Dock Street Solarization

Please register for this event on the CF Engage website, found here: https://www.cfengage.org/opportunity/a0CNw0000GUwDCmMQN/dock-street-solarization

Volunteer Position Description and Purpose:
Join the James River Park System’s Invasive Species Management team at Dock Street Park for our second year of solarization! Dock Street is one of our newer additions to the park system on the north side of the river. Our ongoing management here at Dock St includes working to remove the highly invasive and very difficult to kill Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense). Last year, we did a test run of a new method called “solarization,” a process that involves laying down a sheet of plastic over a space throughout the hottest months of the year to essentially heat-kill the existing plant material. That project was a huge success, so we’re continuing with another section of the park! Once these areas are cleared, we can till them up a bit and reseed the space with a native meadow mix.

Volunteers will help the ISM and Operations teams with the park in spreading out our plastic sheeting and burying the edges so everything stays put for the next few months. Gloves and tools will be provided.

Volunteer Duties & Responsibilities:

*Register to participate and receive updates about event.

*Arrive by the start time (9am). Stay until the end of event (12pm).

*Sturdy closed-toe shoes are required.

*Bring drinking water.

*Sunscreen and/or hat and/or UV protection shirt are highly recommended!

*In addition to the event description (above), physical activities also include walking, bending, kneeling, and squatting. With questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the event coordinator prior to event.

*Experience isn’t necessary (But learning is!)

Hazards include but are not limited to: heat! We thankfully won’t be dealing with our normal hazards like poison ivy, but we will be in a wide open space with the sun on us. We will have a water cooler on site and everyone will be encouraged to take breaks.

Time Commitment:
This is a 3 hour event. Please arrive at or before the start time (9am) and plan to stay throughout the event (12pm).

Other Information (if applicable):

We will go over everything in greater detail on the day of the event
For safety purposes, this is an 18+ event. There will be heavy machinery on site that we will be working near at points, and we want to make sure everyone is safe.
Parking information: There is parking available at Shiplock Park and Intermediate Terminal. Parking can also be found along parts of Dock St and along Pear St as well. Please allow for time to find parking!