Volunteers Community Partners

Volunteer Opportunities

We’re always looking for enthusiastic volunteers to join us at our hands-on events throughout the Finger Lakes! These volunteer days bring community members together to tackle invasive species, restore habitats, and learn new skills, all while making a real impact on the health of our local ecosystems. Whether we’re removing invasive plants, planting natives, surveying trails, or cleaning up shoreline areas, every event offers a chance to get outside, meet new people, and contribute to meaningful conservation work. No experience is needed, just your willingness to jump in and help protect the places you love.

As of April 2026, all volunteers are required to fill out and/or acknowledge the Volunteer Waiver and Release Form. You can access the document here: FLI volunteer waiver 260406

Sign the volunteer waiter here:

FLI Volunteer Waiver and Release Form

  • The Volunteer Waiver and Release Form covers all activities and programs related to the Finger Lakes PRISM and Finger Lakes Institute at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. You only need to fill it out once.

See a list of volunteer opportunities below

Water Chestnut Pulls

Water chestnut (Trapa natans) is a high priority aquatic invasive species in the Finger Lakes and we’re looking for passionate people to help us control it! Water chestnut can be removed by hand and is a great outdoor activity that helps protect the environment. 

In 2022 season, we pulled over 13,000 pounds of water chestnut at 14 locations across the Finger Lakes region; and in 2023, we removed 7,500 pounds pounds of plant material. This was made possible with the help of all the dedicated volunteers and partners that joined us throughout our field seasons. Currently, water chestnut hand pull events are planned through the end of June and the month of July, before the plants mature and begin to reseed. Kayaks or canoes are freely provided for all volunteers, based on registration. Check out our list of 2026 events below:

Water Chestnut Pulls in Rochester, NY

  • Wednesday, June 24th from 10am-1pm
    • Salmon Creek at Braddock Bay Tavern and Grill, 372 Manitou Rd, Hilton, NY 14468
  • Saturday, June 27th from 10am-1pm
    • Long Pond in multiple locations (more info upon sign-up)
  • Wednesday, July 1st from 10am-1pm
    • Braddock Bay in multiple locations (more info upon sign-up)

Please email Mat Morris (mmorris@greeceny.gov) to RSVP for any of these three events above.

Water Chestnut Pull in Penn Yan, NY

  • Thursday, July 2nd from 9:30am-12pm

Aquatic Invasive Plant Pull in Naples, NY

  • Wednesday, July 29th from 9am-12pm
    • Canandaigua Lake Inlet, Woodville DEC Boat Launch
    • We will remove both water chestnut and European frogbit from this site.
    • Sign up here!

Water Chestnut Pull in Trumansburg, NY

  • Thursday, July 9th from 9:30am-12pm

European Frogbit Pulls

European frog-bit (Hydrocharis morus-ranae) is an aquatic invasive species in the Finger Lakes and we’re looking for passionate people to help us control it! Hand-pulling is suitable to control individual plants or small infestations, and participating in one of our pulls is a great outdoor activity that helps protect the environment. Kayaks or canoes are freely provided for all volunteers, based on registration. Check out our list of 2026 events below:

European Frog-bit Pull in Honeoye, NY

  • Tuesday, July 28th from 9:30am-12pm
    • Honeoye Lake Inlet, Honeoye Lake State Boat Launch
    • Sign up here!

Aquatic Invasive Plant Pull in Naples, NY

  • Wednesday, July 29th from 9am-12pm
    • Canandaigua Lake Inlet, Woodville DEC Boat Launch
    • We will remove both water chestnut and European frogbit from this site.
    • Sign up here!

Email Education and Outreach Program Manager Laurel Williams at lwilliams@hws.edu or AIS Program Manager Catherine Farrell at cfarrell@hws.edu for any questions!