Are you looking for a volunteer opportunity to give back to Five Rivers MetroParks through Gardening? Would you like to be a part of building a space that connects families and youth to the enjoyment and benefits of what a garden has to offer? Join the knowledgeable education team in Skeeters' Garden, assisting with weekly garden tasks that create a space where visitors and families can discover, experience, and love our world through gardening. You do not need to be an expert for this opportunity, but gardening and plant knowledge are always a plus.
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. Volunteers help the staff create educational spaces for families to learn and grow strong plants at home. Thanks to volunteer support, these spaces are making it easy for families to see an example of what can be done at home.
Tasks
Under the supervision of the Staff Lead, volunteers will assist with the following:
- Gathering supplies needed for a general garden clean-up.
- Volunteers will assist with simple tasks, working with the staff lead, to weed unwanted plants, plant additional plants, groom plants for best display, and harvest any ready items.
- Welcome and greet visitors, and provide wayfinding if needed.
- Engaging visitors in moments of discovery in the garden.
- Share gardening best practices and how-tos with visitors to Skeeter's garden.
- Getting materials to the compost area.
- Preparing materials for upcoming programs in the garden.
Eligibility
This opportunity is open to individual Short-term and Long-Term volunteers, ages 18 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.
- This opportunity is available for OSUE Master Gardener service hours.
Additional Notes
- Parking & Meeting Instructions: Click here for a map of Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark. Volunteers should arrive early to allow for parking, check-in, and meeting with the staff lead. Staff leads will orient volunteers to the day's agenda and other important information.
- Cancellation: If you need to cancel a shift at the last minute or are running late, please contact your Staff Lead at the provided number.
- Environment & Physical Demands: This program takes place outdoors. Volunteers may participate in some bending, kneeling, reaching, and lifting objects to 10 lbs or more. Volunteers may be standing or walking for the majority of their shift. Please be aware of outdoor exposure risks (i.e., sun, poison ivy, insects, etc.), and seasonal allergies (i.e., grass, pollen, bees, etc.)
- Dress: Volunteers should dress for the weather and wear their MetroParks name badge and apparel.
Learn more about Programming 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.
Want to Branch Out? Exploring multiple opportunities is a great way to 
stay involved, build new skills, and experience different parts of the parks! Consider this/these opportunities:
