Opportunities From: Five Rivers MetroParks

Do you enjoy gardening in a variety of settings? Would you like to discover gardening design ideas and unique plants for the home landscape? Make an impact by helping staff in the Federal, English, Victorian, and Woodland Gardens, among other great horticulture features at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark.

Impact

Horticulture at Five Rivers MetroParks creates, maintains, and preserves green space and habitats for pollinators and native plants, as well as educates visitors on sustainable gardening practices and local food production.  Gardening volunteers support the Horticulture and Outdoor Connections staff in a variety of gardening tasks. 

Tasks

Under the supervision of the Staff Lead, support and assist with the following tasks:

general garden maintenance, including weeding, mulching, invasive species removal, or other small projects identified by the Wegerzyn Gardens team.

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to the following volunteers: Public Service, Long-Term, Short-Term, Youth and Families. Learn more about our types of service here. Background Check: We do not require a background check for our public volunteer opportunities; however, persons with a criminal record may be disqualified and prohibited from service. Please review our background check policy here. For those required to complete Court Appointed Community Service, please click here.Family Volunteers: This opportunity is family-friendly. Families with youth volunteers under the age of 14 are welcome to volunteer. The family must include one parent or guardian per 3 children who engage in service and assume supervisory responsibility for the children during volunteer service.

Additional Notes:

Parking & Meeting Instructions: Click here for a map of Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark. Volunteers should park in the Wegerzyn Gardens parking lot (1301 E. Siebenthaler Ave., Dayton, OH 45414) and meet staff at the front entrance of the building.  Cancelation: If you need to cancel a shift at the last minute or are running late, please contact the staff lead, Payton Johnson, at (513) 292- 8303. Environment & Physical Demands: This project takes place outdoors - Please be aware of outdoor exposure risks (i.e., sun, poison ivy, insects, etc.). Volunteers should be aware of seasonal allergies (i.e., grass, pollen, bees, etc.), and can expect to participate in routinely bending, kneeling, reaching, and lifting objects of 15 lbs or more, etc. Dress: Volunteers should dress for the weather, wear long pants and closed-toe shoes, and have their favorite work gloves, water bottle, sunscreen, and bug spray. ​

​ Learn more about Garden opportunities with us on the Volunteer Position page! Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275 or join us at a Volunteer Open House. 

Join us as we introduce our wildlife animal ambassadors to youth and families at the Abundant Life Summer Program. Wildlife Ambassador volunteers are needed to help handle and present the animals at the wildlife ambassador booth including the turtles, snakes, owl, and hawk.

In this shadow experience, staff will work with you to show you how to confidently handle and interpret the animals to the public.

Five Rivers MetroParks Wildlife Ambassador volunteers assist with animal care and animal programming, sharing our conservation message with community members of all ages at a variety of programs, events, and outreach opportunities year-round.

Impact

Volunteers like YOU can share our conservation mission and the importance of healthy habitat for animals like them and people like us to a variety of audiences throughout our community.

Tasks

Assist staff in set-up and clean-up of wildlife ambassador booth space.With the help of your staff lead you will:Welcome guests to the booth, introduce yourself and the wildlife ambassadorsProvide excellent customer service to the public when approached with questions. Review talking points regarding the wildlife ambassadors in the Wildlife Ambassador Manual.Follow all safety procedures and ensure the safety of all participants. Alert staff when and if any issues arise.

Eligibility

This is an opportunity for individual Long-Term volunteers who are qualified Wildlife Ambassador Animal Care volunteers.

GET STARTED: This opportunity requires Volunteer Onboarding (Profile, Volunteer Handbook Signature, and for those 18 and up an eligible background check), plus Wildlife Ambassador Volunteer Training.  Simply click the blue RESPOND button to begin completing your qualifications or click here to learn more about becoming a volunteer.

Additional Notes

Parking & Meeting Instructions: Arrive at the Abundant Life Summer Program located at 4769 Free Pike Rd, Dayton OH, 45416 and meet your staff lead to help unload in the parking lot.Dress: Please wear you volunteer name badge and volunteer apparel. Environment & Physical Demands: This program takes place indoors. Volunteers can expect bending, kneeling, reaching, and lifting objects 10 lbs. or more, and standing for long periods.If you would like to request a service accommodation in order to volunteer at this opportunity, please contact Volunteer Services at least 1 week before the scheduled opportunity. 

Learn more about Programming with us on the Volunteer Position page! Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275 or join us at a Volunteer Open House.