Five Rivers MetroParks Volunteer Newsletter - March 2025

NOW is a great time to get outside and get active in the garden! Did you know that the late dormant season (late winter to early spring) is best for most pruning? Here are some guidelines to continue your learning: Pruning Trees and Shrubs

Inside this edition of the Volunteer Newsletter: 

FEATURE: 2024 Volunteer Impact Report Now Available!

VOLUNTEER UPDATE: Reminder - Please Complete our Annual Volunteer Survey!

CONSERVATION TIP: It Takes a Village to Maintain Habitats!

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: Norma Dycus - Finding Your Fit with MetroParks

MARCH VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: Adopt-A-Park is back, plus Spring Volunteer Training has begun!

GET CONNECTED TECH TIP: Spring Volunteer Training

STAFF LEAD HIGHLIGHT: Nicole Freshour, Conservation Coordinator

PARKWAYS: March MetroParks Monthly and More!

VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION: Volunteer Appreciation GROWS with New Volunteer Tributes!

FEATURE: The 2024 Volunteer Impact Report Available NOW!

2024 was another incredible year for volunteer service thanks to our generous volunteers, the dedicated staff who lead and supervise them, and the Volunteer Services team that works mostly behind the scenes to support both volunteers and staff leads in successful volunteer engagement throughout our MetroParks. 

This year, we grew by 6,400 volunteer hours for a total of 32,030.49 hours! AMAZING! Those numbers alone may not mean much, but when you start thinking about what they represent - all the helping hands tackling invasive species across our parks and conservation areas, maintaining our trails, planting native trees and plants, tending to our beautiful gardens, welcoming and assisting visitors, providing tours for school groups, demonstrating 19th century farm life, and working to ensure the success of our many programs and special events - it means a whole lot. Put simply, MetroParks could not do all that we do with you, our volunteers.

This year's Volunteer Impact Report shares some of the data and stories of that very special difference volunteers make. We hope you'll take some time to flip through it, and that you will find something in it that speaks to you and makes you proud of the impact you've made with MetroParks.

We'd also like to invite you to review your individual impact in your Volunteer Resume on Get Connected. Simply login to Get Connected and click the "Volunteer Resume" link on the right side of your volunteer dashboard. Then, filter the year fields for January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024. Click "Go" to view your individual contributions to MetroParks in 2024.  We are hope you are proud of the service you have provided and the difference you've made.

Thank you so much for your support - We truly appreciate you!

REMINDER: Please Complete our Annual Volunteer Survey!

We want your feedback on your volunteer experience with us in 2024. Please take a few minutes to complete this year's survey so we can ensure we are still meeting the needs of our volunteers and providing high-quality, meaningful volunteer opportunities. Click here to submit your survey.

Conservation Tip: It Takes a Village to Maintain Habitats!

Have you heard either of these sayings "many hands make light work", or "teamwork makes the dream work"? They're both true - the many helping hands of groups coming together to help us protect and maintain important park habitats make a big difference for local and regional conservation efforts! Companies, scouts, fraternities, sororities, and large families can gather together in our parks and give back. This is a great way to provide a team-building experience or celebrate a corporate or family milestone. Click here to learn more group volunteer opportunities and request a project for your group today!

There are many amazing volunteers at Five Rivers MetroParks, and each month we take time to honor them in our Volunteer Spotlights.

Although many people have a fondness for horses and express interest in opportunities at the Carriage Hill Riding Center, it is those volunteers like Norma Dycus that truly shine. "Norma is a great volunteer who is always willing to step in and make sure all our daily chores get done efficiently. She is friendly and wonderful to have at the barn. I really appreciate her kindness as she works with our horses during trail rides, pony rides, or just moving them to and from their stalls and pastures", says Christina Northrup, Equestrian Specialist. 

Norma began volunteering in December 2023 after relocating to the Dayton area from Arizona. There she volunteered for a horse rescue and sanctuary where she helped gentle and train mustangs, a role that she loved. Norma initially had difficulty adjusting to the Dayton area, missing her volunteer work with horses, when a friend suggested she check out volunteer opportunities at Carriage Hill MetroPark. Norma did just that, onboarding as a long-term volunteer and quickly completing her Barn Aide qualifications to begin volunteering with the horses at the Carriage Hill Riding Center. For Norma, volunteering with MetroParks was a natural choice for her because it involves so many of her loves - physical activity, children and, of course, horses!

Barn aide duties at the Riding Center offer Norma a good physical workout year-round and supporting Pony Rides is a special treat in the summer and fall. "The enthusiasm of the kids is so much fun to witness, and I certainly get my steps in on those days", Norma shared. Her favorite day of the year is the Halloween Pony Rides. Thanks to the staff's creativity each pony is outfitted in a unique Halloween costume delighting the children and families who participate or stop by to see the ponies. Norma also assists with trail rides. These trail rides bring her back to her childhood filled with so many memories of being on the farm where her love for horses began.

She likes variety in her volunteer work at the Riding Center: "Between Barn Aide duties, Pony Ride Assistant, and Trail Ride Assistant, I am never bored. I want to donate my labor to a worthy cause that benefits my community", she shared. "Plus, I really enjoy working with the staff at the Riding Center. We have a lot of fun even when it is cold or hot or physically challenging. The staff is supervising and teaching, working alongside the volunteers not just telling us what to do. It really feels like a team."

The appreciation is mutually shared. "Norma has been a wonderful addition to our volunteer community at the Riding Center. She is always happy to help, eager to get the job done, and does it well! She is one of the toughest volunteers braving the cold out here, which has been greatly appreciated. She does a great job with the horses and shows her appreciation for them every chance she gets, which is always so heartwarming to see", said Megan Ferrari, Staff Lead and Equestrian Specialist. 

Norma encourages others interested in volunteering to "explore the website, visit a park, check out a special program, and ask questions of volunteers and staff." Like her, she feels at MetroParks there is a match of interests and capabilities for just about everyone. Find your fit with MetroParks!



Thank you, Norma, for your outstanding commitment, dedication, and service to Five Rivers MetroParks! 

Interested in supporting the Carriage Hill Riding Center with Norma? NOW is a great time to get involved! Spring Barn Aide training dates are coming up in March and April. Learn more and begin training today by visiting our volunteer training library and completing the initial virtual training here. 
 
Meet more AMAZING volunteers by viewing our Volunteer Spotlights on our Volunteer Blog here. 

Volunteer Positions & Upcoming Opportunities

Volunteer opportunities and training sessions abound in the springtime at MetroParks. Take a look to see how you can continue to support your Five Rivers MetroParks this season. 

See something that interests you, but have questions? Contact volunteer.services@metroparks.org or call #937-275-7275 and as to speak with a Volunteer Coordinator. 

Looking for opportunities where we need the most help right now? View our high-priority volunteer opportunities here, or whenever you see this symbol below.

Ambassador

Ambassador Volunteers share their enthusiasm for Five Rivers MetroParks with diverse audiences in our parks and at outreach booths, programs, and events throughout the Miami Valley. Ambassadors are of the first friendly faces a visitor sees welcoming them to the park and can be counted on to share helpful information and answer a variety of questions.

As a Visitor Center Ambassador, Steve Belew ensures he has all the activities for the park and the latest map available to share with our visitors at Cox Arboretum MetroPark. 

MetroParks Visitor Center Ambassador

Calling outgoing MetroParks enthusiasts! Five Rivers MetroParks is getting ready for our busy season and that includes training for our knowledgeable and helpful Visitor Center Ambassadors. These volunteers help enhance the visitor experience by providing needed to support to our visitors at our two visitor centers at Carriage Hill MetroPark and Cox Arboretum MetroPark. They direct visitors around the parks, share upcoming programs and events, answer questions and offer a friendly face to visitors young and old. If you are interested in becoming a Visitor Center Ambassador, RSVP to one of our upcoming in-person trainings.

Learn more and RSVP by clicking the green RSVP button below. 

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.

Barn Aides provide critical support for the daily care of the horses and ponies at the Carriage Hill Riding Center.

New Volunteer Training:  Carriage Hill Riding Center Barn Aide 

Looking for a good workout and don't mind getting your hands dirty? Give back and get your workout in at the same time as a regular Barn Aide at the Carriage Hill Riding Center! 

Barn Aide Volunteers are critical to providing daily care for the horses and ponies, and the equestrian facility in which these beloved animals live, work, and play. Daily tasks include cleaning stalls, turning horses out to pasture, and providing fresh food and water. The work is hard, but the rewards are great! All new Riding Center volunteers begin as Barn Aide but can complete additional training to support a variety of programming opportunities at the Carriage Hill Riding Center.

Start your Barn Aide training today by learning more about this volunteer opportunity here and then click the green RSVP button to get started.

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.

Cover Mapping volunteers work as a team, and Rex Miller, Mike Shade, and Ellen Wahlrab learn about the areas they will be investigating. 

Adventure Awaits: Join Cover Mapping!

Ready to hike off the beaten path, learn awesome new skills, an leave your mark on nature? Cover Mapping is your chance to explore the outdoors, team up with fellow adventurers, and help map invasive species to protect our region's natural heritage.
You'll learn how to identify and map plants, collect data in the field, and see your work come to life in real-time. It's science, adventure, and teamwork rolled into one unforgettable experience!
Training kicks off in April, with ongoing weekday opportunities at Twin Creek MetroPark. Don't just love nature - help preserve it! View more details and RSVP to this in-person training by clicking the green RSVP button below. 

Volunteer Chris Vagedes helps remove invasive species at Aullwood Garden MetroPark. 

Join the Big Pull at Aullwood garden - April 15th!

Ready to dig deep for a good cause? The Big Pull is back on April 15th at Aullwood Garden MetroPark, and we need your help to weed out invasive plants in honor of Ohio Native Plant Month! Whether you join us in the morning or afternoon, or stay all day (bring your lunch if you do!), this is a great way to make a real impact on the environment, enjoy the outdoors, and connect with other passionate volunteers. View more details and sign up by clicking the blue VOLUNTEER button below. 

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.

From prepping to planting, our gardens are in good hands! Volunteer Steve Houston adds blooms at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark, staff Mary Andrick and Chris Vagedes tidy up Aullwood Garden, and staff Kaitlyn Lowry gets a head start on seedlings for the demonstration garden at Possum Creek MetroPark. 

Dig in and De-stress: Join our MetroParks Gardening Crew!

There's something special about getting your hands in the dirt - feeling the sun on your face, breathing in fresh air, and watching something beautiful grow. Whether you're an experienced gardener, or just love the idea of spending time in nature, we have the perfect spot for you!
From blooming gardens at Wegerzyn Gardens to the urban oases at RiverScape, our parks thrive thanks to volunteers like you. Join our friendly horticulture teams at Aullwood Garden, Cox Arboretum, Possum Creek, RiverScape, and Wegerzyn Gardens MetroParks and help keep these spaces vibrant and welcoming for all.
Not only will you make a visible impact, but you'll also enjoy a little stress relief, a chance to meet like-minded nature lovers, and the satisfaction of seeing your hard work flourish. No experience? No problem! We'll teach you everything you need to know. So grab your gloves, dig in, and let's grow something amazing together! Click the blue volunteer button below to learn more and sign up.

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.

Volunteer Vickie Wong takes time to help with spring clean-up at our Hills & Dales Workdays. 

Join the Fun at Hills & Dales MetroPark!

NEW! Get ready to make a difference while enjoying the great outdoors at Hills & Dales MetroPark, a hidden gem in the heart of Dayton! Beginning in April, volunteers are needed to help with a variety of tasks like trimming trail corridors, weeding and planting beds, mulching playgrounds, and even sanding and staining picnic tables. With tasks changing based on the park's needs, you'll never get bored, and every visit will feel like a new adventure.
This beautiful park, designed by the famed Olmsted Brothers, offers creeks, wooded trails, and unique Adirondack-style shelters tucked into a charming neighborhood. By volunteering, you'll play a key role in keeping this historic space vibrant and welcoming for the community. Ready to help? Sign up for a workday and be part of something special! View more details and sign up by clicking the blue VOLUNTEER button below. 

Public, community volunteers help to weed and mulch the flower beds at the Carriage Hill Riding Center.

Help Keep the Carriage Hill Riding Center Beautiful!

NEW! Love spending time outdoors and getting your hands in the dirt? Join the team at the Carriage Hill Riding Center and help keep this unique equestrian facility looking its best! Beginning in March, we're looking for volunteers one Wednesday per month through May to lend a hand with grounds maintenance and garden bed care. 
The Carriage Hill Riding Center provides opportunities for riders of all levels to connect with nature on horseback. While our team stays busy caring for the horses and running programs, we need extra help maintaining the beautiful grounds that welcome visitors. Volunteers will assist with tasks like clearing weeds and overgrown plants from the garden beds, trimming small trees along the pasture fence lines, and keeping the landscape tidy for guests and riders.
Enjoy the fresh air, make a visible impact, and support a one-of-a-kind MetroPark facility. Ready to pitch in? Sign up for a workday and be part of the team! Click the blue VOLUNTEER button below to learn more and sign up.

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.

Volunteers Deb Kozar, Carey Nelson, Bob Nelson, and Judy Johnston prepare for the upcoming fieldtrip season and work together to learn new skills. 

Spring School Program Volunteer Training

Do you love sharing our natural world with others? Are you excited and energized by working with youth?! If you said YES to both of these questions, you're who we're looking for to join our School Program volunteer team! These volunteers are essential in helping to make every field trip a safe, fun, and engaging experience in our parks for every student. 

In this training, you'll get to meet other like-minded, nature-loving volunteers, learn best practices for sharing nature with youth of all ages, review upcoming seasonal programming content, and learn more about your MetroParks. No experience is necessary. We'll train you! Just bring your enthusiasm for nature, your willingness to learn, and your love for working with kids!  

This training will take place over 4 days in-person in March, including field trips to Sugarcreek, Wegerzyn Gardens, and Carriage Hill MetroParks. Volunteers are encouraged to attend all 4 session and RSVP to each you are able to attend. Learn more and RSVP by clicking the green RSVP button below. 





Backcountry Camping Program Assistant Volunteer Training Part 2

The second session in our Backcountry Program Assistant Volunteer Training series will focus on the basics of backpacking and camping, including an overview of camping equipment, food, water, and best practices for packing. This training is required for any volunteers that would like to assist with overnight camping programs and backpacking trips.

Learn more and sign up by clicking the green RSVP button below.




Staff Lead and Education Specialist, Deb Spencer, shares with a young visitor how a loom was used before letting him try a few simple tasks. 

Historic Interpreter Spring Volunteer Training

Do you enjoy working with people? Do you have an interest in history? Historic Interpreter volunteers are part of the programming team at the Daniel Arnold Historic Farm at Carriage Hill MetroParks bringing this 19th century farm to life. Attend this hands-on training to get involved as a brand-new volunteer or to deepen your knowledge and skills as a current Historic Interpreter volunteer. This in-person training will be offered on 2 days, March 20th and 22nd.  Volunteers only need to attend 1 day. Learn more and RSVP by clicking the green RSVP button below. 

Special Events

Five Rivers MetroParks provides an array of outdoor events and large programs throughout the year for residents of the Miami Valley to get connected to recreation, music, history, family, and most of all nature. Special Event volunteers serve a critical role in ensuring that each special event or large-scale program runs smoothly from set-up to tear down.

Adopt-A-Park

Adopt-A-Park is back Saturday, April 26th! Five Rivers MetroParks celebrates Earth Day on Saturday, April 26th during Adopt-A-Park, our 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 of this year's opportunities and sign up to support by clicking the blue VOLUNTEER button below. 
Adopt-A-Park is generously supported by these sponsors: Montgomery County Environmental Services, Keep Montgomery County Beautiful, and QEI Engineers, Inc.

Adopt-A-Park Service Kits

Get Connected Tech Tip: Spring Volunteer Training

NOW is a great time to start your volunteer training in preparation for Spring and Summer volunteer opportunities!  Visit our Volunteer Training Library to view convenient online volunteer trainings available to you NOW. Then, visit our Training and Events page to find in-person volunteer training options and season openers.

Need some assistance finding the right volunteer opportunity or relevant volunteer training for you? Or do you need help completing or renewing your volunteer qualifications?

Meet with a Volunteer Coordinator at an upcoming in-person Volunteer Open House to receive one-on-one assistance helping you to get engaged and giving back this season! This month our Volunteer Open House is scheduled for Tuesday, March 11th beginning at 5pm at Adventure Central. Learn more and RSVP to let us know you'll be stopping in by clicking the green RSVP button below. 

Not available on March 11th for the Volunteer Open House? No problem! You can connect with our dedicated and supportive Volunteer Services Team anytime by emailing volunteer.services@metroparks.org or calling #937-275-7275 and asking to speak to a Volunteer Coordinator. 

View more helpful Get Connected Tech Tips on our Volunteer Blog here. 

Staff Lead Highlight: Nicole Freshour, Conservation Coordinator

Staff Lead highlights are a great way for volunteers to get to know our staff and for staff to share their work with volunteers. 

This month, we're excited to feature Nicole Freshour, a Conservation Coordinator and SE Zone Steward with Five Rivers MetroParks. Since joining MetroParks in October 2019 as a Conservation Technician, Nicole has been dedicated to restoring and maintaining natural areas, fostering biodiversity, and inspiring others to connect with the outdoors.  

From an early age, Nicole was drawn to nature - catching frogs, identifying plants, and spending time outdoors fueled a lifelong passion for conservation. Originally considering a career in animal care, Nicole shifted focus after a formative experience in a natural resources program. Encouraged by a mentor, Nicole pursued a degree in Wildlife Management at Hocking Technical College before continuing studies in Fish & Wildlife Management at The Ohio State University. These experiences set the foundation for a career dedicated to habitat restoration and wildlife conservation. 

For Nicole, one of the most rewarding aspects of working with MetroParks is seeing the results of conservation efforts firsthand. "There is always so much more to do, but the areas we focus on 'shine' with newfound resilience," Nicole shares. The combination of hands-on habitat management and working alongside passionate colleagues makes each day fulfilling. 

As a Staff Lead, Nicole believes that enthusiasm is contagious. "Passion begets passion", she explains. "Sharing my knowledge and passion for nature with volunteers helps to fuel their own enthusiasm for the work we do. Even when the work seems repetitive or endless, it is still work that needs to be done, and every bit helps to bring our parks back to a healthy balance."

Nicole works with volunteers in a variety of ways, from prescribed burns and invasive species removal to seed collection and wildlife monitoring. She recognizes the incredible impact volunteers have, saying, "Many hands make light work. We are much more efficient and effective with assistance from our amazing, dedicated volunteers." She also enjoys learning from them, noting, "I often feel I take away just as much knowledge from them as I dispense."

Outside of work, Nicole is an avid volunteer, participating in annual Christmas Bird Counts and guiding birdwatching tours for the Biggest Week in American Birding festival. Within MetroParks, Nicole has also volunteered at the Carriage Hill Riding Center at Carriage Hill MetroPark. 

We're grateful for Nicole's expertise, leadership, and commitment to conservation. Her ability to inspire and collaborate with volunteers helps make MetroParks' natural spaces healthier and more resilient for both wildlife and people. 

Want to work alongside Nicole and support conservation efforts? Check out our conservation volunteer opportunities! Or, join us for our next Volunteer Open House, where you can connect with a Volunteer Coordinator to find the right volunteer opportunity for you. Click here to RSVP!

Thank you, Nicole, for your outstanding leadership and dedication to volunteers at Five Rivers MetroParks!

Meet more of our dedicated staff members in additional Staff Lead Highlights on our Volunteer Blog here. 

Volunteer Appreciation

NEW! Tributes Recognizing Volunteer Service - We are growing our Volunteer Incentive Program (VIP) to show our growing appreciation for our dedicated volunteers. Beginning this year,

volunteers with 2,000 or more volunteer hours can be recognized for their service to Five Rivers MetroParks with a variety of thoughtful tributes:

-*2,000 hours - Tree (10 Year endowment)

-*3,000 hours - Trail (5 Year endowment)

-*5,000 hours - Shelter (10 Year Endowment

Tributes can be made in honor of or memory of volunteers who have provided dedicated long-term service to Five Rivers MetroParks. Requests can be made by the volunteer to be honored, another FRMP volunteer, a Five Rivers MetroParks Staff Lead of volunteers, a member of Volunteer Services, or a member of the volunteer's family. Requests will be made through our current VIP Item Request Form available on Get Connected or by contacting Volunteer Services.

*All tribute items will be endowed for a specific period of time and will be labeled with the volunteer's name, dates of volunteer service, and a thank you message. *Limit one tribute item per individual volunteer. 

COMING SOON! Volunteer Services is partnering with your Staff Leads to prepare special thank you cards for volunteers who served 10 hours or more with us in 2024. Look for these in your mailbox soon!

For those with 25 hours or more in 2024, your thank you card will also include your 2025 volunteer discount code card good for a 15%, 30% or 50% discount on MetroParks programs and routine rentals throughout 2025. 

In the meantime, don't forget to request your VIP apparel - milestone service pins, hats, and shirts through our VIP Item Request Form or by contacting Volunteer Services. This is also a great time to request a new or replacement name badge! You can also request this through the VIP Item Request Form.

Thank you for volunteering with 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

Allie 

Parks & Conservation # (937) 274-3176

Amanda

Ambassador & Special Events, Interim Administration # (937) 277-4109

Yvonne

Outdoor Connections Programming # (937) 277-4147

Jenny

Human Resources Manager of Volunteer Services

Interim: Animal Care & Animal Programming and Court Appointed Volunteer Service # (937) 567-1413