Help Us Harvest Vines and More for our Holiday Wreath-Making Workshop!

PVAS Host: Sonja Melander

Free and open to the public. For ages 16 and older. All youth must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required and limited to 16 participants.

PVMN Volunteer Credit Eligible.

Join us for a volunteer workday to help collect the invasive honeysuckle vines—and possibly Oriental bittersweet and other materials— that will be used for our wreath-making workshop the following Saturday.

Volunteers will work in small groups of two to three people and should be prepared to go slightly off-trail on uneven ground to cut and gather vines.

This workday directly supports our upcoming wreath-making workshop, where participants transform the harvested vines into unique holiday decorations while learning some invasive plant identification, foraging ethics, and the environmental benefits of removing invasive species.

• Walking Distance: 1-1.5 miles
• Pace/Activities: Self-paced
• Exposure: Partial shade. Some areas of full sun.
• Terrain: Slightly off-trail into the woods – uneven ground Gentle slopes/rolling hills
• Restroom: Indoor, flushing restrooms are available in the Case Nature Center.
• Parking/Where to Meet: Check in at the back deck near the bottom of the stairs next to the Case Nature Center.
• What to Bring: Dress for the weather, bring water, have work gloves, and wear sturdy shoes! You may also want to consider bringing snacks. We will have some tools, but your favorite loppers/pruners would also be good to bring!

Register Now!

Registration will remain open until the start of the program.

Read our pricing structure & policies.

Are you interested in supporting this program but cannot attend the workday? Here are other ways you can help: 

• Donate decorations: We would love to have a collection of: Christmas tree cuttings, pine branches, ribbon, pinecones, broomgrass, and nandina (ONLY if berries are removed). You can drop them off at Cool Spring Preserve anytime the week of December 8-12 – we will have a trailer parked outside on the grass by the nature center where these items can be dropped off.
• Assist at the program: Sign up as a Program Assistant and help with the program! Under the guidance of Ellen Kinzer, assistants will help with setup and cleanup, keep the work area organized as much as possible throughout the program, and help the participants with their wreathmaking! No special training is required, except that the volunteers must have volunteered with PVAS at a program in the past and should be “crafty” enough to successfully help participants with their creations! Volunteers may sign up to assist at one or multiple time slots. Arrive 30 minutes prior to the program start.
  • Sign up for 9:30-11:30 am
  • Sign up for 12 – 2 pm 
  • Sign up for 2 – 4 pm.