Volunteer Positions & Upcoming Opportunities 

Spring is here! Join us outside in the parks for one of our most beautiful seasons! 

Check out these volunteer opportunities and upcoming trainings to help you get back outside and make a difference while enjoying the beauty of the Spring season. 

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. 

Animal Care 

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. 

 Volunteer Casey Bower supports our horses as a Barn Aide at the Carriage Hill Riding Center. These horses require care 365 days a year and thanks to our dedicated Barn Aides we are able to provide excellent care to our equine friends! 

"Staff members are great ambassadors for the stables! Answers my questions in depth! Advance my experience by giving me new duties to perform! I am learning a lot about horses!" - Barn Aide Volunteer 

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 Aides, 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. 

Gardening 

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.     

Gardening volunteers learn effective pruning techniques from Staff Lead and Horticulturalist Beth Langford at Aullwood Garden MetroPark.  

"Volunteers were given good instructions on how to prune the targeted boxwoods."- Aullwood Gardening Volunteer

Gardening at MetroParks:  

Spring has finally arrived and it's the perfect time to Get Out & Garden! Our horticulture staff is eagerly waiting to welcome you and would appreciate some additional help. Don't worry if you lack experience in gardening, as we'll be happy to teach you everything you need to know. Grab your garden gloves and sign up to support our gardening volunteer opportunities by clicking the blue VOLUNTEER button below, available at Aullwood Garden, Cox Arboretum, NEW! Possum Creek, NEW! Riverscape and Wegerzyn Gardens MetroParks.   

Park Maintenance 

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.  

Volunteers support Hills & Dales MetroPark at our annual service events and at regular workdays scheduled throughout the year.  

"Great group of volunteers, all friendly and hard-working. Staff was, as usual, excellent - working along with us, providing guidance and assistance as needed while open to suggestions for efficiently getting the job done!" -Hills & Dales Workday Volunteer

Hills & Dales Workdays:  

Are you someone who loves spending time outdoors, learning new skills, and making a positive impact on the community? You can now register to reserve your spot at the Hills & Dales volunteer workdays. This is your chance to get your hands dirty and engage in a variety of parks and conservation projects such as gardening, tree planting, invasive species removal, and mulching. By supporting this opportunity, you'll help preserve the beauty of this community park for future visitors to enjoy. Come and join us, and let's work together to make a difference! View the opportunities available and sign up for support by clicking the blue VOLUNTEER button below. 

Programming 

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.  

¡Hola voluntarios! Se necesitan hablantes de español con fluidez en Adventure Central.

¿Puede usted ayudar? 

If you read the above and are correcting our grammar, then the Adventure Central Program Assistant opportunity is for you!

NEW! Adventure Central Program Assistant (Spanish Fluent):

The after-school program at Adventure Central promotes positive youth development, education, and leadership skills using an environmental foundation in a welcoming, safe, fun, active setting. We have a special opportunity for fluent Spanish-speaking volunteers to interact with and translate for youth program participants who are learning English as a second language. Volunteers typically spend their time helping in the homework room, assisting in the kitchen during mealtimes, or outdoors monitoring play time.  Learn more and sign up by clicking the blue VOLUNTEER button below. 

Volunteers support a variety of school programs and scheduled field trips throughout our MetroParks.  

"It was nice to be included in planning what we're going to be carrying out. It was helpful hearing both past experiences and future ideas." - Field Trip Program Support Volunteer

Field Trip Program Support:

Five Rivers MetroParks offers a wealth of onsite educational programs for area school groups.  Fieldtrips are being scheduled and start in April.  Volunteers should enjoy working with youth, be comfortable in nature, and be excited by new discoveries! Those who missed the March training but are interested in supporting our school fieldtrips at Cox Arboretum or Wegerzyn Garden should contact yvonne.dunphe@metroparks.org to schedule shadow experiences for some of the upcoming fieldtrips. View the opportunities available and sign up for support by clicking the blue VOLUNTEER button below. 

Volunteer Phil Bush is getting ready to welcome participants to a fishing program. 

"Great communication about what is needed from me. Provided equipment and instructions for a safe experience. Great teaching style and opportunity to learn on our own, as well." -Fishing Program Support Volunteer

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!  Volunteers help build access, comfort, convenience, and safety into our programs for all interested in learning.  

Although you don't need to be an expert to provide fishing program support, there are helpful videos available for you in the training library. Ready to get involved? View the opportunities available and sign up to support by clicking the blue VOLUNTEER button below. 

Volunteers are needed to provide tours at Cox Arboretum and Wegerzyn Gardens MetroParks this season! 

"It was a very enjoyable experience! Betty ROCKS!" - Garden Tour Guide Volunteer

Garden Tour Guides: 

Do you have an enthusiasm for plants and MetroParks that you'd like to share with others? If so, you would make a great Garden Guide volunteer!  Connect and educate visitors to a diverse landscape of plants through a tour of our gardens. May through September, Garden Tour Guides support our education team in providing this unique experience to visitors mainly at Cox Arboretum.   Learn more and begin training online here.  

Skilled Trades 

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. 

"Volunteer Sue Steinke shows CJ Volunteer Zarriah Blumenstock how easy it is to learn to weave on a loom."

"Deb is so skillful and a wonderful teacher. It was a pleasure to work alongside her and two other volunteers. I plan to do this again. Enjoyed the new sewing machine." - Textile Volunteer

Textile and Fiber Arts:

Textile workdays are never boring! Volunteers have an opportunity to share their time and talents, and learn some new skills, while creating items to be used by MetroParks volunteers and staff. We are currently looking for volunteers with skills in sewing, crocheting, knitting, spinning and weaving. Join us at Carriage Hill MetroPark for a behind the scenes weekday or weekend opportunity! View the opportunities available and sign up for support by clicking the blue VOLUNTEER button below. 

Limited skills but big interest? Look for program support opportunities with our textile team here.   

Special Events 

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:

MetroParks Earth Day service event returns Saturday, April 20th from 9 am-Noon. We still have several projects with plenty of spots available needing support from our volunteers! Projects still available include:

-Invasive Species Removal especially at Adventure Central, Taylorsville, and Possum Creek MetroParks

-Trail Maintenance at MoMBA

-Black Crowned Night Heron Habitat Maintenance at Island MetroPark

View the opportunities available and sign up for support by clicking the blue VOLUNTEER button below. 

Additionally, Adopt-A-Park Litter Pick-Up Service Kits are available for independent litter pick-up, and are a great option for youth and families, and groups looking to make a difference together in a MetroPark or out in your neighborhood and community greenspaces!  Click here to reserve your kit and schedule your kit pick-up at one of our drive-thru service kit distribution dates.  

 Volunteers Amanda Arlington and Kevin Westbrook enjoy volunteering and it shows.  Perfect hospitality at Bike to Work.

"This is the second time I have volunteered for the event and I enjoy it!" - Bike to Work Day Volunteer 

Bike to Work Day:

Bike to Work Day Celebration & Pancake Breakfast returns on May 17th at Riverscape MetroPark! Whether you're a seasoned cycling commuter or a first-time bike rider, unite with us to share the culture and the fun of biking to work as a Bike to Work Day volunteer! Join MetroParks staff in offering a pancake breakfast for the community in celebration of Bike to Work Day. Volunteers are needed for setup, registration, bike parking, and more. View the opportunities available and sign up for support by clicking the blue VOLUNTEER button below. 

 Staff lead Suzy Kroeger and volunteer Ginny Wood assist families in completing a fun activity to get their "passport" stamped. 

"Had a great time checking in the vendors for the festival. All of the vendors were very grateful for our help and the staff were so helpful. Really enjoyed the volunteer experience." - Passport to MetroParks Volunteer

Passport to MetroParks:  

Passport to MetroParks coming up on Friday, May 24th at Riverscape MetroPark! Passport to MetroParks aims to build community awareness of what our MetroParks offer and will highlight various MetroParks' events, programs, and parks. Throughout the event, guests can visit more than 16 vendor booths hosting games and activities. Visitors will be able to learn more about the upcoming festivals and various recreation, education, conservation, and volunteer programs Five Rivers MetroParks offers.  Participants will earn a stamp in their event passport for each activity they complete. Those who earn one stamp in each of the five categories will be entered to win prizes, with additional prize entries for earning more stamps. View the opportunities available and sign up for support by clicking the blue VOLUNTEER button below. 

  Marilyn Allen, Wegerzyn Gift and Garden Shop volunteer, enjoys time at 2nd Street Market supporting Wegerzyn Gardens Foundation.  

Support Our Partners 

Wegerzyn Gardens Foundation:

Wegerzyn Gardens Foundation is looking for cashiers for its annual MayFair plant sale, now held at the Second Street Market. MayFair at the Market will run Friday, May 3- Sunday, May 5 during regular market hours, plus an additional "members-only" sale Friday morning.  

Foundation volunteers are also needed year-round to support the Gift and Garden Shop, located at the 2nd Street Market.  Proceeds from the gift shop support special projects and programs at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark.

For more information about these two opportunities, or for information on becoming a Wegerzyn Gardens Foundation volunteer, please email contact@wegerzyngardensfoundation.org.

Note: Volunteer service for the Wegerzyn Gardens Foundation is separate from volunteer service at Five Rivers MetroParks. 

 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 (PARK). 

Join us at an upcoming Volunteer Open House! 

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