FEATURE: Doctor's Orders: Volunteer!

Volunteering is good for your health, and now doctors are prescribing it. Decades of research has shown that adopting healthy habits like volunteering can boost your mood and your mental and physical health. Time in nature reduces stress, exercise eases depression and anxiety while boosting cardiovascular health, social connections help hold people accountable and giving back releases endorphins. Plus, having a sense of purpose can help you live longer. Doctors in over 200 countries have started prescribing a variety of social activities including volunteering due to their many benefits and effects on health. Doctors in the U.S. are also starting to prescribe healthy social activities as well. Read more in this article from NPR's Living Better Series and this one from the BBC.

We have some great opportunities for you coming up this month and we're encouraging you to write your own social prescription to boost your health through volunteering. Join a regular volunteer group to make volunteering a regular part of your week or month, build new connections, make friends, and make a difference - you'll reap the benefits in your mental and physical health.
Check out these ongoing volunteer opportunities and click the links to learn more:

Gardening Groups - We have a variety of ongoing gardening groups that meet regularly weekly. 

Trail Teams - We also have a couple of different trail teams that meet regularly to improve our park trails. If you're looking for something a little more strenuous - this might be your opportunity!

Hills & Dales Work Day - Join a regular ongoing group that tackles a little of everything at Hills & Dales MetroPark. You'll do some gardening, invasive species removal, some trail work, and more.

Barn Aides - Or join our team of volunteers at the Carriage Hill Riding Center caring for our many horses, ponies, barn cats and the facilities at the Riding Center. Fall Barn Aide training is starting soon!

Not ready to commit to an ongoing opportunity? Or just looking for more ways to get outside and connect with others while making a difference for yourself and your community? We have some great opportunities coming up to join our community of volunteers in service with The Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience and Make A Difference Day! These are among our largest events of the year - a lot of hands are needed to join together to pull off the Midwest's Premier Outdoor Adventure Festival and prepare our parks for the winter season. Click the links to learn more and commit to joining us this fall in the parks for us and for YOU. 

Poison Ivy with its berries can be found throughout MetroParks. 

Safety Tip: Watch Out for Skin-Irritating Plants in Ohio!

As you are out in the garden, on the trails, or enjoying the outdoors, it's important to stay safe not only from sunburn and ticks, but also from plants that can cause serious skin reactions. Here are a few common culprits in Ohio to be aware of:

1. Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans)

This native plant causes itchy, blistering rashes throughout contact with urushiol oil. It can grow as a vine or shrub, often along trails, fences, and wooded edges. Be cautious when clearing brush or moving through overgrown areas. "Leaves of three, let it be!"

2. Wild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa)

This invasive species contains sap that reacts with sunlight to cause phytophotodermatitis - a painful, blister-like rash. It has yellow umbrella-shaped flower clusters and grooved stems. Found in meadows and along roadsides. Wear gloves and long sleeves when working nearby.

3. Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)

Often mistaken for sumac or walnut, this invasive tree gives off a strong odor and spreads aggressively. While it doesn't usually cause severe skin irritation, some people report rashes or allergic reactions after handling it. More concerning is its sap can cause eye irritation or worsen respiratory issues, especially during removal. 

4. Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica)

This native plant delivers an instant sting via tiny hairs on its stem and leaves. It thrives in moist, disturbed soils - especially along trail edges. Contact causes a burning or itching sensation that can last for hours.

What can you do to help avoid reactions? Avoid direct skin contact with these plants, if possible. This can be done by wearing closed-toed shoes, long sleeve shirts and long pants. Avoid touching your face or rubbing your eyes if you know you've been exposed to any irritating plant. There are some pre-contact and post-contact wipes and soaps that can be helpful, especially with poison ivy urushiol. 

Try Volunteering with Tatum

Program Support: Textile & Fiber Arts

I recently participated in another volunteering experience, supporting the Textile and Fiber Arts program at Carriage Hill MetroPark. This was my first time at this park, and I think it may be one of my favorite parks that I've visited in Dayton. This park has gorgeous landscapes, and I love how quiet it is.

For this opportunity, we mainly organized their room and cleared off some tables for events. This was a nice experience; for one, it's indoors, which is a welcome change of pace, especially given the recent weather, and the workers and volunteers were all cool people to talk to. They even started teaching me how to crochet; although I didn't really get the hang of it by the end of the opportunity, I did learn to tie a slipknot! Crocheting is definitely harder than I thought it would be.

You can support opportunities like this one just like I did with no textile experience. There are plenty of tasks for volunteers like me to lend a hand, and if you want to learn, this group will be happy to teach you!  Learn more about volunteering with the Textile & Fiber Arts group here.  Or view all the volunteer opportunities available at this park, Carriage Hill MetroPark, here.

Next up, my last opportunity for the summer will be supporting a workday at Hills & Dales MetroPark. Follow me on my next volunteering adventure right here in the volunteer blog.

 Tatum Buhiru is a student volunteer with Five Rivers MetroParks serving in partnership with Miami University's ULIP, Urban Leadership Institute Program. As part of their service, Tatum is trying out a variety of volunteer opportunities with us this summer and sharing those experiences here in our volunteer blog. Read more of Tatum's posts here.

Five Rivers MetroParks Volunteer Positions & Upcoming Opportunities 

We need YOU and all your friends to volunteer at this year's Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience! Learn more and sign up below. Plus, our last Service Saturday of the season, Make Difference Day opportunities are now available, and Barn Aide Training is coming up for new Riding Center volunteers. 

Plenty of outdoor opportunities are still available and your support is needed in our gardens and on the trails, as well as at our special events. Cool down from the heat with a frozen fruit popsicle from our Summer Care Campaign. 

These opportunities and more are featured below with even more opportunities available for you on Get Connected. Browse all of our opportunities here.

View our high-need, high-priority opportunities here. 

See something that interests you, but have questions? Contact a Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or call #937-275-7275. Looking for opportunities where we need the most help right now?  

Administration

Administrative volunteers work behind the scenes on a variety of short-term and long-term clerical projects to ensure that our frontline staff and volunteers have all they need to provide high-quality parks, programs, and services.

Historic treasures like this newspaper article help tell our story and preserve our history.

MetroParks Historical Research:
Uncover the history of Five Rivers MetroParks! Help us preserve the stories of Five Rivers MetroParks by becoming a Historical Research volunteer. We're building detailed timelines of each park's past to guide future storytelling and preservation efforts. Volunteers collect and organize historical records, visit archives like Wright State University or local libraries, use research tools to catalog findings, and maintain confidentiality of sensitive information. This flexible role can be done independently, with regular staff check-ins. Your work will bring our parks' history to life for the community and future generations. Sign up today and help ensure these stories are never forgotten.
Learn more and get started by clicking the blue VOLUNTEER 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

Staff Lead Megan Multunas and volunteer Paul Bullock work on getting stalls cleaned and ready for the horses to return.

Barn Aide In-Person Training: 

We're looking for dedicated volunteers to step into the role of Barn Aide! If you enjoy working around animals and want to deepen your involvement, this is a great opportunity. Care and maintenance of these majestic animals is a priority, and our volunteers make a true impact each day in the role of Barn Aide. Training is required, and upcoming fall dates are listed on Get Connected - please RSVP by clicking the green RSVP button below if you're interested, after completing the easy online training located here: https://metroparks.galaxydigital.com/training-library/animal-care-training-resources/carriage-hill-riding-center-volunteer-training-/. We'd love to have you on the team!

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 with DECA lend a hand in the Demonstration Garden at Possum Creek MetroPark.

Herbal Harvest at Possum Creek:

Spend a morning the in the Possum Creek Demonstration Garden helping us bring in the season's herbs. From snipping and drying to storing and labeling, each task plays a role in preparing plants for their next chapter. Whether you're an experienced gardener or just beginning to explore the world of herbs, our team will guide you through the process. The herbs you help gather will be used in upcoming wellness programs and even creative cyanotype (a sun-printing art process) projects, turning your work into something beautiful, useful, and inspiring for the community.
Click the blue VOLUNTEER button below to learn more and sign up to make a difference.




Wegerzyn Gardening Angels volunteers, Mary Dye, Connie Sink, and Patti Erbaugh, help weed in an area by the greenhouse.

Gardening Across our MetroParks:

As the summer days start to mellow and the air gets that perfect hint of crispness, it's the ideal time to give our beloved garden spaces a little extra love. With the temperatures becoming more comfortable, it's easier than ever to get your hands dirty, plant some late bloomers, and tidy up those beds for the season ahead. 

Our gardening projects are in full swing, and we'd love for you to join us in making the most of this beautiful time of year. Whether you're deadheading flowers, pulling weeds, or planting a few new perennials, there's no better way to enjoy the risp, end-of-summers days than by nurturing our green spaces.

Join us for gardening at these MetroParks: 
Aullwood Garden
Carriage Hill
Cox Arboretum
Possum Creek
RiverScape & Urban Parks
Wegerzyn Gardens
Click the blue VOLUNTEER button below to learn more about gardening with us and sign up to make a difference.

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.

Trail Workdays: Calling all Trail Lovers:

Do you love our trails? Here's your chance to give back to the paths that give us so much. Join our Trailblazers - our hands-on volunteer crew helping care for the trails at Twin Valley and Englewood MetroParks. 

These weekday opportunities are perfect for anyone with a flexible schedule who enjoys fresh air, getting their hands dirty, and making a visible impact. Whether you're new to trail work or a seasoned volunteer, your time and energy help keep these scenic spaces safe, beautiful, and ready for adventure.
So, lace up your boots, grab a tool, and help us blaze the way! Click the blue VOLUNTEER button below to learn more and sign up to make a difference on our trails. 



Volunteer Matt McCurry helps to clean the 2nd Street Market during his Market Custodial Support shift.

Market Custodial Support:

Love spending time at the 2nd Street Market? Want to give back to this awesome community hub? Well, do we have the perfect opportunity for you! We're on the lookout for some extra helping hands to tackle custodial tasks on weekend afternoons. Picture this: you'll be the superhero of cleanliness, keeping the market clean and tidy during operating hours, with some light sweeping, table tidying, and trash removal after closing. And the best part? You'll be doing it all indoors, so you can stay cool and comfortable while contributing to the community, making it a great option for those who want to give back but prefer to avoid the unpredictable late summer weather! 
Click the blue VOLUNTEER button below to learn more and sign up to make a difference.




Hills and Dales Workday are located at various starting points, and volunteer help us keep this community park looking it's best. 

Hills & Dales Workdays:

Are you a nature lover with a passion for making a difference? If so, we've got the perfect opportunity for you! It's time to roll up your sleeves and dive into the beauty of Hills & Dales with our upcoming volunteer workdays. Whether you're a seasoned green thumb or just curious to learn something new, this is your chance to dig in - literally! From gardening and tree planting to tackling invasive species and spreading mulch, there's a task for every skill level. And the best part? You'll be playing a vital role in preserving the natural beauty of this beloved community park for generations to come. 
View the opportunities available and sign up to support by clicking the blue VOLUNTEER button below.

Programming

Five Rivers MetroParks provides a wide variety of high-quality programs to help the public get outside and get connected to nature. Programming volunteers work alongside staff to provide support at programs year-round that help participants master new skills, learn about the natural world, and appreciate the value of open spaces.

The Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience: Try It Support

Fishing Village - We are in need of 12 volunteers to help us introduce and engage visitors at the event in fishing.  Help visitors learn and practice basic casting skills. Volunteers in this area need to have basic casting skills.

All volunteers serving at 2 or more shifts at the event will receive a free Get Out & Bike water bottle as a thank you!

View all the available programming opportunities for this event, learn more and sign up to lend a hand by clicking the blue VOLUNTEER button. 

Volunteer Chanie Corbitt gets the tea area ready for participants in the herbal program at Possum Creek.

Garden Program Support: 

Possum Creek MetroPark is excited to introduce engaging programs designed to inspire individuals to grow their own produce, deepen their understanding of plants, and find ways to contribute to the community. We are seeking passionate volunteers who enjoy demonstration gardens, gardening, and are eager to help others explore the incredible world of plants. While you don't need to be an expert to join us, any gardening experience or plant knowledge will certainly be beneficial!

As a volunteer, you will the rewarding opportunity of making our programs more accessible and welcoming to everyone. Your support will create a warm and safe environment where first-time learners can flourish and develop new skills. Connect to your community through plants in the garden!

Click the blue VOLUNTEER button below to learn more and sign up to make a difference.

Do you enjoy arts and crafts? Do you want to make a positive impact in your community while having a blast? If you've ever been curious about origami, or if you're an origami pro, we've got a fantastic opportunity for you! Join our origami owl prep sessions and help us prepare a number of these charming little owls as a giveaway at our upcoming Fall Family Adventure. Let's make this event memorable together!

Click the blue VOLUNTEER button to learn more and sign up to lend a hand.

Volunteer Kathleen Lange creates one of the cute Halloween caricatures chosen by the guest at the Fall Family Adventure.

Fall Family Adventure: Face Painting

Do artistic, creative, and cheerful describe you? Join us in creating some Fall magic at this year's Fall Family Adventure by volunteering to support face painting!

Face painting 

Click the blue VOLUNTEER button to learn more and sign up to make a difference. 

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.

Kettering College volunteers lend a hand in the Demonstration Garden at Possum Creek MetroPark!

Service Saturdays: Don't Miss the Final Service Saturday of the Season!

All summer long, volunteers have been rolling up their sleeves to restore habitats, beautify parks, and make a real difference for our community. Now, September brings your final chance to jump in.

Service Saturdays wrap up this month, so if you've been waiting to give it a try, now's the perfect time. No experience, orientation, or ongoing commitment needed. Just sign up, show up, and enjoy a morning outdoors making a positive impact.

Perfect for individuals, friend groups, or team outings

Led by MetroParks staff with tools and guidance provided

Support high priority conservation and park beautification projects

A great way to explore a park, learn something new and meet others who care

This is your last opportunity to be a part of Service Saturdays this year. Spots can go quickly, especially for groups, so be sure to grab yours by clicking the blue VOLUNTEER button below. 

Let's finish the season strong! See you out there!

Make A Difference Day:

Join us Saturday, October 26th from 9am-Noon for Make A Difference Day at Five Rivers MetroParks! Community members of all ages are invited to work at various sites through 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!

View available opportunities, learn more, and sign up by clicking the blue VOLUNTEER button below.

The Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience:

Be part of the Adventure - Volunteer at the Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience! The Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience returns to Eastwood MetroPark on October 4 & 5, and we need enthusiastic volunteers to help make this free, family-friendly, outdoor festival a success!

This popular event draws thousands of visitors eager to try paddling, climbing, cycling, and more. Volunteer keep the fun flowing - whether helping at activity areas, greeting guests, or supporting fellow volunteers. 

Opportunities are available for Event Set Up, Exhibitor Support, Hospitality, Info Central and Waivers, Action Sports, Try Paddlesports, and more! Plus, volunteers serving at 2 or more shifts will receive a free Get Out & Bike water bottle as a thank you!

View all the available event volunteer opportunities and sign up to have some fun while making a difference with your MetroParks this Fall by clicking the blue VOLUNTEER button below. And be sure to share with everyone you know!

Get Connected Tech Tip: Customize Your Communication Preferences - You're in Control!

Staff Lead Highlight: Shelby Shaw, Events Specialist - Connecting People to Nature, One Experience at a Time

Since joining Five Rivers MetroParks in 2022, Shelby Shaw has worn many hats! She started as lead at RiverScape's concessions stand, moved into a part-time Recreation Specialist role, then worked as a full-time Visitor Services Representative, before finally landing in her current role as Events Specialist on the Outdoor Recreation team which she's held since October of last year. Her journey has been shaped by a passion for connecting people with the outdoors and fostering community through shared experiences.

Originally from Utah, Shelby was drawn to Five Rivers MetroParks by our vibrant natural spaces. While working toward a degree in psychology with plans for a master's in social work, she discovered a career path that blended her love for the outdoors with her desire to work with the community. "I had no idea it was possible to have a job that allowed me to work with the community while also engaging in activities I enjoy during my free time," she says.

For Shelby, the most rewarding part of her role is facilitating first-time outdoor recreation experiences. "Just the other week, we took a group down the river rapids for the first time, and it was amazing to watch how their confidence grew," she recalls. She also treasures the communities that form around programs like Hiking for Older Adults and Heart-Healthy Trails. "it's rewarding to be part of a program that not only connects people to nature but also fosters a community of individuals who share similar interests and hobbies," she shares.

As a staff lead, Shelby is committed to ensuring volunteers feel comfortable, valued, and truly part of the team and the volunteers she works with have a tremendous impact on Shelby's work. She especially appreciates those who assist with event setup and teardown, whose dedication and teamwork make the process smoother and far more efficient for the entire staff. She also values the volunteers who help with waiver data entry, turning what could be a tedious task into an enjoyable, collaborative effort. And for programs like Hiking for Older Adults, she loves the energy and expertise volunteers bring, enriching the experience for everyone involved. "Volunteers are an invaluable resource," she says. "They help us complete projects in a timely manner and enhance the culture of our work environment by serving as a bridge between our agency and the general public."

Outside of work, Shelby has volunteered at The Humane Society, further proof of her commitment to serving her community. Her Leadership, gratitude, and passion for connecting people to nature make her a shining example of what MetroParks is all about. 

Come volunteer with Shelby and her teammates at one of our upcoming programs or by volunteering at our biggest event of the year, The Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience! Click the link to learn more and sign up .We promise you'll have fun, learn something new, and make a difference.

Thank you, Shelby, for all your support of volunteers and volunteerism with MetroParks. You truly are connecting people to nature one experience at a time!

Get to know more MetroParks staff through our monthly staff lead highlights here. 

Volunteer Appreciation

Thank you to all our incredible volunteers who helped make the Small Farm & Food Fest at Carriage Hill MetroPark a wonderful success! Each year this event gets bigger and better, and this year we saw over 4,000 people come and enjoy this annual event. Your hard work contributed significantly by guiding the community through hands-on activities and historical farm demonstrations. Your enthusiasm for teaching sustainable living, supporting our waste-free initiative, and offering wagon rides created a memorable experience for everyone. You played an integral role in helping our community attend speaker sessions, enjoy family games, and support local vendors.  Because of your generosity and energy, everyone who came to Carriage Hill gained valuable skills and left feeling inspired to incorporate sustainability into their lives. Thank you for sharing your time and passion with us and the community!

Special Event, Program Support, and Ambassador Volunteers: Janice Griffin, Heidi Riffle, Jodi Stitt, Ginny Wood, Leslie Forsman, Doreen Berkhimer, Carl Henderson, Tamilee and Henry Holbrook, Wesley and Elizabeth Johnson, Angela, Greco, Ed Eveland, Kaylee Ornduff, Bobbi Beyer, Jenny Andary, Peter Bertollini, Colleen Girard, Kathy Snodgrass, Kathleen Lange, Judy Niday, Samantha Loper-Brannon, Diane Pieratt, Laura Enzbrenner, Steven Solomon, Sanathan Pantula, Gary and Caroline Tempus, Robert and Brandon Thornton, Shanon Queen, Treva Pickenpaugh, Margaret Smith, Nancy Dyer, Judy Knight, Kara Ware, Jim Wellman, Jeanne Boke, Roslyn Prigg, Anders Sondergaard, Jamalee Stone, Ray Corder, John and Martie Szelog, Skylar Frary, Karen and Michael McCarty, Neil MacKay, Lisa Hayes, and Teri Schmidt.

Historic Interpreter and Skilled Trades Volunteers: Dan Miller, Marcia Jurcsisn, Amber Scalf, Charlie Wiltrout, Larry Lehman, Cherie Kuhn, Steve McNew, Art Powell, Maddie Mobarry, Ellen Eveland, James Fiene, Ken Kohrs, Frank Beitel, and Dan Richardson.

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.

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

Sam

Animal Care and animal Programming # (937) 274 - 4502

Jenny

Human Resources Manager of Volunteer Services

# (937) 567-1413

Return to the Volunteer Blog here.