How You Can Help

Volunteer Opportunities

Tree Plantings

planting snowbell seeds Work-intensive tree plantings are held late October/early November for endangered species re-introduction program with the Texas snowbell on 11 different properties in western Texas. Lodging, food and mileage are provided by the Bamberger Ranch Preserve. Help is needed, but space is limited.

Susan Evans, Shirley Winslow and Ann Cook help plant seeds from Dolan Falls of the endangered Texas Snowbell. These will eventually be planted on private land in their proper watershed of the Devils River.

Trail Work

Central Texas Trail Tamers building trails Central Texas Trail Tamers hold a volunteer work day once a year, usually in January, helping Bamberger Ranch Preserve rebuild trails, blaze new trails and other work-intensive projects. Work is at all levels - some heavy lifting and for those just wanting a day out in the elements, cedar is always needing to be cut! Work days begin at 8 a.m. and go until 4:30 and Selah provides beer and tamales at the end of the day!

Trail Guides and Naturalists

Volunteer, Susan Evans, with 5th graders, collecting aquatic invertebrates Help with school groups. You do not need to have vast scientific knowledge - just enthusiasm to share with children. Training is provided by Bamberger Ranch staff. Texas Master Naturalists can earn required volunteer hours in a variety of our activities. The Austin Astronomical Society has been fabulous over the years, providing star gazing programs for school groups that spend the night, and wildlife rehabilitators are welcome to release rehabilitated critters and share their knowledge with tour groups and school groups.

Bird Surveys

Keith Bartels looking through binoculars on recent bird survey Three times a year birders from all over Texas gather to count birds at Selah. The purpose for these counts is to document the variety of birds found on this scenic central Texas ranch. We gather the evening before the count at the ranch’s Center for a potluck meal and lively conversation. Often we go out in search of night birds. At sunrise on the day of the count we assemble in teams and head out to different sections of the ranch and count all of the birds that we see and hear. By noon we reconvene at the Center and run a tally of the day’s birds. Counts are held during the fall, winter and spring. The highest diversity occurs usually in the spring which also is highlighted by the arrival of two special Central Texas birds, the Golden-cheeked Warbler and the Black-capped Vireo. Organized by Marsha Reimer, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, biologist. Audubon Society birders, birding enthusiasts, beginners and experts are all welcome. Space is limited and all reservations are taken by Marsha Reimer.

Download the complete new list of bird species observed at Selah.

Other Areas

Volunteer RainMakers beside the Rain Machine Additionally you can assist with herbarium collections, GIS monitoring, or perhaps you have other ways you think you might like to contribute to the Selah effort.

We have a wonderful corps group of enthusiastic and passionate volunteers, which expands the 'Selah family' far beyond the staff. If you'd like to join us, please contact us.