BUCHANAN TOWNSHIP — A 105-acre nature preserve and botanical garden takes a lot of upkeep, according to Elaine Rowland. That upkeep is more necessary when that space is open all year.

Rowland is the director of development and external relations for Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve at 13988 Range Line Road in Buchanan Township. It is seeking volunteers for a number of positions to help the nonprofit and its property flourish.

Betsy Bradley, volunteer coordinator, said that three types of volunteer positions are especially needed:

“Our staff, our members, our supporters, they’re all ambassadors of Fernwood, and especially our volunteers,” Rowland said. “We just really, really appreciate their time and interest in our organization.”

Betsy Bradley, volunteer coordinator, said that she is looking for people to serve in three particular capacities: special events volunteer, Sims Education Center docent and trail service day volunteers.

She said the available positions speak to the scope of volunteer opportunities available. Experience in gardening or hiking or weeding is not necessarily needed.

“I always like to talk to new volunteers when they come in and if they have something to share with us, even if it’s not on our list. I’m always happy to hear what talents and gifts they’re willing to share with us, and seeing how that can further Fernwood’s mission,” she said.

Rowland said volunteers are often a reflection of the supporters and patrons of Fernwood, an array of age, ability, interests, skills, commitment and experiences.

What connects all the volunteers together is their interest in Fernwood, she said.

“Every volunteer that I’ve had for the year that I’ve been here that has been here with longevity, their goal is to support Fernwood,” Bradley said. “Their self-satisfaction in supporting Fernwood is their biggest benefit.”

If someone wants to support Fernwood, that person should apply to be a volunteer, Bradley said.

The most pressing of Bradley’s recommended volunteer positions are trail service volunteers.

Fernwood recently received a grant from Lakeland Health Foundations to improve the trails, so Fernwood is hosting two service days from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sept. 6 and 7.

“We have wonderful trail monitors that commit to walking the trails for two to three hours a week on their scheduled weeks,” Bradley said. “They do a great job, but this gives them more support.”

While individual volunteers ages 16 and up are welcomed, the events themselves constitute larger groups of people. Bradley said she hopes to find organizations, businesses, clubs or service groups that may be interested in bringing its members out to help that weekend.

Volunteers interested in helping on a select number of days may want to apply to help at special events, Bradley said.

“They would not be possible if it wasn’t for our wonderful volunteer team,” she said.

The backbone of programs like Halloween Happening, Breakfast with Santa and Holiday Market are its volunteers, Rowland said.

The final volunteer program needing participants is the docent program for the Sims Education Center, which will celebrate its one-year anniversary in October. The new center’s diverse offerings and new presence make it a popular stop, Rowland said.

The commitment for the center is flexible, Bradley said. Volunteers can choose to set up a schedule to volunteer or come in when they can.

If prospective volunteers have an interest in libraries, architecture, animals or birds, being a docent would work well.

“All of those come into play with this building, and they can kind of pick up on those conversations when people enter,” Rowland said. “It’s a really fun position because you get to talk all the time.”

Prospective volunteers must fill out an application, which can be found at fernwoodbotanical.org. A full list of positions and descriptions can be found there as well.

They can also learn more about each position available on the site, but Bradley recommends emailing her at bbradley@fernwoodbotanical.org or calling (269) 695-6491 ext. 207.

After filling out an application, a prospective volunteer will fill out a background check and meet with Bradley to discuss where skills would best match needs.