Mulching Animal Enclosures with the Duke Lemur Center!
April 13th, 1-4 pm
Founded in 1966 on the campus of Duke University in Durham, NC, the Duke Lemur Center is a world leader in the study, care, and protection of lemurs—Earth’s most threatened group of mammals. In April we will be preparing to reopen the Lemur Center to the public and could use help in preparing our tour path enclosures and/or grounds spaces with a fresh coat of wood chip mulch! Participants would assist with filling wheelbarrows with wood chips, wheeling them to various sites around the center, and raking the wood chips out to freshen up the grounds. Lighter tasks like weeding are available in the same work area for anyone who needs them. A tour to see lemurs is included at the end of the service project!
Duke Lemur Center, 3705 Erwin Road, Durham, NC 27705
Participants should enter through our Erwin Road entrance and keep driving up the long driveway past several Duke Forest buildings and storage structures. They will then go through a second gate into the DLC property and should turn into the parking lot on the right labeled for faculty/staff. We use this lot for DLC volunteers and service days and the group will meet there. Note: Google Maps sometimes tries to bring people through the unmarked back entrance off of Cornwallis Rd. Volunteers enter through the main entrance.
Participants should bring a mask with them to wear when required. We required masks when indoors and anytime we are around animal enclosures (inside and outside). Masks will otherwise be optional for parts of the service event that are outside and away from animal spaces. We are working under the assumption that lemurs could get COVID and therefore are being very careful around them at the center. Participants must wear closed-toed shoes and are encouraged to dress in comfortable clothes for working hard and getting dirty. Participants are not allowed to carry any human food/drink besides water with them throughout the service day. We encourage participants to bring reusable water bottles that they can refill throughout the service day. We do not provide water bottles, but there are some available for purchase in the Lemur Landing gift shop.
Tools and work gloves will be provided by the DLC. Please bring your own bug spray and sunscreen.
Terrain is uneven for the project and at times during the tour. Face masks are required for the tour portion of the event when we are around the lemurs. We will spend the first 2 hours on an outdoor maintenance project and then will tour the center to see lemurs. For the safety of the lemurs and our guests, no visitors are allowed any physical contact with the animals. Our lemurs are wild animals. When in the free-range enclosures, we require visitors to be at least six feet from the animals at all times.
This is a rain or shine event. If the weather conditions prohibit a specific project from taking place, we will work with you and the project host to coordinate an alternate date.
Contact your team representative for any questions leading up to the event.
For day-of questions, please contact Erin Hecht. Email: erin.hecht@duke.edu | Day-Of Phone: (703) 965-1784
Learn More About Duke Lemur Center
A world leader in the study, care, and protection of lemurs
The Duke Lemur Center (DLC) is part of Duke University and houses the largest and most diverse collection of lemurs found outside of Madagascar. Situated on 100 acres, the DLC is a living laboratory that conducts non-invasive research and is open to the public as part of its outreach mission. The DLC also is a conservation organization conducting more than 25 years of in situ field work aimed at protecting the flora and fauna of Madagascar. With more than 200 animals across 14 species, the DLC houses the world’s largest and most diverse population of lemurs outside their native Madagascar.
Engagement Opportunities:
Duke Lemur Center has ongoing service event opportunities for companies to continue engagement and corporate sponsorship opportunities for special events and student programs. Ask about ways to get involved during your volunteer project!
View all Projects Across the Triangle!