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As summer comes to a close, the vibrant hues, earthy scents, and crunch of fallen leaves signal the arrival of Fall. Fall is a great time to explore the trees in your MetroParks and witness their colorful foliage. Discover the perfect locations for leaf-peeping in your MetroParks here.
In this edition of the Volunteer Newsletter:
-Feature: Fall is almost here and so are the Season's Best Special Events!
-Volunteer Spotlight: Conservation Cover Mapping Volunteers
-Volunteer Positions & Opportunities: The Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience, Fall Family Adventures, Make a Difference Day and more!
-Get Connected Tech Tip: The Volunteer Training Library
-Staff Lead Highlight: Deb Spencer, Education Specialist
-Policy Reminder: Diversity and Inclusiveness
-Volunteer Appreciation: Thank you Small Farm & Food Fest Volunteers, and Don't forget to use your FREE ice cream coupons this weekend!
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Fall is almost here and so are the Season's Best Special Events!
Join us in the parks this Fall for the season's best special events! Serving at an event is a great way to jump into volunteerism with us, get outside, and give back. Your volunteer support makes events like these possible.
You will find a variety of ways to give back at each event with pre-event preparation, event set up and tear down, program support, ambassador opportunities, and more! View the volunteer opportunities for each event by clicking the links below. Contact volunteer.services@metroparks.org with questions or for assistance signing up.
We look forward to seeing you at our special events this Fall-Thank you for your support!
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Cover Mapping Volunteers - In the Thick of Things and Sometimes in the Middle of a Thicket!
Cover Mapping is a complex project that requires a great deal of effort from the volunteers involved. This scientific process of mapping vegetation types helps us to determine the current health of our habitats, how the habitats have changed over time and make management recommendations. Volunteers who support this project must establish a comprehensive understanding of the mapping protocol, as well as the ability and patience to traverse challenging terrain. Additionally, they must have strong plant identification skills, be capable of orienting themselves and mapping the area accurately, process collected data, use GPS tools, and communicate effectively to coordinate scheduling and site details. To support our Biologist in data analysis, a volunteer also assists in organizing and entering cover mapping data sheets.
Ben Crusoe, Conservation Technician and Cover Mapping Staff Lead is appreciative of the whole team of volunteers that supports these efforts. He would also like to share a special thanks to those volunteers who admirably serve as Cover Mapping Team Leads and are currently working on a project at Englewood MetroPark: Dianne Frimel, Ellenmarie Wahlrab, Mike Shade, and Susan Sandro.
Cover mapping was halted during the pandemic, however, over the past year and a half, week after week, these and other volunteers freely take personal time out of their day to show up and be present to further the progress to accomplish the goals of the project. The results of their dedication and hard work will provide MetroParks with detailed information on the composition of the plant communities at Englewood. The information they are collecting facilitates staff to track forest plant community compositional changes and trends over time and to direct, prioritize, and construct management efforts.
"The amount of time, effort, commitment, and dedication that our Team Leads and other cover mapping volunteers freely give of themselves to the agency, our natural areas, and our community is impressive and extremely commendable. Without them, this project and the insight the data they collect provides, simply would not be attainable." says Ben of his volunteers.
Thank you to all our Cover Mapping volunteers for your outstanding commitment, dedication, and service to Five Rivers MetroParks!
Meet more amazing MetroParks volunteers in our monthly Volunteer Spotlights featured in the Volunteer Blog here.
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Volunteer Positions & Upcoming Opportunities
See how you can support your Five Rivers MetroParks this season. View our upcoming volunteer opportunities below. Don't forget to FAN the Volunteer Positions you support. When you FAN a volunteer position you receive a weekly digest email for that position that includes new volunteer opportunities. It also lets your Volunteer Services team know that you are interested in that position and its opportunities.
See something that interests you, but have questions? Contact a Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or call #937-275-7275.
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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!
Barbara Czestochowa, 2nd Street Market Ambassador, welcomes visitors and lets them know about all the exciting things happening!
"Staff members were very welcoming and, although busy with other duties most of the time, great to work with. I enjoyed meeting with visitors and had the bonus of listening to good live music!" -2nd Street Market Volunteer
Market Ambassador:
Support the 2nd Street Market this Season! Join us in the vibrant, bubbling atmosphere of the 2nd Street Market, where you'll always run into a familiar face! Volunteers will be stationed near the entrance and will greet visitors, conduct sales of MetroParks merchandise, provide wayfinding assistance, and promote the MetroParks by passing out literature. Learn more and sign up by clicking the blue volunteer button below.
The Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience - Ambassadors:
Are you a people person? The visitor experience at The Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience starts with our ambassador volunteers and sets the tone for their visit. Ambassador volunteers are the friendly faces that greet all visitors, direct people to the fun activities, provide helpful information, and answer a variety of questions. View our high need event ambassador opportunities here:
-Event Ambassador
-Waiver Station Ambassador
-Merchandise Assistant
-Information Central Ambassador
-MetroParks Booth Ambassador
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Animal Care volunteers support staff in caring for farm animals and wildlife animal ambassadors at a variety of our parks. These animals support MetroParks' mission by connecting the public to nature and education on local history, conservation, and small site sustainability.
Elizabeth Katwyk, Carriage Hill Riding Center volunteer, knows the importance of clean stalls and does her barn aide duties with a smile!
"I really like the volunteer get connected site. I was able to easily grab a last-minute shift when my morning became free unexpectedly. The same is true about being able to switch my shifts easily if my work schedule changes."- Barn Aide Volunteer
NEW! Carriage Hill Riding Center Barn Aides:
Calling all Horse Lovers! Fall Onboarding for new Carriage Hill Riding Center Volunteers! 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 Aide, and then can complete additional training to assist with Pony Rides, Lessons, Camps, and Trail Rides.
Note: This opportunity is open to volunteers ages 14 or older. All volunteers at the Carriage Hill Riding Center begin as Barn Aides. Click the blue volunteer button to learn more about this opportunity and respond to begin the easy online training.
Ashley Mason, Wildlife Ambassador volunteer, spends some time keeping our wildlife social for upcoming outreach programs.
Wildlife Ambassador Animal Care:
Our Wildlife Ambassador need you! 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. 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.
Note: All new Wildlife Ambassador volunteers begin with animal care. Additional opportunities for Wildlife Ambassadors include Wildlife Ambassador Program Support and Outreach. Interested in joining the effort? Learn more and begin the easy online volunteer training by clicking the blue volunteer button below.
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Gardening volunteers support our horticulture and education staff in caring for a variety of gardens throughout our parks. These gardens not only provide beautiful spaces for Miami Valley residents to get outside, explore, and connect to nature, but many also provide fresh local produce to those in need in our community.
Volunteers, Jim White and Corinne Smith, enjoy a day in the Heirloom Garden at Carriage Hill Historic Farm.
Carriage Hill Farm Heirloom Gardening:
What is an Heirloom Garden? Do you enjoy working outside while learning about our local history, particularly as it pertains to growing food? The heirloom kitchen garden and flower beds at the Carriage Hill MetroPark Historic Farm tell important stories that celebrate our agricultural heritage in the Miami Valley. This includes a significant portion of our local landscape shaped by generations of farmers growing a variety of heirloom crops commonly found on farms in the 1880s. Join our gardening team on the historic farm at Carriage Hill MetroPark. Learn more and sign up to volunteer by clicking the blue volunteer button below.
Education Coordinator and Staff Lead Kaitlyn Lowry in the garden at Possum Creek MetroPark. Join Kaitlyn in the garden this season!
"Kate is fantastic! Treats volunteers like we are amazing! Served us lemonade!"-Possum Creek Gardening Volunteer
Possum Creek Garden Maintenance:
Love to be outside and in the dirt? Grab your garden gloves and roll up your sleeves! Join Kaitlyn and the education staff at Possum Creek MetroPark in maintaining the gardens and flower beds at the farm. The Demonstration Gardens provide produce to those in need throughout Dayton and the Miami Valley. Learn and apply effective gardening techniques while fostering healthy biodiversity for pollinators. Lend a helping hand by clicking the blue volunteer button below.
Shout out to our Adopt-A-Park volunteers with Staff Lead Uriah Langmeyer at Cox Arboretum!
"It was a great experience. Wow there were a lot of weeds! It was rewarding to see this garden plot shaping up."- Cox Gardening Volunteer
Gardening:
Looking for a way to grow your skills and make new buds this summer? Consider these additional gardening volunteer opportunities with MetroParks! 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!
-Wegerzyn Gardening Angels
-RiverScape and Urban Parks Garden Stewards
-Cox Arboretum Gardening
-Aullwood Gardener
-Service Saturday Gardening Projects--The last Service Saturday of the season is scheduled for September 16th--Join us!
Check out this feature on long-term volunteer Sue Howorth available on Parkways Online, the MetroParks blog. Sue has supported the gardens and programming at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark, including the Fall Family Adventure, for years. In addition to giving back with her skills and time as a volunteer, Sue also gives back as a donor. Thank you, Sue, for all you do to support Five Rivers MetroParks!
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Five Rivers MetroParks provides clean, safe parks and conservation areas for the public to enjoy year-round. Our Park Maintenance volunteers help to manage and sustain 18 beautiful parks, 11 conservation areas, and 160 miles of hike, bike, mountain bike, and horseback- riding trails for park visitors to safely enjoy.
Sugarcreek Trail Maintenance:
If you love the outdoors and want to help keep trails in good condition, join us for trail maintenance at Sugarcreek MetroPark! 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. Learn more and sign up to support this effort by clicking the blue volunteer button below.
NEW! Possum Creek Trail Maintenance:
Come learn, grow, and give back to the trails you love with this exciting trail maintenance volunteer opportunity! Led by our staff, these trail maintenance opportunities will focus on revitalizing the trail systems at Possum Creek. Learn alongside like-minded individuals on the why's and how's of maintaining a sustainable trail system on these hands-on workdays. Learn more and sign up by clicking the blue volunteer button below.
Additional Trail Maintenance Opportunities:
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. Learn more and sign up by clicking the links or the blue volunteer button below.
-Twin Creek Trail Maintenance
-Service Saturday: MoMBA Trail Maintenance- September is our last Service Saturday of the season--Join us!
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Five Rivers MetroParks provides a wide variety of high-quality programs to help the public get outside and get connected to nature. Programming volunteers work alongside staff to provide support at programs year-round that help participants master new skills, learn about the natural world, and appreciate the value of open spaces.
University of Dayton Senior and volunteer, Brooklyn Cassidy, enjoys helping the young students at Adventure Central.
Adventure Central Program Assistant:
Love kids? Spend your time hanging out with the most adventurous youth in Dayton! 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. These kids are just bursting with energy and excitement! The Program Assistant spends time helping in the homework room, assisting in the kitchen during mealtimes, or outdoors monitoring play time and getting roped into all sorts of shenanigans from playing in the creek to jumping rope, to gaga ball! Learn more and sign up to support this opportunity by clicking the blue volunteer button below.
Volunteers, Jeff Warden and Ken Hudak, work on pole maintenance getting ready for a program.
"Nice to help teach these kids, workers and parents were all nice, appreciative and respectful."-Fishing Program Support Volunteer
Fishing Program Support:
Know someone who likes to fish, maybe even likes to fly fish? Fishing can be a fun all year activity and we are excited to help people get the skills they need with programs available for people of all ages. We're looking for fishing volunteers and fly-fishing volunteers to support a variety of upcoming fishing programs and the fishing area at the Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience! No previous fishing experience is required. You'll learn from our expert staff and ongoing volunteers! Learn more and sign up to volunteer by clicking the blue volunteer button below.
Historic Interpreter volunteer, Bobbi Beyer, enjoys a moment by the old tree, before gathering more firewood for the stove.
Historic Interpreters:
Help us bring the historic farm to life! Historic Interpreter Volunteers bring history to life, engage guest in simple activities, and demonstrate some skills important in 1800's and today. No previous experience is required--We'll train you! All you need is a love for history, willingness to learn and share with the public, and the ability to commit to an ongoing regular monthly shift on the farm. Learn more about this opportunity and respond to start your easy online volunteer training right away.
Volunteers help individuals and families enjoy a canoe or kayak experience at Eastwood MetroPark as part of our Try Paddlesports programming.
"Fitting people with PFDs was a lot of work! But it was fun, and I learned a lot about fitting PFDs on people. I discovered if they use one that is too big it is impossible to get it tight enough, so we have to go down a size. The kids were awesome too, and everyone seemed to be excited about getting on the water."-Try Paddlesports Volunteer
The Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience: - Try Paddlesports:
Volunteers are needed to support paddling area at the Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience! This one of the most popular "try it" areas of the event and is designed to get participants comfortable on the water and teach basic paddling skills. Volunteers assist with life jacket fitting, act as safety monitors in the line and around the water, assist participants in and out of boats, and those who have completed training, can act as safety boaters on the water. Learn more about these exciting opportunities and sign up by clicking the blue volunteer button below.
Check out these additional Programming volunteer opportunities at the event here.
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Event volunteers ensure that a positive, high-energy, outdoor enthusiasm tone starts at the welcome, and the event appears seamless and effortless for all who participate.
The Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience:
Volunteers just like YOU are needed to help us create the magic of the region's premier outdoor adventure festival! More than 400 volunteers, ages 14 and up, of all experience levels are needed to support a variety of needs throughout the event including event set up, tear down, action sports, try paddling, information support, sustainability, and much more.
As the region's premier outdoor adventure festival, more than 17,000 active outdoor enthusiasts and families attend this exciting event at Eastwood MetroPark. Join us to volunteer for pre-event opportunities starting Monday, October 2, or for the event on Saturday, October 7 and Sunday, October 8 at Eastwood MetroPark for this year's Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience!
Learn more about this year's event, view available volunteer opportunities, and sign up to volunteer by clicking the blue volunteer button below.
Fall Family Adventure:
Help us celebrate the beauty and joy of the Fall season at this year's Fall Family Adventure at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark, Saturday, October 21st! This program provides opportunities for families to learn how animals and plants change in the fall while enjoying games, crafts, face painting and a yummy marshmallow roast. Participants can explore the prairie and then hear wonderful tales from a storyteller, enjoy live music, a magician, meet Animal Ambassadors, learn the secrets of spiders, and stroll through the beautiful gardens. Refreshments will be provided. Volunteers make it all possible by supporting a variety of family-friendly activities and assisting with event set-up and tear-down. Learn more and sign up to support this wonderful Fall program by clicking the blue volunteer button below.
Make A Difference Day:
Join us Saturday, Oct. 28 from 9 AM to noon for Make a Difference Day at Five Rivers MetroParks! 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! Learn more and sign up by clicking the blue volunteer button below.
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Support our Partners
Tree Planting with TREEcovery!
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 final large scale tree planting effort occurring as part of the Miami Valley TREEcovery Campaign will take place on Saturday, September 23, 2023. Volunteers are needed to plant more than 100 trees for tornado impacted residents in Brookville, Trotwood and Harrison Township. The event will begin at 9:00a.m. with check-in at Sinclair Park (685 Shoup Mill Road, Dayton, OH 45415). Volunteers will be taught proper tree planting techniques, then arranged into small groups that will be sent to home sites. Click here to learn more and sign up to volunteer for this important campaign.
Note: This is not a Five Rivers MetroParks volunteer opportunity.
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Get Connected Tech Tip
The Volunteer Training Library
Have you visited the Volunteer Training Library yet? The Volunteer Training Library is a great place to find information on Get Connected and participate in high-quality, on-demand volunteer training! It is easily accessible from the left main site navigation menu and is organized by our 9 volunteer positions. Many of our volunteer opportunities require qualifications with links to volunteer trainings available in the Volunteer Training Library.
If you are interested in going beyond a single day of public service and want to learn more about what is involved with supporting some of our ongoing, long-term volunteer opportunities, or if you are just a little curious, remember to visit our Volunteer Training Library the next time you visit Get Connected.
View more Get Connected Tech Tips like this one in our Volunteer Blog here.
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Staff Lead Highlight
Deb Spencer, Education Specialist
Staff Lead Highlights are a great way for volunteers to get to know our staff and for staff to share their work with volunteers.
Deb Spencer, a staple at the Historic Farm on the weekends, has been with MetroParks for 20 years. She brings many talents to her role as an Education Specialist including a degree in music and a variety of artisan skills and crafts including spinning, knitting, weaving, sewing, crocheting, and pattern drafting which she often teaches the public in scheduled programs and enlists volunteers to support.
As a staff lead, she supports a variety of volunteers including textile volunteers (Skilled Trades), the historic interpreters (Programming), and the program support (Programming) volunteers to bring the historic farm to life at Carriage Hill MetroPark. When asked what she finds most rewarding about her job, she shared she "enjoy(s) teaching and working with children, volunteers, visitors and staff." Involved in her community as a volunteer with Miami County Locally Grown Virtual Farmers Market and Good Neighbor House Food Pantry, Deb understands what makes a good volunteer opportunity. Deb says that "training for volunteers (and the staff lead), having a point of contact on site, and teamwork are aspects to remember for volunteer opportunities".
As a staff lead, Deb looks at a need within her role, breaks it down to tasks, and combines it with how volunteers can support her and the park in meaningful ways. When you talk with Deb, you can see how much she values the volunteers, how appreciative she is for their support, and the impact they make when they share their skills in one of the many scheduled volunteer opportunities on the farm. "Volunteers help carry on the vision, train others, and help educate", she says.
Join Deb on the Historic Farm! View volunteer opportunities available at the Historic Farm at Carriage Hill MetroPark this season here. Or join us for our next Volunteer Open House, September 17th from 10am-2pm at the Carriage Hill MetroPark Visitor Center where you can meet one-on-one, in-person, with a Volunteer Coordinator and learn how you can support the historic farm RSVP here to let us know you're coming.
Thank you, Deb, for being a true supporter of volunteers and volunteerism at MetroParks!
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Thank YOU for Volunteering!
Special thank you to this year's Small Farm and Food Fest volunteers! Events like this one wouldn't be possible without YOU!
Program Support and Ambassador Volunteers: Tamilee, Jeremy, Henry and Maya Holbrook, Melanie Swiderek, Jay Howard, Jeanne Boeke, Karyn Sullivan, Christine and Dan Tieman, Colleen Girard, Corinne Smith, Sue and Jim White, Stephanie Bange, Vickie Wong, Maureen Horwath, Ashley Dale, Brenda Dowdy, Dianne Pieratt, Treva Pickenpaugh, Kathleen Walter, Brian Butcher, Oakley Anslinger, Carl King
Historic Interpreter and Skilled Trades Volunteers: Charlie Wiltrout, Ron Brown, John Dunn, Cherie Kuhn, Steve McNew, Maddie Mobarry, Ellen Eveland, Amy Korpieski, Bill Macek, Charles Sigler, Frank Beitel, Marcia Jurcsisn
Don't forget to use your Volunteer Appreciation Ice Cream Coupons before Labor Day! Take a friend, a coworker, the kids or grandkids out for a treat this weekend on us! Coupons were distributed at volunteer opportunities in July and August and are good for a FREE Ice Cream Cone or Cup at the RiverScape MetroPark Fountain Snack Bar. The Fountain Snack bar closes for the season on Labor Day. Enjoy a sweet, cold treat before then as a sincere thank you from Five Rivers MetroParks for your volunteer service this summer. The Fountain Snack Bar is open Friday & Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Volunteer Appreciation Ice Cream Coupon must be presented to qualify. View additional information about the Fountain Snack Bar and RiverScape MetroPark here.
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Policy Reminder
At Five Rivers MetroParks, we believe Nature is for EVERYONE and volunteering is for EVERYONE.
As we approach election season, please keep in mind that all staff and volunteers are expected to create a safe, welcoming, inclusive experience for every employee, volunteer, and visitor of our parks. We ask that you please refrain from political conversations during volunteer service.
For more on our policy on Diversity and Inclusiveness, please see the Five Rivers MetroParks Volunteer Handbook here. If you have questions about this policy or any other questions about volunteerism, please contact volunteer.services@metroparks.org or call#937-275-7275 and ask to speak with a volunteer coordinator.
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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.
You can find us in the field and at our monthly 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 for one of the Open House sessions.
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
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