The beauty of the Virginia Bluebells ushers in Spring at Aullwood Gardens MetroPark, celebrating its 100th anniversary this year! Spring is the perfect time to explore MetroParks to see all the flowers starting to bloom.
In this edition of the Volunteer Newsletter:
- April is for Volunteer Appreciation
- Adopt A Park: Projects and Service Kits Still Available!
- Conservation Tip: Remove and Replace Invasive Species
- Volunteer Spotlight: Neil MacKay-Getting Outside and Giving Back
- Upcoming Opportunities: Carriage Hill Riding Center, Carriage Hill Historic Farm, Garden Tour Guides, Fishing, and more!
- Get Connected Tech Tip: Join us at an In-Person Volunteer Open House!
- Staff Lead Highlight: Amy Kennedy-Volunteers are the Heart of What I Do
- Nature is Open: Forest Therapy
April is for Volunteer Appreciation
In April, the whole world celebrates volunteers! National Volunteer Week is an opportunity to recognize the impact of volunteer service and the power of volunteers to tackle society's greatest challenges, build stronger communities, and be a force that transforms the world. It takes place every April during Global Volunteer Month, a time to shine a light on the people and causes that inspire us to serve, recognizing and thanking volunteers who lend their time, talent, and voice to make a difference in their communities. Five Rivers MetroParks simply would not exist without the dedicated support of our many volunteers. During Global Volunteer Month, National Volunteer Week, and every day of the year we are so thankful you choose to volunteer with us.
We've created an annual report called the Volunteer Impact Report to help recognize, honor, and share the difference volunteers make in our MetroParks each year. You can read this year's report here: Volunteer Impact Report
VIP Items: If you have volunteered 25 or more hours with us, we'd like to give you a volunteer t-shirt and a service pin as a thank-you for your service. For those with 50 volunteer hours or more, we'd like to give you a volunteer t-shirt, a service pin, and a hat. Please contact volunteer.services@metroparks.org to see if you qualify and arrange to pick up your volunteer appreciation and incentive items. Coming later this year, for those with 75 volunteer hours or more, we will be offering a long-sleeved volunteer shirt option.
Finally, to celebrate all that you do for Five Rivers MetroParks, we've created a short video below of volunteers making a difference in our parks, at programs, and events.
We thank you for all you do and celebrate you this month and every month at Five Rivers MetroParks!
ADOPT-A-PARK: Projects and Service Kits Still Available!
Adopt-A-Park, MetroParks Earth Day service event, returns Saturday, April 22nd from 9 am-Noon and we have several projects that could use your help including invasive species removal at Germantown, trail maintenance at MoMBA and Eastwood MetroPark, historic farm fencing maintenance at Carriage Hill MetroPark, and split rail fence removal at Wesleyan MetroPark. Additionally, Adopt-A-Park Litter Pick-Up Service Kits are available for independent litter pick-up, and are a great option for families and youth groups looking to make a difference! There's something for everyone at this year's Adopt-A-Park! Registration is required.
View this year's in-person volunteer opportunities and sign up to volunteer today by clicking the blue volunteer button below:
Interested in reserving an Adopt-A-Park Litter Pick-Up Service Kit? Click the green RSVP button to reserve your kit and schedule your kit pick-up at one of our drive-thru service kit distribution dates:
This service event is generously supported by these sponsors: CareSource Foundation, Montgomery County Environmental Services, Keep Montgomery County Beautiful, and QEI Engineers--Thank you!
Conservation Tip
"Invasive species reduce biodiversity, degrade habitat, and limit the ability of native ecosystems to store carbon, making their removal and replacement an important and impactful conservation action for any who manages the land, from backyard to commercial property," says Tim Pritchard, Five Rivers MetroParks Sustainability Manager. Tim is encouraging us all to replace a popular invasive plant this spring with some wonderful alternatives. Learn more about which plants he selected to replace Bush Honeysuckle, Lonicera sp., and see if you are already growing some here.
Neil Mackay - Getting Outside and Giving Back
Neil Mackay just began volunteering with MetroParks last fall and already has become a dedicated volunteer in our multiple areas. You can find him at Riverscape on workdays, but he also shares his time at 2nd Street Market, with Conservation in their propagation opportunities, and any interesting workday that fits his schedule. Neil has enjoyed the parks, and you can see him hiking in the parks when he is not volunteering. He has said as a volunteer you get to meet new people, do things you like, find opportunities at a diversity of locations, and loves that there is always something different to do and learn. We kid him about how much "retired" time he spends with us, and he kids back "That is because when the opportunity on the Zamboni becomes available, I want to be first in line".
Amy Kennedy, Lead Horticulture Technician at Riverscape, shared this about Neil:
"He is a wonderful volunteer and we are very lucky to have him! Neil is very dedicated, very dependable, and never hesitates to help in every aspect of the park, whether picking up trash, building beaver cages, or planting bulbs. He goes above and beyond to help out no matter what the task at hand is even if it is not his favorite. He also attends different conferences throughout the city to learn about new plant materials and new ideas in the plant world. I joke with him all the time that he needs to apply for one of our part-time positions and get paid for the things he does for us, but he kindly declines and says he enjoys the title after his name ' 'Retired'. We truly appreciate how much of a Horticulture Rockstar Neil is!"
Neil believes in giving back and making a difference, and we are grateful he is sharing his time and experience with us.
Thank you, Neil, for your outstanding commitment, dedication, and service to Five Rivers MetroParks!
Volunteer Positions & Upcoming Opportunities
Spring has arrived and new volunteer opportunities are being added regularly! Review your weekly digest email to see all the new volunteer opportunities springing up across your Five Rivers MetroParks this season!
Not getting a weekly digest email from Get Connected? Make sure you "FAN" the volunteer positions you most want to support and update your skills and interests to get the most accurate recommendations.
See something that interests you, but have questions? Contact a Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or call #937-275-7275 and ask to speak with a volunteer coordinator.
View our high-need, high-priority opportunities here.
Ambassador
Ambassadors are often the first friendly face a visitor sees welcoming them to the park and can be counted on to share helpful information and answer a variety of questions. Are you a people person? Here is a great opportunity to share your enthusiasm for Five Rivers MetroParks, 2nd Street Market, and shopping local!
Visitor Center Ambassadors: Volunteers will enhance the visitor experience by greeting, welcoming, and interacting with a variety of diverse audiences, and recommending all the best things to see and do while visiting our parks. This volunteer opportunity will be offered at Cox Arboretum Visitor Center on weekdays and on weekends and at the Carriage Hill Visitor Centers on the weekends only, spring through fall. Sign up for an In-Person Visitor Center Ambassador Training 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.
Carriage Hill Riding Center Barn Aide Volunteer Elaine Sorah.
"Turned out the horses and cleaned stalls. Staff are great to work with."-Barn Aide Volunteer
Wildlife Ambassador Animal Care: Wildlife Ambassador Animal Care Volunteers assist with the daily care of the animals at our Twin Valley Welcome Center including cleaning animal enclosures, socializing, and providing the animals with fresh food and water. All new Wildlife Ambassador volunteers begin with animal care. Additional opportunities for Wildlife Ambassadors include Wildlife Ambassador Program Support and Outreach. These essential volunteers allow us to continue to care for and support these wildlife ambassadors that serve to educate the public on the importance of our conservation mission. Interested in joining the effort? Learn more about what it means to provide animal care for these Wildlife Ambassadors and begin volunteer training by clicking this link.
Carriage Hill Riding Center: Spring Onboarding for new Carriage Hill Riding Center Volunteers is here! Do you love being around horses? 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. This training will not be offered again until November. This opportunity is open to volunteers aged 14 or older. Click here to sign up for a Barn Aide training this spring:
Conservation
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.
Staff Lead and Conservation Technician, Kevin Reichling, leads volunteers Doug Batty and Steve Schwenker in propagating seedlings in the growing area at Cox Arboretum MetroPark.
"It was a positive experience, we had four volunteers working on tree transplants, so it wasn't crowded. It was nice that Allie stopped by and said hello to everyone, she is awesome."-Propagation Operation Volunteer
Propagation Operation: 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. Sign up here:
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.
Staff Lead & Lead Horticulture Technician, Austin Lathrop with Horticulture Technician Layla Hatfield, and volunteer Jenny Andary dressed for early spring gardening at Cox Arboretum MetroPark.
"Really enjoy working with Ms. Beth! She explains plant names and blooming seasons!"-Aullwood Gardening Volunteer
Spring is the time for gardening, so join us at one of our horticulture parks to get your hands in the dirt! 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 check out Get Connected to learn more about what it means to be a gardening volunteer and the opportunities we have available. Please remember: these volunteer shifts are WEATHER DEPENDENT. If you have responded to a shift, keep an eye out in your email inbox for a message from your staff lead regarding potential cancellations. View available gardening opportunities and sign up here:
Group Workdays: Want to bring a group out to help support our beautiful gardens? Group volunteers are critical in helping us maintain our many beautiful gardens. Learn about scheduling a group volunteer workday at one of our garden parks and submit a request here.
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 general maintenance tasks, like mulching, early in the season at Hills and Dales MetroPark.
Hills and Dales Workdays: Do you like getting your hands dirty, learning new skills, and supporting a variety of parks and conservation efforts? Register to volunteer at the Hills & Dales volunteer workday! 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 here and sign up to support here:
Staff Lead and Trail Specialist, Michael Cooper, leads a team of volunteers in deberming part of a trail during a Trail Work Day.
"Great exercise, met some good people."-Trail Maintenance Volunteer
Trail Maintenance: 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. Learn alongside like-minded individuals about the why's and how's of building and maintaining a sustainable trail system on these hands-on workdays. View the opportunities available here and sign up to support here:
Group Workdays: Want to bring a group out to help support our parks and trails? Group volunteers are critical in helping us with a variety of park maintenance projects all year long that keep our parks beautiful, clean, and safe. Learn about scheduling a group volunteer workday and submit a request here.
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.
MYO Volunteers help assemble Garden-to-Go Kits at Possum Creek MetroPark--Thank you!
"Very well prepared, clear information, friendly and reachable."-Garden-to-Go Kit Volunteer
Program Support: Garden-to-Go Kits. Garden-to-Go kits are take-home kits that allow families to experience nature on their own time while learning new things, developing new skills, and improving access to nutritious fresh produce. The kits assembled with the help of our volunteers will be distributed to families and individuals in our region with a focus on those who live in designated food deserts or struggle with food insecurity. Our hope is that these kits increase food access, food choice, and provide tools for empowerment. This is a great opportunity for teams and small groups! Click here to sign up for a shift and help make a difference in your community:
Staff Lead and Historic Interpreter, Hannah Weist, gets the pantry in order for the day in the historic house at Carriage Hill MetroPark.
Historic Interpreters: Do you like local history? Do you enjoy sharing information or depicting various activities for people to learn? Carriage Hill MetroPark's Historic Farm may be the perfect fit for you! The interpretative purpose of the farm is to use the Arnold Family, who once lived at Carriage Hill Farm, as a guide to how a real conservative farm family in real-time at a real place lived. The individuals who volunteer their time and talents help put excitement and perspective into the activities at the Carriage Hill Historic Farm. The farm is open for the season, and volunteers are needed to bring it to life. Join us! Learn more about becoming a Historic Interpreter volunteer and start training by clicking this link.
Phyllis Strayer, volunteer tour guide and tram driver, gives a brief introduction to Cox Arboretum before starting the tour.
Garden Tour Guides: Share your gardening passion and become a Garden Tour Guide! Do you have an enthusiasm for plants that you'd like to share with others? If so, you would make a great Garden Tour Guide volunteer! Connect and educate visitors about 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. Join us on April 26 and 27 for our annual Garden Tour Guide & Tram training at Cox Arboretum MetroPark. Check out the Training and Events page on Get Connected to learn more and to RSVP (required):
Staff Lead and Education Specialist Mary-Beth Hobson at a recent Paint-a-Park program.
Program Support: Paint A Park Classes- Enjoy the outdoors and help others discover the beauty all around. Program participants will capture the moments through art. Program support volunteers will assist participants in getting set up, ensuring each participant gets the individualized attention needed, and assisting the staff lead in creating a relaxing opportunity for art discovery. Each month the class will be at a different MetroPark site, and the full listing can be found here.
Pictured Right: Volunteer Bailey Butler, assists a young program participant in learning about gardening and nature in the Children's Discovery Garden at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark.
Gardening Education Program Support Volunteers: Wegerzyn and the 2nd Street Market are gearing up for the season! From school field trips to family-friendly programs, volunteers are needed to support our Horticulture Education staff in connecting others to nature through gardening! We currently have opportunities in Garden Education & Exploration programming at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark as well as at the 2nd Street Market as well as opportunities for volunteers to support school field trips at Wegerzyn Gardens. Volunteers help with participant check-in, passing out supplies, and engaging participants in a variety of activities during the programs and field trips. Learn more and sign up to support these exciting opportunities here:
Volunteer Greg Ogdan helps a young participant enjoy her first fishing experience.
"Very enjoyable, Kelly is awesome."-Fishing Program Support Volunteer
Program Support: Fishing Programs have returned and are gearing up for a fun season! Volunteers help build access, comfort, convenience, and safety into our programs for all interested in learning and, in our skill-building programs, enable more individualized support for first-time learners. Although you don't need to be an expert to provide fishing program support, there are helpful videos you can review in the online volunteer training library to grow in comfort and confidence. View them here: Fishing Training Videos.
Ready to get involved? 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 currently scheduled and sign up to support 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 Steve McNew works behind the scenes at the textile workdays at Carriage Hill MetroPark getting items ready for the season.
"I helped Deb prepare for the upcoming sewing classes. It's nice to feel useful while doing something I love."-Textile Volunteer
Did you know skills like sewing, crocheting, knitting, and weaving are highly valued and in need? We are excited to start offering more opportunities for volunteers to share these valuable skills in support of MetroParks. Currently, we are looking for volunteers with sewing skills to support opportunities at Carriage Hill MetroPark and Possum Creek MetroPark. Some of these opportunities are behind the scenes, some are in program support, and some are at Carriage Hill Historic Farm as part of the Historic Interpreter opportunities. Check out these opportunities on Get Connected by clicking here.
Program Support: Do you enjoy helping people learn new skills? Volunteers supporting our Basic Sewing Machine and Quilting programs make learning new skills fun and easy for participants! Volunteers with basic textile skills are needed to support upcoming programs. Learn more and sign up to support here:
Treadle Sewing Machine Training: Volunteer training on the Treadle Sewing Machines is now being offered monthly at Carriage Hill MetroPark for those volunteers interested in supporting the textile programs and building their skill sets on the sewing machine. View the schedule and RSVP here:
Volunteer Scot Hinson, Historic Woodworker Demonstrator, works on a simple project to demonstrate the 1800s tools and techniques.
Historic Blacksmiths and Historic Woodworkers: Are you interested in helping us interpret life on the Daniel Arnold Historic Farm? Interested in learning to demonstrate historic blacksmithing or woodworking? We are looking for volunteers to train as Historic Blacksmiths and Historic Woodworkers this season. Learn more and get started here:
1) Historic Interpreter Training
2) Historic Blacksmith or Historic Woodworker Training
If you have questions about volunteering on the historic farm at Carriage Hill MetroPark, contact Yvonne Dunphe at yvonne.dunphe@metroparks.org or call (937) 277-4147.
Special Events
Volunteers from a variety of volunteer positions support our special events including Park Maintenance, Conservation, Programming, and Ambassadors. In addition to these long-term volunteers, single-day or public volunteers are also recruited to ensure we have enough eyes, ears, and helping hands to make each event safe and friendly for our many visitors.
Bike to Work Day: Celebrate with us at Bike to Work Day and our traditional pancake breakfast! Culinary interest, people skills, love cycling, or just want to be around enthusiastic people early in the morning to have some fun? There is an opportunity for you at Bike to Work Day! It will be at RiverScape MetroPark on Friday, May 19th from 7 am - 9 am with all the activities you love including the free pancake breakfast. Volunteers will be needed for set up and tear down, as well as provide breakfast support. Details for Bike To Work Day, and available opportunities, can be found here:
Passport to MetroParks: Kick off the event season at this year's Passport to MetroParks, on Friday, May 26 at RiverScape MetroPark! This event aims to build awareness of Five Rivers MetroParks, highlighting our parks and the various events and programs we offer throughout the summer. What a great opportunity to meet new people, assist with event staging and organizing, and being an advocate for our mission. Special Event volunteers serve a critical role in ensuring events and large-scale programs run smoothly and are needed in a variety of positions including set-up, tear-down, vendor check-in, and in ambassador roles. View available volunteer opportunities and sign up to volunteer here:
Volunteer Opportunities Available to Support Our Partners!*
Miami Valley TREEcovery Campaign: In partnership with RETREET and Keep America Beautiful, the Miami Valley TREEcovery Campaign is a multi-year effort to heal the landscape devastated by the Memorial Day 2019 tornadoes. The third large-scale tree planting effort occurring as part of the Miami Valley TREEcovery Campaign will take place on Saturday, April 29, 2023. Volunteers are needed to plant more than 200 trees for tornado-impacted residents in Beavercreek, Dayton, and Harrison Township. The event will begin at 12:00 p.m. with check-in at the Russ Nature Reserve (2380 Kemp Road, Beavercreek, OH 45431). Volunteers will be taught proper tree planting techniques, then arranged into small groups that will be sent to home sites. A free dinner will follow the planting. If you or someone you know would like to volunteer, please visit to register at http://retreet.org/volunteer, or for more information contact jirby@kab.org.
Wegerzyn Gardens Foundation: Foundation volunteers are needed 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 or to become a Wegerzyn Gardens Foundation volunteer, please email contact@wegerzyngardensfoundation.org.
*These hours support our partners and other community organizations and are not logged in Get Connected.
Get Connected - Tech Tip
Looking for an in-person way to get better connected?
Returning in May--Join us at an upcoming Volunteer Open House! Formerly called Help Sessions, these Volunteer Open Houses are opportunities for you you to meet members of your Volunteer Services Team in person and ask questions about the many ways you can make a difference in YOUR MetroParks. From outreach to gardening, teaching to trail maintenance, as well as a variety of fun events throughout the year, there are many ways to Get Out & Volunteer. Need help with your Get Connected account? Get one-on-one assistance so you can find the right opportunity for you and get started volunteering!
We recommend bringing your laptop or tablet (and power cord). If you don't have a laptop/tablet, no problem, we'll have some on hand you can use. Bring your questions and learn how YOU can make a difference in your MetroParks!
Need help with your RSVP? Call #937-275-7275 or email us at volunteer.services@metroparks.org for assistance.
Volunteer Training Library: Volunteers may have specific interests or skills in areas such as wildlife, horses, history, etc. and the opportunities in some of these areas may require additional training. Many times the initial steps are online and can be done at your convenience. You can find these through the online training library on Get Connected organized by volunteer position. Follow this link to see what is available.
Staff Lead Highlight: Amy Kennedy
We are kicking off our staff highlight with Amy Kennedy, Lead Horticulture Technician at Riverscape MetroPark. Amy came to MetroParks 9 years ago as a temporary employee, has quickly moved into a permanent position at Riverscape, and has shown her value to MetroParks and the volunteers who support her. She truly enjoys working downtown in the urban zone, and says "there is always something new to see and learn about in the landscape, and you get to meet interesting people." Her passion and enthusiasm is evident when you talk with her, and you believe it when she says it is fun to be at Riverscape. Amy believes in building relationships and making connections with her volunteers by working with them and continuing to teach garden and horticulture techniques during her workdays. When asking her volunteers what is special about volunteering with Amy, they say she communicates with them regularly, shows them new things, and makes it fun!
Thank you, Amy, for being a true asset to our volunteer services team, and such a great supporter of volunteerism at MetroParks! Join Amy and her team at one of the next RiverScape & Urban Parks Gardening opportunities. Sign up here!
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Five Rivers MetroParks has a blog, Nature is Open, which provides articles of interest and can lead to new discoveries. Do you know about Forest Therapy? Forest Therapy improves mental and physical health, and what better place to practice than at your nearest MetroPark. You can join group walks or practice forest therapy on your own time. Learn more in this article and get outside.
Thank you for volunteering!
Volunteer Services
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.
We are here to support YOU!
Candy Holloway - Horticulture & Sustainability #(937) 275-5006
Yvonne Dunphe - Outdoor Connections Programming #(937) 277-4147
Allie Zimmerman - Parks & Conservation #(937) 274-3176
Janelle Leonard - Business Operations & Visitor Services #(937) 277-5445
Jenny Hymans - Human Resources Manager of Volunteer Services #(937) 567-1413
