Service Saturdays - This new opportunity is perfect for people who want to support MetroParks' mission to protect our region's natural heritage but have limited time during the week. Service Saturdays do not require training and are available every third Saturday through October. This month's Service Saturday is Sept. 18 from 9 AM to noon and offers such opportunities as trail work, gardening and seed collection. Because these opportunities are open to the public, you can invite your family, friends and coworkers to volunteer with you.
Recreation - The Twin Valley Trail (TVT) Challenge is back Sept. 25 at Germantown and Twin Creek MetroParks. The Twin Valley Trail Challenge is a non-competitive hiking endurance event along the 28.7-mile Twin Valley Trail, during which users can hike just one or several miles as a group, solo or with family. Participate in the TVT Challenge or opt to support hikers as a volunteer at one of four aid stations, the registration station or as a grill master.
Gardening - You can help MetroParks feed the community by volunteering to harvest produce grown in MetroParks' gardens. Produce gleaned from the gardens is given to local nonprofit Access to Excess and distributed to those in the community who lack access to fresh, affordable produce. Sign up for a volunteer shift at the farm at Possum Creek MetroPark, or the heirloom garden at Carriage Hill MetroPark's historical farm.
Conservation - MetroParks' Go Nuts! challenge is back. Thanks to volunteers, our annual fall seed collection makes reforestation projects possible in MetroParks and surrounding communities - including those impacted by the 2019 Memorial Day tornadoes. Help our conservation staff protect the region's natural heritage by volunteering to collect seeds for various native trees and shrubs, which will then be propagated for future reforestation projects.
Programing - New opportunities will be offered as available each month, so check our program support sign up often to see available opportunities and how you can help. Naturalist trainings began Aug. 25, but those interested can still jump in and get started. Becoming a naturalist volunteer is a journey, and the impact MetroParks has on connecting people to nature is greater when volunteers are a part of our team. We continue to offer opportunities for volunteer naturalists to build skills and support various educational programs, such as school tours, Conservation Kids programs and our wildlife ambassadors. Contact volunteer services to learn more about becoming a naturalist volunteer.
New Digital Volunteer Hub Coming Soon
Get Connected is our new volunteer hub, powered by Galaxy Digital, a top-ranked volunteer management system. This platform will make finding volunteer opportunities, signing up and tracking volunteer hours much easier.
Additionally, the system will provide a one-stop shop for volunteer communications, information and high-quality online volunteer training.
Select volunteers and staff leads have been piloting Get Connected during the past few weeks to ensure the site and training materials are easy to access and follow. Soon, we will be sharing the site and site materials with all MetroParks volunteers and staff leads. Additionally, volunteer services will schedule several open houses to help introduce the site and get everyone connected this fall.
Save the Date for Make a Difference Day
The final Service Saturday of the season falls on Make a Difference Day, Saturday, Oct. 23. From 9 AM to noon, volunteers can support MetroParks' parks, trails and conservation areas through a variety of opportunities.
Similar to Adopt-A-Park, Make a Difference Day is one of MetroParks' annual days of service when hundreds of volunteers pledge their time to spruce up MetroParks. Just like Service Saturdays, Make A Difference Day is open to the public and a great opportunity for teens, families and groups to support MetroParks.
Make a Difference Day is sponsored by Montgomery County Environmental Services, Keep Montgomery County Beautiful, LexisNexis and QEI Engineers Inc.
Looking for additional volunteer opportunities? Check out our MetroParks volunteer opportunities page. Need help finding the right opportunity or assistance getting signed up? Contact volunteer services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or 937-275-PARK.
Volunteer Spotlight: Charlie Wiltrout
If you have been to Carriage Hill MetroPark's historical farm during the last 36-plus years, you have likely met longtime volunteer Charlie Wiltrout. A man of many talents, he began his journey with Five Rivers MetroParks and Carriage Hill MetroPark in the blacksmith shop at the historical farm.
"Charlie has been such a big part of Carriage Hill throughout the years," said MetroParks historic education supervisor Rick Musselman. "His dedication to the farm and its programing is amazing. He truly loves what he does and is a vital piece of bringing the history to life. Volunteers like Charlie are so valuable, as they constantly give and help in so many ways."
With skill and personality, Wiltrout's enthusiasm for connecting people with interesting things on the farm is key to the impact he makes with staff and volunteers.
"He is - and has been - a steady presence at the Carriage Hill historical farm during my 17 years here," said Deb Spencer, interpreter at the historical farm. "He teaches by doing, by being and patiently watching. Charlie is appreciative and helpful. He is comfortable behind a team of Percheron draft horses, repairing 19th century farm equipment, butchering hogs, cutting ice off the lake, blacksmithing, making maple sugar and sorghum molasses, feeding all the farm animals, and so much more. I am honored to know and count it a privilege to work with Charlie."
Join us in thanking Wiltrout for the time and talent he has so generously given to Five Rivers MetroParks.
Volunteer Resources
COVID-19 Update
As of Tuesday, Aug. 24, face coverings are now required for all staff, volunteers, visitors and vendors for all indoor spaces when social distancing of at least six feet cannot be maintained. This also pertains to vehicles with more than one occupant. For the most recent COVID-19 related agency updates, visit www.metroparks.org/covid.
Volunteer Services is available if you have questions or need assistance in signing up. Contact us at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or (937) 275-7275.
Contact Information
Allie Zimmerman - Parks & Conservation (937) 274-3176Candy Holloway - Horticulture & Sustainability (937) 275-5006
Janelle Leonard - Business Operations & Visitor Services (937) 277-5445
Yvonne Dunphe - Outdoor Connections Programming (937) 277-4147
Jenny Hymans - Human Resources Manager of Volunteer Services (937) 567-1413
