jersey.

This is a unique opportunity to receive high-level training, share your knowledge, passion, and enthusiasm for watershed protection, meet interesting, like-minded people, and have fun engaging with the community! You will receive a certificate, build your resume, and have access to RHA program director’s expertise. Join our team of fun and friendly professionals!

To join this team you must be age 18 or older and have reliable transportation. Click here to learn more about this exciting new initiative and to fill out an application form today.