Volunteer

Elementary School Field Trips

Every year, nearly 1,300 elementary school children take field trips to the BFEC to connect with nature and learn about science through hands-on exploration. The program would not be possible without the 50+ volunteers that sign up annually for the fall or spring field trip season.

BFEC Gardens

From spring until fall, the BFEC gardens are a busy place. The wildlife garden features over 60 species of native plants that attract birds and butterflies. Volunteers help with planting, weeding, growing seedlings, composting, and greeting visitors. Contact our Facility Coordinator and Office Administrator, Bonnie Schutte at schutte1@kenyon.edu to sign up.

Trails and Invasive Plant Removal

The 9-mile trail system at the BFEC needs regular attention, as does our invasive plant control effort. Volunteers remove fallen branches or trees, trim back vegetation, remove patches of invasive plants and replace missing trail markers. This work can be physically demanding, but it also has its rewards. Contact Noelle Jordan at jordan2@kenyon.edu to learn more.

Bluebird Monitoring

The BFEC installed a dozen Bluebird nesting boxes in 1999 to assist this colorful species that is threatened by habitat loss. The trail now includes 35 nesting boxes, from which over 1,100 young bluebirds have fledged over the years.  Volunteers walk the bluebird trail to check on nesting boxes in order to limit disturbance by pests, adding to long-term data about nesting success in the process. Contact Noelle Jordan at jordan2@kenyon.edu to learn more.

Special Events and More

Every year the BFEC hosts a variety of special events including the Earth Day Festival and our Fall Harvest Festival. These events wouldn't be possible without the help of dedicated volunteers!

There's never a shortage of tasks to complete at the Resource Center year-round. If you're looking for another way to contribute, contact us about what's going on behind the scenes.

Stay Informed

Sign up for our newsletter and don't miss updates and news about upcoming events.

Become a Member

When you become a member of the BFEC, you receive benefits such as:

• Staying in touch with our quarterly newsletter and event notices
• Preferred status for select workshops and events
• Discounts on high quality bird seed sold at the BFEC  
• The satisfaction of helping to create a healthier natural world for all Knox Countians to enjoy

Membership Levels

Student - $20 Individual - $35 Family - $50
Friend - $100 Patron - $250 Benefactor - $1,000 & above

Payment Options:

1) Pay online with a credit card by visiting support-bfec.kenyon.edu.

2) Make check payable to Kenyon College. Send your name, address, telephone number and contribution to the following address:

Brown Family Environmental Center
at Kenyon College
P.O. Box 508
Gambier, OH 43022-9989

Your donation is tax-deductible as allowed by law. The Brown Family Environmental Center is part of Kenyon College, a 501C (3) nonprofit organization.