Welcome to the Propagation Operation, or PropOps for short. Our goal is to propagate native plants to be used for restoration and conservation projects throughout the district. In addition to trees and shrubs, volunteers will be growing herbaceous plants as well at the Barbara Cox Center for Sustainable Horticulture at Cox Arboretum MetroPark.
Impact
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.
Tasks
- Remove weedy plants from all potted trees/shrubs in the outside holding area.
- If all other tasks are completed, work on weeding in the cold frames, as well.
- Measure out and apply slow-release fertilizer to each individual tree/shrub pot.
- Cull dead trees/shrubs; inventory remainder.
- If time allows, sort rows to bring tallest/healthiest individuals to the front.
Eligibility
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This opportunity is open to individual, long-term, short term volunteers, ages 14 and up.
- GET STARTED: This opportunity requires Volunteer Onboarding (Profile, Volunteer Handbook Signature, and for those 18 and up an eligible background check). Simply click the blue RESPOND button to begin completing the required qualifications or click here to learn more about becoming a volunteer.
Additional Notes
- Parking & Meeting Instructions: Click here for a map of Cox Arboretum. Volunteers should park in the main lot in front of the visitor center at 6733 N Springboro Pike, Dayton, Ohio (Cox Arboretum MetroPark). Follow the paved path to the left of the Visitor Center, leading you around and behind the visitor center, where a staff person will be waiting for you inside or near the greenhouse.
- Cancelation: If you need to cancel a shift last minute or are running late, please call staff lead Sarah Browning at 937-489-0428.
- Environment & Physical Demands: This project takes place primarily indoors, inside the greenhouse. However, if the weather is nice or if the project demands, staff may open greenhouse bay doors and ask volunteers to support both indoor and outdoor tasks. Please be aware of outdoor exposure risks (i.e., sun, etc.), and of seasonal allergies (i.e., grass, pollen, bees, etc.).
- Dress: Volunteers should dress for the weather, dress in layers, wear long pants, and closed-toe shoes (sneakers/tennis shoes), and have their favorite work gloves and a pre-filled water bottle.
Learn more about Conservation 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.
