Volunteer Positions & Upcoming Opportunities We're getting summer started early at RiverScape - join us for all the FUN at a variety of programs and events, and of course, volunteer opportunities downtown this season! Plus, Service Saturdays are back! Join us in the parks every third Saturday morning to make an impact! View our upcoming volunteer opportunities and trainings available this month below. 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?  View our high-need, high-priority opportunities here. Don't forget to Become a FAN of the Volunteer Positions you love to support. When you FAN a volunteer position you will receive a weekly digest email for that position that including new volunteer opportunities. It also lets your Volunteer Services team know that you are interested in that position and its opportunities.
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Summer Music Series Ambassador
Looking for a fun, evening volunteer opportunity? This is it! The Summer Music Series is returning to RiverScape MetroPark and we need YOU to help us greet and welcome visitors, answer questions, and share information about our wonderful MetroParks. No prior training is required. We are looking for enthusiastic MetroParks fans with a strong customer service orientation to share their love of MetroParks with a variety of guests ensuring everyone has a positive experience.
Does this sound like you? Learn more and sign up by clicking the blue VOLUNTEER button below.
View all the opportunities available at RiverScape MetroPark here.
Volunteer Ralph O'Quinn prepares for visitors at the 2nd Street Market. 2nd Street Market AmbassadorDo you love spending your weekend in the vibrant, bubbly atmosphere of the 2nd Street Market where you always end up running into a familiar face? Spend your time at the Market while giving back as a 2nd Street Market Ambassador. These volunteers roll out the welcome for Market visitors, help with wayfinding, answer MetroParks and Market questions, assist with merchandise and EBT sales, and more! Opportunities are available to support on evenings and weekends. Training is required. Learn more and sign up by clicking the blue VOLUNTEER button below.
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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.
Volunteers Rex Miller, Mike Shade, and Ellenmarie Wahlrab review cover mapping areas and protocols with staff lead - Ben Crusoe.
Cover Mapping
Adventure with Impact: Cover Mapping Training on May 15th!
Love hiking, noticing the little things in nature, and want to put your plant ID skills to good use? Join us for our Cover Mapping Training on Thursday, May 15th from 9am to noon at Twin Creek MetroPark!
Cover Mapping is your chance to explore scenic trails, team up with fellow nature enthusiasts, and contribute to a long-running conservation effort that helps MetroParks make informed land management decisions. As a volunteer, you'll learn to identify and map 13 invasive plant species outlined in a new protocol - so if you have some experience with plant or tree identification, we'd love to have you join the crew!
It's a mix of science, exploration, and purpose - and it all starts with this hands-on training session. Once trained, you'll have the chance to join weekday Cover Mapping outings throughout the season. Spots are limited, so don't wait - RSVP today and help us protect the region's natural heritage, one plant at a time.
Click the green RSVP button below to learn more and submit your RSVP for this training.
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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.
RiverScape staff and volunteers take a moment to appreciate their hard work in keeping our downtown MetroPark beautiful. Join us in the Garden this Season!
Five Rivers MetroParks needs YOUR help maintaining our beautiful gardens this season. No experience or gardening skills are necessary. Our expert staff will guide you through completing routine garden maintenance tasks, growing your love for MetroParks and your gardening skills at each gardening shift.
Learn more and sign up by clicking the blue VOLUNTEER button below.
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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.
Service Saturdays
Serve, Connect, Repeat: Join us for Service Saturdays! Looking for a simple way to give back, get outside, and make a difference? Service Saturdays are calling your name!
Happening every third Saturday of the month from May - September, these public volunteer days are the perfect opportunity to lend a hand - no experience, orientation, or ongoing commitment required. Just sign up, show up, dig in, and enjoy the satisfaction of doing something good.
Service Saturdays are:
- Perfect for individuals, families, friend groups, or team outings.
- Led by MetroParks staff - tools and guidance provided.
- Support high-priority conservation and park. beautification projects.
- Enjoy a morning outdoors making a real impact.
Whether you're growing your impact one Saturday at a time or just popping in for a single shift, we'd love to have you plant yourself in the action. Plus, it's a great way to explore a new park, learn a new skill, and meet others who care about protecting our natural spaces.
Ready to roll up your sleeves? Check out the upcoming dates and sign up for a project near you. Spots fill fast - especially for group-friendly opportunities - so be sure to grab yours soon! Explore all the available opportunities and sign up today by clicking the blue volunteer button below.
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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. 
Volunteer Anthony Starr with Staff Lead Betty Hoevel ready to welcome the public to a program in the Children's Discovery Garden at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark. Program SupportReady to have some fun, learn something new, and give back all while experiencing our beautiful parks?! Join us as a routine program support volunteer! MetroParks offers hundreds of high-quality public programs all year long, and there is a high need for volunteers who can pitch in with routine program tasks like set up, tear down, participant check-in, supply distribution and collection, and general participant assistance. No prior experience or training is required. This is a great way to experience our programs and our parks while making a difference. Learn more and sign up to lend a helping hand at a program or two by clicking the blue VOLUNTEER button below.
Volunteers Kathy Williams and Becky Goerling help participants get the hang of casting for fly fishing and have some fun before trying it in the water.
Fishing Program Support
It's o'fishally fishing season! Join us by the water for the season's best fishing programs and lend a helping hand to help participants experience the joy of the first catch in our safe, fun, family-friendly programs. You do not have to have any fishing skills to provide program support. There are plenty of routine program support tasks that need your support including program set up and tear down, participant check in, and supply distribution and collection. If you have fishing skills, we'll put you to work helping to reinforce the program educational content, helping participants master fishing skills. Learn more and sign up to lend a hand at an upcoming fishing program by clicking the blue VOLUNTEER button below.
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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 Blacksmiths and Woodworkers
Skilled Trades Volunteer Needed at the Historic Farm! No experience needed. We will train YOU! Picture yourself stepping back in time on the picturesque farm at Carriage Hill MetroPark... As a volunteer Historic Blacksmith or Woodworker, you'll delight visitors of all ages with stories of the old days and the history of the Arnold family who built a life on the farm while demonstrating historic craftwork. We'll show you how. All that is required is a willingness to commit to ongoing regular service of 25 hours or more per year, a willingness to complete a virtual and in-person training, and a willingness to be fitted and wear appropriate historic dress during service.
Learn more about each of these exciting opportunities and start training today by clicking the blue VOLUNTEER button below. Look for the Historic Woodworker and/or the Historic Blacksmith opportunity on our Skilled Trades position page!
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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. 
Volunteer Ginny Wood supports a nature-based activity booth at last year's Passport to MetroParks event, helping visitors find new ways to connect with nature. Passport to MetroParksFive Rivers MetroParks staff are excited to host this year's Passport to MetroParks on Friday, May 30th at RiverScape MetroPark! This event aims to share all the good stuff MetroParks has to offer highlighting spectacular events, fun, family-friendly programs, and our outstanding facilities to the public. Volunteers are needed to help with event set up and tear down, providing support at the various educational and activity booths, to serve as ambassadors, support sustainability efforts, and more. Learn more and find the right opportunity for you to support this great event by clicking the blue VOLUNTEER button below. Thank you for your support!
RiverScape Beer & Wine Sales and SupportThe RiverScape Cafe provides beer and wine sales at RiverScape programs and events throughout the summer. Volunteers ages 21 and older are needed to help pour and serve beer and wine inside the Rentals Office during these programs and events. Proceeds from beer and wine sales support our mission of protecting the region's natural heritage and providing outdoor experiences that inspire a personal connection with nature. Training is required to qualify to serve at this opportunity. Learn more and get started by clicking the blue VOLUNTEER button below.
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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. Your Volunteer Services Team (from left to right)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 
Return to the Volunteer Blog here.
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