Each year, the Sharon Audubon Center taps hundreds of sugar maple trees to begin our maple syrup production. Volunteers are needed to help with all aspects of this operation, including tapping trees, putting up or replacing old pipeline on the sugarbush, collecting and emptying sap buckets, and keeping the fire stoked in the sugarhouse. Tapping usually begins in mid-February and the "season" typically ends in late March. Sap is boiled constantly for maple sugaring programs for school children as well as late into the night. Fires need to be supervised at all times to assure prevention of burning boiling pans, sap overflow, and stray hot ashes. No experience is necessary—Audubon staff train volunteers on sugaring tasks. Volunteers are needed on weekdays, evenings, and weekends. Hours depend on sap flow.

If you are interested in this volunteer opportunity or would like to learn more, please contact us at the Sharon Audubon Center.