Schuylkill Center's Volunteer Day Slated for Saturday

Saturday's volunteer day at the Schuylkill Center gives community members an opportunity to get dirty for a good cause. 

"It's a chance to do something a little different and really put your passion for nature into action," Kimberly Kunda, the marketing and public relations manager for the center, said. 

The volunteer day will run from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and the main goal of the event, Kunda said, is getting rid of non-native plants in the center's meadow. 

"We really try to minimize or eliminate invasive plant species," she said. "That gives the native plants an opportunity to flourish."

It is recommended that those interested in attending wear long pants, sturdy shoes and bring some water. 

"Flip flops would not be a good idea for this event," Kunda said, adding that it is a family-friendly event and all ages are welcome. 

Gloves and gardening tools will be provided by the center. 

Although it really depends on the weather, Kunda said the center's periodic volunteer days are normally pretty well attended. As of Thursday 10 people had already registered for the event. 

"It's great because many hands make light work," she said, adding that volunteers are integral in the preservation center's preservation efforts of  help preserve the center's 350-acres of forest and green space. 

"It really helps to have people come out once in awhile," she said. "When people come out to these days they really get a lot out of it. Yes they get dirty but then they realize that they helped make something beautiful."

The event is also an opportunity to "unplug."

"These days we spend so much time on our cell phones or in front of the computer that we don't get to see nature," she said, adding that participating in the volunteer day will give attendees the chance to see local speices of birds and butterflies in the meadow. 

For more information about the volunteer day or other events at the center call 215-482-7300.