|
Conservation is at the core of what we do at MetroParks. Restoring habitats, teaching visitors how they can help, and providing wonderful green spaces for people to enjoy the beauty of nature.
In this edition of the Volunteer Newsletter:
-Feature: Beat the Heat and Volunteer Safely this Summer
-Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Ginny Wood - Exploring MetroParks through Volunteerism
-Volunteer Positions & Opportunities: 2nd Street Market opportunities, Invasive Species Removal, Trail Work, Gardening, Park Maintenance at Sugarcreek MetroPark, Small Farm & Food Fest, and more!
-Get Connected Tech Tip: Manage your Site Communications
-Staff Highlight: Megan Rude, Lead Conservation Technician
-Volunteer Appreciation: FREE Ice Cream for Volunteers through August and discounted Kings Island Tickets still available! Details inside!
|
|
Beat the Heat and Volunteer Safely this Summer
The Dog Days of Summer are here! We are so grateful to our volunteers who continue to support our parks during the high heat of summer, and we want to ensure you stay safe during service. Here are some good reminders for the season:
-Keep hydrated. Bring a full water bottle with you to service and ask your staff lead where you can refill during your shift.
-Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing to volunteer service.
-Wear sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses when working outdoors.
-Work with your staff lead to lighten the workload and pace yourself.
-Take breaks, and rest indoors.
-Monitor for signs of heat-related illness. Anyone showing symptoms of a heat-related illness should be moved to a cool space immediately and contact 911.
-Enjoy a free ice cream cone or cup on us at the RiverScape Fountain Snack Bar until Labor Day! Turn in a volunteer coupon to receive a free sweet treat and cool off on us!
-Watch for emails from your Staff Leads and/or Volunteer Services for changes to scheduled opportunities or tasks when the heat is especially high. Make sure your Get Connected volunteer account is set to receive emails from us through the site. You can check your communication preferences by clicking "Edit Profile" from your user menu and looking for "Data and Communication Settings". From here you can "Manage your Email Preferences". We'll share more about this in this month's Get Connected Tech Tip.
|
|
Meet Ginny Wood - Exploring MetroParks through Volunteerism
There are many reasons to volunteer, and in 2019 Ginny Wood decided she wanted to do new things with her life. Ginny wanted reasons to be outside and had been to some but not all of the MetroParks. She wanted to explore and learn more.
As a volunteer, Ginny has participated in a variety of opportunities especially many of the events like Bike to Work Day, Passport to MetroParks, the Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience, and Make a Difference Day. She said she loves to learn and enjoys something simple or something new when looking for ways to stay involved. "I have the time and desire to do more. There is no reason not to give things a try. So many things are offered, anyone can find a spot that fits," she shared.
Ginny has her weekly routine to see what opportunities might interest her and has participated in Bluebird Monitoring, garden workday at Possum Creek, textile workdays at Carriage Hill, and program support for various educational offerings. She can regularly be found at the Hills and Dales workdays, and her newest opportunity: Volunteer Courier. Ginny said she had never been to the Celtic Festival and decided to check it out this year, and of course, volunteered with MetroParks hospitality for part of the time. Ginny said " I needed to get out and do things, and there have been things in this community all along that I had never been to. It took volunteering to get to some of these things."
Thank you, Ginny for your outstanding commitment, dedication, and service to Five Rivers MetroParks!
Volunteer Elizabeth Katwyk, a senior at Troy High School has earned a perfect 36 score on the ACT! Elizabeth has volunteered over 170 hours supporting the Carriage Hill Riding Center as a Barn Aide, Pony Ride Assistant, and Equestrian Arena Assistant, so its no surprise to us to see this level of dedication and commitment to excellence! Congratulations on this amazing academic accomplishment, Elizabeth! MetroParks is so proud of you!
|
|
Volunteer Positions & Upcoming Opportunities
Summer Opportunities Available Now!
We're highlighting new and high priority volunteer opportunities for the summer season below. Check out how you can support the parks, programs, and events that you love this month below. Additional volunteer opportunities are available on Get Connected. See something that interests you, but have questions? Contact a Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or call #937-275-7275.
Don't forget to FAN the Volunteer Positions you are most interested in supporting in your Profile to receive a weekly email digest of new volunteer opportunities and trainings supporting that position. It also lets your Volunteer Services team know that you are interested in that position and its opportunities.
View our high-need, high-priority opportunities here, and noted below with this symbol.
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!
Ambassador volunteer, Marty Moseman, ready to greet visitors at one of our information booths.
Info Central Ambassadors:
Share your love and enthusiasm for our parks with visitors at Small Farm and Food Fest Saturday, August 5th at Carriage Hill MetroPark! Volunteers help 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 a Five Rivers MetroPark. Ambassador volunteers will be stations throughout the events to ensure a positive visitor experience. Learn more and sign up by clicking the blue VOLUNTEER button below.
Join Carol Williamson and other volunteers at the 2nd Street Market!
2nd Street Market Ambassadors:
Spending your Saturdays in the vibrant, bubbling atmosphere of 2nd Street Market, where you always end up running into a familiar face! Volunteers will be stationed near the entrance and will enhance the visitor experience by greeting and welcoming visitors. Volunteers will also conduct sales of MetroParks merchandise, provide wayfinding assistance, and promote the MetroParks by passing out literature. Learn more and sign up to support this facility here:
Not the right opportunity for you, but interested in supporting the 2nd Street Market? Check out these additional 2nd Street Market volunteer 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.
Wildlife Ambassador Volunteer Peter Camm shares a selfie while doing animal care at Germantown MetroPark.
Wildlife Ambassador Animal Care:
Help us care for our Wildlife Animal Ambassadors! 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 the VOLUNTEER button below.
|
|
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.
Bring a friend or even a group of friends to support invasive species removal this month!
"I enjoyed working with the crew leaders and volunteers. The process was streamlined."
-Invasive Species Removal Volunteer
NEW! Invasive Species Removal Projects:
Hey, nature lovers! Looking for a way to get outside and get active while making a positive impact on the environment? Join us in removing encroaching invasive species from the beautiful trails in YOUR MetroPark! Not only will you be helping to preserve the natural beauty of the park, but you'll also be making new friends and getting some exercise in the process. So put on your work gloves and join us for a fun and rewarding day out in nature!
-Englewood MetroPark Invasive Species Removal
-NEW! Service Saturday: Invasive Species Removal at Hills & Dales
|
|
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.
Volunteers supporting the gardens at Possum Creek MetroPark during a recent Service Saturday.
"Absolutely lovely! I learned so much in the time we were able to support Possum Creek Metro Park. I've already shared my findings with my friends and cannot wait to come back again!"
-Possum Creek Garden Maintenance & Beautification Volunteer at Service Saturdays
Gardening:
Looking for a way to grow your skills and make new buds this summer? Look no further than MetroParks' gardening volunteer opportunities! Not only will you be cultivating your green thumb, but you'll also be planting the seeds of new friendships. Plus, spending time in the great outdoors is the PERFECT way to keep your spirits and health in bloom. View the opportunities available below, sign up to support, and let's get growing together!
-Carriage Hill Farm Heirloom Garden Opportunity
-Wegerzyn Gardening Angels
-Possum Creek Garden Maintenance
-RiverScape and Urban Parks Garden Stewards
-Cox Arboretum Gardening
-Aullwood Gardener
-Service Saturday Gardening Projects
|
|
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.
Visitors can enjoy beautiful trails like this one at Sugarcreek MetroPark thanks to the dedicated support of our volunteers. Check out the new opportunities at Sugarcreek below!
Park Maintenance at Sugarcreek MetroPark:
NEW! Are you interested in finding a fun and fulfilling way to contribute to your community? We invite you to join us at Sugarcreek MetroPark to participating in our mulching and nature play maintenance projects! Not only will you have the opportunity to help preserve the beauty of our green spaces, but you'll also have the chance to enjoy the great outdoors and make new acquaintances. View available opportunities and sign up to volunteer below.
Volunteers and long-time friends Kathleen Shanahan-Aughe and Carrie Craig supporting trail work in our parks.
"Alex was amazing and explained the work to be done very well for a new volunteer like me."
-Trail Maintenance Volunteer
Trail Maintenance:
NEW! If you love the outdoors and want to help keep trails in good condition, join us at our trail maintenance volunteer opportunities! We're looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help keep our trails in tip-top shape for all visitors to enjoy. No experience necessary, just a willingness to get your hands a little dirty and a love for the great outdoors. Plus, you'll get to meet some like-minded folks and maybe even spot some wildlife along the way.
-NEW! Sugarcreek Trail Maintenance
-NEW! Possum Creek Trail Maintenance
-Twin Creek Trail Maintenance
-Service Saturday: MoMBA Trail Maintenance
Volunteer Kevin Westbrook supporting the 2nd Street Market with custodial tasks.
"Everyone at the Market is, as always, welcoming, and Linda is the BEST!"
-2nd Street Market Volunteer
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. Learn more, view shifts, and sign up to support this facility 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.
2nd Street Market Program Assistant:
Program Assistant volunteers enhance the market experience by offering interactive activities for visitors such as fresh produce tastings, games, and crafts. Click the VOLUNTEER button below to learn more or sign up.
Not the right opportunity for you, but interested in supporting the 2nd Street Market? Check out these additional 2nd Street Market volunteer opportunities here.
Historic Interpreter volunteer, Marcia Jurcsisn, and staff lead, Deb Spencer get ready to try what just came out of the oven.
"I am learning so much by doing this volunteer work! Deb Spencer is a great teacher and is so appreciative of whatever you do to help. I feel like the projects I have completed will really help the good folks at Carriage Hill."
-Programming Volunteer at Carriage Hill MetroPark
Historic Interpreters:
Do you like local history? Are you a bit theatric? Carriage Hill MetroPark Historic Farm may be the perfect fit for you! Historic Interpreter volunteers bring history to life, engage visitors in simple activities, and demonstrate some skills important in 1800's and today. No previous experience is required! 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 we look forward to seeing you there. Learn more about this exciting opportunity, view shifts, and begin training today by clicking the blue VOLUNTEER button below.
|
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.
Historic Woodworker, Bill Macek, enjoys sharing more about the ongoing projects with visitors at Carriage Hill.
Historic Woodworker Demonstrator:
Do you have woodworking skills you are willing to share? Interested in history and how those tools worked in the 1800's? Volunteers in the historic woodshop at Carriage Hill focus on the interpretation of the tools and methods of work performed and will help with farm projects or demonstration items. Our volunteers engage our visitors, and through interpretation and demonstrations, visitors will begin to understand the pride of craftsmanship and satisfaction experienced by wood workers of the 1880s in producing useful items. Learn more about this engaging volunteer opportunity, view available shifts, and begin training by clicking the blue VOLUNTEER button below.
|
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.
Volunteers are needed! Join volunteers like Brenda Dowdy at Small Farm & Food fest! A variety of volunteer opportunities are still available and historic dress is not required for most opportunities!
Small Farm & Food Fest:
Small Farm & Food Fest is coming up Saturday, August 5th at Carriage Hill MetroPark! Sign up to support this family-friendly, event that informs and celebrates healthy and sustainable living, buying local, and modern and historic farms. Volunteers are critical to making events like this a success.
Opportunities are open for supporting our information booths, parking assistance, sustainability, and more. Historic dress is not required for most opportunities. Sign up for a volunteer shift before or after attending one of the many scheduled presentations including Basics of Beekeeping, Gardening for Small Spaces, Beer Brewing 101, Benefits of Native Plants in the Garden, and more! Don't forget to check out the demonstrations, visit the informational booths, and grab something to eat at the food trucks. You won't want to miss this event! Why not give back while you're there! Learn more and sign up here:
The Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience:
Plan Ahead, Mark Your Calendars, and Respond Now! The Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience is Saturday, October 7 and Sunday, October 8 at Eastwood MetroPark. The excitement has already started for Five Rivers MetroParks' biggest event. Volunteers will be needed for setup, tear down, event sustainability, action sports, paddlesports, and more! View available opportunities and sign up by clicking the blue VOLUNTEER button below.
Make A Difference Day:
Save the date for this year's Make A Difference Day, Saturday, October 28th from 9am-Noon! Community members of all ages will work at various sites throughout Five Rivers MetroParks to help us clean up our parks and prepare for the winter season. Make a Difference Day is a great way to get outside and give back this October. Register your family, friends, or your work group and get everyone outside to make a difference! Registration is required and available online starting September 1st on Get Connected.
Make a Difference Day is generously sponsored by CenterPoint Energy, CareSource Foundation, Montgomery County Environmental Services, Keep Montgomery County Beautiful, and QEI Engineers.
|
Get Connected Tech Tip
Manage Your Site Communications
Did you know you can control the communications settings on your Get Connected Volunteer account?
Log in to your Get Connected account and from your account user menu, select "Edit Profile". From here, find "Data and Communication Settings".
Click "Manage My Preferences" to adjust your email communication preferences, opting in or out of specific email communications.
We recommend opting in to as many site communications as possible, but you can adjust your setting to fit your needs.
Be sure to toggle Email blasts to "ON" and Volunteer Notifications to "ON". You can then select the specific notifications you'd like to receive.
|
Staff Lead Highlight
Megan Rude, Lead Conservation Technician
Our Staff Lead Highlights are a great way for volunteers to get to know our staff and for staff to share their work with volunteers.
How long have you worked for Five Rivers MetroParks? What was your position when you started, and what is your position now?
"I've been with FRMP since June 2019. I interned for 6 months, then was hired part-time to conservation in December 2019. In March 2022, I became the Lead Conservation Technician."
What drew you to the field that you currently work in?
"I've always been a plant and wildlife lover and love to be outdoors. There's just something so calming to me about being out in nature. Finding a career field that combined those passions with meaningful work to make the world a better place pushed me into the field of conservation biology. I got my bachelor's and master's degrees in biological sciences with a focus in environmental life sciences and conservation biology."
Why do you enjoy working for Five Rivers MetroParks? What aspects of your role do you find to be the most rewarding?
"I've been going to the MetroParks since I was a kid and have a lot of fond memories here. Having the ability to work here and provide awesome natural parks for others to visit and be inspired by is one of my favorite things about this job. It's also awesome to see the impact our work can have on the local wildlife populations. Finding rare animal species, like Indiana bats, in our parks is one of the most rewarding things because it shows just how important the management work we do really is."
What do you think is an important aspect of being a Staff Lead of volunteers?
"It's important to communicate with your volunteers and thank them for their help! For bat monitors in particular, I make sure to share the results from all boxes with the volunteers because I know they're just as passionate and interested in bat conservation as I am. We couldn't do what we do here without volunteer support, and it's important to let them know that!"
How do volunteers support you, and how do volunteers support your team? How have volunteers positively impacted your work?
"We rely on volunteers to help us run our tree and plant propagation program, monitor bluebird and bat boxes, conduct prescribed burns, remove invasive plants, covermap, monitor trails and ponds etc. For the bat box monitoring in particular, the volunteer support has been awesome! We've had such a great response of folks independently monitoring bat boxes that we can add more and more boxes each year and increase the amount of survey times per season to get a better understanding of our local bat populations."
Can you share why you think volunteers and volunteerism are important to Five Rivers MetroParks?
"Volunteers are vital to our conservation work! Having only 5 conservation technicians and 1 biologist for 18 MetroParks and 9 conservation areas makes it tough to get all the important work done we need to. Our volunteers are really excellent about supporting opportunities we need extra help on."
Thank you, Megan, for being a true supporter of volunteers and volunteerism at MetroParks!
|
Nature is Open is now MetroParks Online! This MetroParks blog provides monthly program updates, sustainability tips, and a variety of articles of interest! In the August Monthly Update, you'll find the following Must Do in Your MetroParks list. See how many you can do this August!
-Make a final splash: Visit the Children's Discovery Gardens at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark, the Interactive Fountains at RiverScape MetroPark or the splashpad at Island MetroPark to make one final splash this summer. All these water features close Labor Day, so be sure to get out & cool off while you can.
-Look up on a clear night: There are quite a few things to spot in the clear night sky this month including two supermoons and the Perseids, the brightest meteor shower of the year. Camp out in a MetroPark or in your back yard to see if you can spot a shooting star.
-Visit a veggie garden: See what's in season by visiting the demonstration garden at Possum Creek MetroPark or Skeeter's Garden at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark. You can also check out heirloom veggies at Carriage Hill MetroPark's historical garden, which is adjacent to the farmhouse.
-We're adding--Grab a free ice cream cone or cup with your volunteer appreciation coupon and enjoy sunset views over the Great Miami River from RiverScape MetroPark!
|
Volunteer Appreciation
As a special thank you for volunteering, during July and August we are offering FREE ice cream to volunteers! You'll receive a coupon during your volunteer shift in July and August good for one free ice cream cone or cup at the Fountain Snack Bar at RiverScape MetroPark until Labor Day. Plan a day or evening at RiverScape enjoying the gardens, the Great Miami River Recreation Trail or Water Trail, and a variety of summer programs and special events at RiverScape. While you're there, don't forget to turn in your coupon and enjoy a free ice cream on us! If you did not receive a coupon at your volunteer shift, please contact volunteer.services@metroparks.org.
Also, there are still dates left for discounted Kings Island tickets-what a great way to celebrate the end of summer and send the kids back to school! Five Rivers MetroParks volunteers are eligible to purchase discounted tickets to Kings Island for select dates through August 20th. Tickets are discounted as much as 50% for the following select dates: August 5, 10 OR 20th. Check your email titled Five Rivers MetroParks Volunteer Newsletter - June 2023 for purchase instructions or contact volunteer.services@metroparks.org. for assistance.
Thank you for volunteering! Your time and effort truly make a difference!
|
|
Have you met us yet? Join us at an upcoming Volunteer Open House!
You can find us in the field and at our monthly Volunteer Open House sessions. We are at Cox Arboretum on the 2nd Tuesday and Carriage Hill on the 4th Thursday. Use this link to sign up in advance or look for these brand-new signs and drop in to see us!
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.
Your Volunteer Services Team
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
 Help us spread the word about volunteering with MetroParks! Print and post a volunteer flyer on the community boards at work, school, or your favorite community spot. Download and print the volunteer flyer here.
|
