In this edition of the Volunteer Newsletter:
- Feature: Volunteer Updates - What's NEW in Volunteerism this Month
- Volunteer Spotlight: Miamisburg High School Vocational Block Program - Learning about Nature and Getting a Sense of Accomplishment
- Volunteer Positions & Opportunities: Get Growing with MetroParks - Adopt-A-Park, Gardening opportunities are back, Season Openers and Trainings now available!
- Get Connected Tech Tip: Volunteer Open Houses - Evening and weekend options now available!
- Staff Highlight: Franz Kircher, Lead Horticulture Technician
- Volunteer Appreciation: VIP Program - Have you earned a volunteer t-shirt, hat, or service pin?
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Volunteer Updates
What's NEW in volunteerism this month!
NEW! Adopt-A-Park:
Spring is almost here and so is Adopt-A-Park! Learn more about this year's event here or below under Special Events and claim your volunteer spot to get outside and give back for Earth Day!
NEW! Annual Volunteer Survey Results:
- We received 205 responses for our annual volunteer survey. Here's what we learned:
- 183 volunteered with us in 2023.
- 22 did NOT volunteer with us in 2023.
- Reasons for not volunteering were: not enough time, scheduling conflicts, work, health issues for self, health issues for family.
- 154/205 said that our email communication frequency was "Just right." 24 said "A bit too frequent."
- The most valued email notifications are the "Today's Volunteer Shift: It's Almost Time to Check In" and the Volunteer Opportunity Response confirmation emails.
- Thank you is still the highest valued form of appreciation (76.7% verbal and 31.8% written) Other valued forms of appreciation included Volunteer Apparel/Gear (57%), Training Opportunities (49.2%), Volunteer Programs or Appreciation Events (40%) and a Volunteer Discount Program (37.9%). The least valued were potlucks, picnics, and formal recognition dinners.
- Half of respondents had volunteered with us at a special event in 2023 with most volunteering at Adopt-A-Park and The Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience.
- The most common responses to the question "What is the most positive/ rewarding aspect of your experience in your volunteer position?" were:
"Helping out with a good organization, exposing people to information for being better world citizens", "Making a difference", "There is not a specific opportunity. The reward is knowing that I filled a spot that would have been left vacant had I not helped out. This was true of bat monitoring and the Subaru event", "Connecting with people who share the same passions as I do", "Learning something new", "I take pride in seeing what we accomplish together each week. I love giving back to our local landmark in our community. It's a joy working with likeminded people", "Being the eyes and ears", "Gardening", "Working with the horses", "Interacting with visitors, youth and families at programs", "Sharing knowledge", "Working alongside MetroParks staff", "I feel that I am contributing in a small way with the Five Rivers mission, conservation and nature!"
- The majority of respondents (162) felt that they made a difference volunteering for MetroParks in 2023.
- Respondents gave Five Rivers MetroParks 4.62 out of 5 stars for quality of volunteer experience.
NEW! Get Connected Site Updates:
We're collecting more information up front at account registration for new volunteers including many data fields needed for the Volunteer Profile and Emergency Contact qualifications. This means we may be able to reduce or eliminate these qualifications moving forward, but in the meantime, you'll now find your Emergency Contact information in your volunteer profile by clicking "Edit Profile" in your account menu.
Beginning in April, all volunteer hours submitted will need to be connected to a volunteer opportunity. When you check in to service, this automatically happens, but for those adding hours, they will need to select the opportunity they have responded to in order to apply the hours to that opportunity and submit. This is an easy drop down on the "Add Hours" and "Track Hours" pages. This will help us better track volunteer service across the agency.
We've created a VIP Item Request Form to make collecting your earned Volunteer Incentive Program items like tshirts, hats, and service pins even easier! We've added a link to our VIP Item Request Form in the main Get Connected navigation menu and in the image rotator. Learn more about this form and our VIP, Volunteer Incentive Program in this month's Volunteer Appreciation piece.
Volunteer Impact Report:
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Have you read this year's report yet? 2023 was truly an incredible year for volunteer engagement and we've done our best to capture it in the data, stories, and photos in this year's Volunteer Impact Report. Volunteer Services has created a report to help share the impact volunteers like YOU make in support of our parks, programs, and events every year.
View this year's report online here. Interact by hovering over the bottom of the screen where you can select emojis for your favorite content, adjust the magnification of the view by clicking the magnifying glass, and, at the top right of the screen, you can click "Share" to share this report with your family and friends on social media or through your email! As you view the online version of this report, you'll be able to view even more data by hovering over the various graphs and click links to more volunteer opportunity information.
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Miamisburg High School Vocational Block Program - Learning about Nature & Getting a Sense of Accomplishment
Meet the Vocational Block Program class of 2023-2024 at Miamisburg High School. This dedicated class volunteers in the gardens at Cox Arboretum MetroPark throughout the school year. These students may be volunteering in the gardens at Cox Arboretum MetroPark today, but they're also learning skills they can use in the future. Program Teacher, Katie Grant, noted, "Volunteering at Cox Arboretum gives students fresh air and a sense of accomplishment, along with opportunities to learn about nature in person and learn and practice skills in gardening and landscaping".
Thank you, Miamisburg High School volunteers, for your outstanding commitment, dedication, and service to Five Rivers MetroParks!
Interested in bringing your group to one of our MetroParks to volunteer? Click here to learn more about group volunteering with Five Rivers MetroParks!
Meet more amazing Metroparks' volunteers in our monthly Volunteer Spotlights here.
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Volunteer Positions & Upcoming Opportunities
Spring is almost here, and you know what that means! Everything's starting to GROW! Take a look to see how you too can GROW with Five Rivers MetroParks this season as a volunteer. View our upcoming volunteer opportunities and trainings available this month.
See something that interests you, but have questions? Contact a Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or call #937-275-7275. Looking for opportunities where we need the most help right now?
View our high-need, high-priority opportunities here.
Don't forget to FAN the Volunteer Positions you support. When you FAN a volunteer position you receive a weekly digest email for that position that includes new volunteer opportunities. It also lets your Volunteer Services team know that you are interested in that position and its opportunities.
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Animal Care volunteers support staff in caring for farm animals and wildlife animal ambassadors at a variety of our parks. These animals support MetroParks' mission by connecting the public to nature and education on local history, conservation, and small site sustainability.
Barn aide volunteer Elizabeth Katwyk cares for the many horses at the Carriage Hill Riding Center by mucking the stalls and supporting other barn chores.
Carriage Hill Riding Center Barn Aide:
Don't mind getting your hands a bit dirty? Consider joining our team of Carriage Hill Riding Center Volunteers! Barn Aide Volunteers assist with essential daily tasks of our equestrian facility such as cleaning stalls, turning horses out to pasture, and providing them with fresh food and water. All new Riding Center volunteers begin as Barn Aide, and then can complete additional training to assist with Pony Rides, Lessons, Camps, and Trail Rides.
Note: This opportunity is open to volunteers ages 14 or older. All volunteers at the Carriage Hill Riding Center begin as Barn Aides. Visit the Carriage Hill Riding Center Volunteer Training page to get started. Already qualified? Click the blue VOLUNTEER button below to sign up for a shift.
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Protecting open space and natural areas is a priority for Five Rivers MetroParks, which protects nearly 16,000 acres of land - 90 percent of it in its natural state. Conservation volunteers are a part of our regional conservation story by assisting in implementing a variety of natural area management plans.
Volunteer Gwen Owen is glad to be back to work in the greenhouse transplanting tree seedlings.
Propagation Volunteers:
NEW! Ready to play, learn, and connect with others while you support our reforestation efforts? Join our Propagation Operation team at Cox Arboretum MetroPark! In addition to trees and shrubs, the group will be growing herbaceous plants and propagating native plants to be used for restoration and conservation projects throughout the district. Learn more and sign up to support this opportunity by clicking the blue VOLUNTEER button below.
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Gardening volunteers support our horticulture and education staff in caring for a variety of gardens throughout our parks. These gardens not only provide beautiful spaces for Miami Valley residents to get outside, explore, and connect to nature, but many also provide fresh local produce to those in need in our community.
Volunteers from Kettering College support garden maintenance at the Possum Creek Demonstration Garden.
Gardening at MetroParks:
Spring is here! Tuesday, March 19 marks the first day of spring and if you've been eager to Get Out & Garden, our horticulture staff would love the extra help. Horticulture staff throughout Five Rivers MetroParks have been hard at work over the cold months preparing the gardens and landscapes that beautify our parks. Grab your garden gloves and sign up to support our gardening volunteer opportunites by clicking the blue VOLUNTEER button below. Opportunities are available at Aullwood Garden, Wegerzyn Gardens, and Cox Arboretum MetroPark.
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Five Rivers MetroParks provides clean, safe parks and conservation areas for the public to enjoy year-round. Our Park Maintenance volunteers help to manage and sustain 18 beautiful parks, 11 conservation areas, and 160 miles of hike, bike, mountain bike, and horseback-riding trails for park visitors to safely enjoy.
MetroParks Volunteer Patrol work to keep our parks, trails, and conservation areas safe, clean, and ready for visitors.
MetroParks Volunteer Patrol:
Have you heard about our INCREDIBLE MetroParks Volunteer Patrollers (MVPs), and always wanted to join the team? Are you passionate about serving your community and making a positive impact? MVPs play an important part in achieving MetroParks' mission to protect the region's natural heritage and provide outdoor experiences that inspire a personal connection with nature. On Saturday, March 23rd, we are holding the Annual MVP Training with the goal of providing important updates, distributing supplies, providing training on the patrol areas, and promoting togetherness. Join us! Sign up for this training by clicking the green RSVP button below.
Staff Lead and Trail Technician, Connor Perry, leads a team of volunteers in deberming part of a trail during a Trail Workday.
Trail Workdays:
Come learn, grow, and give back to the trails you love with this exciting trail maintenance volunteer opportunity! Led by our staff Trail Technician, these trail maintenance opportunities will focus on revitalizing the trail systems in the Twin Valley and MetroParks Mountain Biking Area. Learn alongside like-minded individuals about the why's and how's in building and maintaining a sustainable trail system on these hands-on workdays. View the opportunities available and sign up to support by clicking the blue VOLUNTEER button below.
Volunteers support general maintenance tasks, like mulching, early in the season at Hills and Dales MetroPark.
Hills & Dales Workdays:
Do you like getting your hands dirty, learning new skills, and supporting a variety of parks and conservation efforts? Our Hills & Dales volunteer workdays return April 3rd! Register now to reserve your spot! The Hills & Dales volunteer workday engages volunteers in a variety of parks and conservation projects, from gardening to tree plantings, and from invasive species removal to mulching. View the opportunities available and sign up to support by clicking the blue VOLUNTEER button below.
Volunteer Kevin Westbrook enjoys many of the opportunities we offer but is always happy supporting the 2nd Street Market with custodial tasks.
Market Custodial Support:
The 2nd Street Market is looking for WEEKEND custodial support to help us keep the place sparkling clean. Not only will you get to flex your cleaning muscles, but you'll get to meet and interact with some amazing people from your community. View the opportunities available and sign up to support by clicking the blue VOLUNTEER button below.
Essential attributes to a park sometimes need seasonal sprucing up, and new coats of paint can do just that with your help.
Restroom Painting: Englewood West Park
Are you ready to unleash your inner Picasso and make a difference in your community? We're looking for volunteers to help us give the East Park and West Park Restrooms a vibrant new look with a fresh coat of paint. Not only will you have a great time working with our awesome team, but you'll also be leaving a lasting impact on the park for visitors to enjoy. View the opportunities available and sign up to support by clicking the blue VOLUNTEER button below.
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Five Rivers MetroParks provides a wide variety of high-quality programs to help the public get outside and get connected to nature. Programming volunteers work alongside staff to provide support at programs year-round that help participants master new skills, learn about the natural world, and appreciate the value of open spaces.
New Astronomy volunteers Ron Kuckuck and Pat Craig set up the telescope at our Teacher's Night Out program.
Astronomy Assistants:
Are you interested in Astronomy? Do you enjoy working with youth and families? MetroParks is looking toward the skies in preparation for the big event this year, the eclipse, and hoping to expand astronomy program offerings beyond this event. Volunteers will have the opportunity to support our efforts either as an astronomy assistant or by providing general program support. Opportunities will be offered in our parks and assisting teachers in the classroom. To get started, submit your Astronomy Interest and Assessment form.
Want to know what astronomical events are in 2024? The Eclipse is on April 8, but also look for the full moons and supermoons, meteor showers and other interesting sky events.
Program Support volunteer Anthony Starr takes a moment to pose with staff lead Betty Hoevel before the crowds arrive at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark.
Program Support Volunteers:
Do you enjoy learning and enjoy helping others? Consider becoming a Program Support volunteer! These volunteers get to enjoy a variety of MetroParks programming while assisting with set up, tear down, registration and check in, supplies and equipment, and general program assistance. A variety of programs are available and in need of support including "try it" activities, textile classes and workdays, and youth and family programs. View the opportunities available and sign up to support by clicking the blue VOLUNTEER button below.
Garden Tour Guide Phyllis Strayer welcomes visitors before starting the tour at Cox Arboretum MetroPark.
Garden Tour Guides:
Share your love of our gardens with others as a Garden Tour Guide! Garden Tour Guides support our education team in providing these educational experiences to visitors May-September, mainly at Cox Arboretum MetroPark. Training is required. Learn more and start training today by visiting our Garden Tour Guide Training Page here.
Historic Interpreter volunteer Amy Korpieski shows a family how to do a simple task at the Daniel Arnold House at Carriage Hill MetroPark.
Historic Interpreters:
Do you like local history? Do you enjoy sharing information and helping others learn? Historic Interpreters bring history to life! Join us on the historic farm this season and help us share the story of the Arnold Family and demonstrate life on a 19th century farm. No experience is necessary. We'll train you! Learn more and get started by visiting our Historic Interpreter Training page here.
Volunteers help build capacity, safety and access to our programs, and are essential when offering hands on programs.
Fishing Program Support:
Know someone who likes to fish, maybe even likes to fly fish? We're looking for fishing volunteers and fly-fishing volunteers to support a variety of upcoming fishing programs! View the opportunities available and sign up to support by clicking the blue VOLUNTEER button below.
Fishing Fun for Everyone, our fishing programs season opener is coming up and is a great way to get started as a fishing program support volunteer! We'll introduce you to other volunteers, provide an overview of the program schedule for the 2024 season, and provide some opportunities to build your skills. Registration is required. Please RSVP by clicking the green RSVP button below.
School Program volunteer Jan Mazza demonstrates how one of the many educational resources can be used with field trips.
School Program Volunteers:
Are you excited by new discoveries? Enjoy working with youth? Consider joining our team of volunteers that support school programs! Five Rivers MetroParks offers a wealth of onsite educational programs for area school groups. School programs this season will mainly be focused at Cox Arboretum and Wegerzyn Gardens MetroParks. Multi-date in-person training is required. This training will focus on the Spring program offerings, resources and best practices for working with students in nature, getting familiar with best activity locations at each MetroPark and updates in program details. View the training details and RSVP to the in-person training by clicking the green RSVP button below.
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Five Rivers MetroParks takes pride in the variety of hands-on, skilled trades opportunities we offer, both in historical and modern-day settings. Our Skilled Trades volunteers help drive our mission forward by assisting with maintenance projects in fabrication, repair, and interpretation.
Historic Blacksmith volunteer Charlie Wiltrout works with volunteer Jim Lewis during a shadow experience opportunity at Carriage Hill MetroPark.
Historic Demonstrators:
Did you know the Historic Blacksmiths and Historic Woodworkers at Carriage Hill MetroPark are also Historic Interpreters? We are gearing up for the Spring, and looking for additional volunteers to support these skilled volunteer opportunities. Interested volunteers should start their training NOW so they will be available to support these unique opportunities. Historic Blacksmiths and Woodworkers must complete the Historic Interpreter training before beginning their historic skilled trade training. To view the Historic Interpreter training, click here. You can find the training pages in our Volunteer Training Library, and to review the details for Historic Blacksmith or Historic Woodworker.
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Event volunteers ensure that a positive, high-energy, outdoor enthusiasm tone starts at the welcome, and the event appears seamless and effortless for all who participate.
Adopt-A-Park:
Adopt-A-Park is back Saturday, April 20th! Five Rivers MetroParks celebrates Earth Day on Saturday, April 20th, during Adopt-A-Park, an annual public volunteer service day that invites community members of all ages, accessibility levels, and backgrounds to come together to help protect the region's natural heritage and MAKE A DIFFERENCE. View all the opportunities available and sign up to support your MetroParks by clicking the blue VOLUNTEER button below.
Adopt-A-Park is generously sponsored by the Montgomery County Environmental Services, Keep Montgomery County Beautiful, and QEI Engineers.
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Get Connected Tech Tip: Volunteer Open Houses
Discover, learn, and grow as a Five Rivers MetroParks Volunteer! We are so excited about the nice weather, the many volunteers wanting to get outside and involved with MetroParks, and our chance to share the many ways people can get engaged and find the right opportunities for them. We have taken your feedback and included evenings and weekends in our 2024 Volunteer Open House schedule.
Volunteer Open Houses are drop-in opportunities to meet members of your Volunteer Services Team, ask questions about how you can make a difference in YOUR MetroParks, and get more familiar with Get Connected. From outreach to gardening, teaching to trail maintenance, and a variety of fun events throughout the year, there are many ways to volunteer with us. View our upcoming Volunteer Open Houses and RSVP by clicking the green RSVP button below.
Need an alternative date and time? Contact volunteer.services@metroparks.org to schedule one-on-one with a volunteer coordinator.
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Staff Lead Highlight:
Franz Kirchner, Lead Horticulture Technician
Staff Highlights are a great way for volunteers to get to know our staff and for staff to share their work with volunteers.
Franz Kirchner has been employed at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark for nearly five years. He started in a Seasonal position, then moved on to a Part-time position, followed by a Full-time role, and is now the Lead Horticulture Technician. Talk about growth! In his current position, Franz enjoys connecting visitors and volunteers with nature. He believes that gardens and nature are excellent places to unwind and recharge, and he is enthusiastic about creating and providing these spaces for others to enjoy.
Franz has volunteered at multiple organizations within the community such as Five Rivers MetroParks, the City of Kettering, Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, OSU Extension Master Gardeners, Drake's Downtown Gym, and DRAFT Brewfest competitions. These diverse volunteering experiences have provided him with a unique perspective and insight, making him an excellent lead staff for volunteers. Franz acknowledges the significance of creating a positive volunteering environment by expressing gratitude and explaining the impact of the opportunity. He said, "Whether it's the first, one-time, or long-time volunteers, I want them to know that we appreciate their efforts and hope they enjoyed their time with us."
Join Franz and other Wegerzyn Gardens staff at one of the upcoming Wegerzyn Gardening Angels shifts! View Wegerzyn Gardening Angels volunteer opportunities here. Or join us for our next Volunteer Open House, where you can meet one-on-one, in person, with a Volunteer Coordinator and learn how you can support this opportunity! Click here to RSVP to an upcoming Open House.
Thank you, Franz, for being a true supporter of volunteers and volunteerism at MetroParks!
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Volunteer Appreciation: VIP Items
Five Rivers MetroParks has developed a volunteer incentive program to recognize, appreciate, and encourage ongoing volunteerism that advances our mission to protect the region's natural heritage and provide outdoor experiences that inspire a personal connection with nature. Active volunteers serving 25 hours or more can qualify for VIP items each year. Volunteers are encouraged to wear the volunteer apparel items with pride each time they volunteer with us.
VIP Items available for 2023 and 2024 volunteer service include:
- Milestone Service Pins for 25 hours and up
- 25 Hours-Volunteer T-Shirt (Short-Sleeved)
- 50 Hours-Volunteer Hat (Summer or Winter)
- 75 Hours-Volunteer Shirt (Long-Sleeved)
Note: Volunteers with 50 hours may elect a short-sleeved t-shirt and a hat. Volunteers with 75 hours may elect a long-sleeved shirt and a hat. Limit 1 shirt and hat per year.
If you have reached a volunteer hour milestone, let us know which VIP items you would like to receive as a thank you for your service in the VIP Request Form. You can find this request form in the Get Connected main menu on your left when you login. A Volunteer Coordinator will review your request and follow up with you to arrange the distribution of the appropriate items. Please allow up to 4 weeks to receive your VIP items.
Not sure if you qualify? Or not sure which VIP items you qualify for? Contact volunteer.services@metroparks.org or give us a call at #937-275-7275 (PARK) and ask to speak to a Volunteer Coordinator. A Volunteer Coordinator will review your Get Connected volunteer account and follow up to confirm the specific volunteer incentive items you qualify for.
Thank you for volunteering with Five Rivers MetroParks!
Special thanks to all the volunteers who helped with this year's Adventure Summit!
We appreciate YOU!
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Volunteer Services is available if you have questions or need assistance in signing up.
Your Volunteer Services Team
Yvonne Dunphe - Outdoor Connections Programming #(937) 277-4147
Allie Zimmerman - Parks & Conservation #(937) 274-3176
Janelle Leonard - Administration & Animal Care #(937) 277-5445
Amanda Wheatley - Ambassador & Special Events #(937) 277-4109
Jenny Hymans - Human Resources Manager of Volunteer Services #(937) 567-1413
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