Would you like to be a part of preserving a sustainable and natural habitat around the Stillwater River in the Miami Valley? A partnership between Five Rivers MetroParks, Aullwood Audubon Farm and Center, and the Garden Club of Dayton, this project preserves John and Marie Aull’s vision to unite local conservation efforts. This activity is a collaborative, annual event in April supporting Ohio Native Plant Month.
Impact
To preserve the diversity of habitats, parklands are carefully managed to preserve and protect native plant and wildlife communities of the Miami Valley. Non-native, invasive species compete with or eliminate native plant species and can be controlled by pulling, cutting, and removing them from the area. Volunteer support helps to expand our efforts in protecting our region's natural heritage.
Tasks
Under the supervision of the Staff Lead, volunteers will support and assist with the following tasks:
- Working alongside Aullwood Audubon and Aullwood Garden staff to identify and remove invasive plants in wooded areas. Volunteers will assist with digging and cutting back invasives and help place them in a specified location for pickup later by MetroParks staff.
Eligibility
This opportunity is open to teens and adults (ages 14 and older), Long-Term, Short-Term, and Public volunteers.
Additional Notes:
- Parking & Meeting Instructions: Click here for a map of Aullwood Gardens MetroPark. Volunteers will park at the Wiles Parking Lot (955 Aullwood Rd., Dayton, OH 45414), and walk up to the Historic home of John and Marie to meet up with the volunteer leads. Look for 'volunteer event' signage.
- Cancelation: If you need to cancel a shift at the last minute or are running late, please call the staff lead, Beth Langford, at 937-718-5658.
- Environment & Physical Demands: Please be aware of outdoor exposure risks (e.g., sun, poison ivy, insects, etc.) and seasonal allergies (i.e., grass, pollen, bees, etc.). Volunteers can expect to participate in bending, kneeling, reaching, and lifting objects weighing 15 lbs or more. The worksite requires a 10-minute walk over uneven terrain, which may include downed branches, thorns, poison ivy, and occasional marshy areas. A variety of hand tools will be used, including soil knives, spades, pruners, loppers, and shovels.
- Dress: Volunteers should dress for the weather, wear long pants, a long-sleeve shirt, and muck boots/waterproof boots, and have their favorite work gloves, water bottle, sunscreen, and bug spray.
- Special Note: If you sign up for both the morning and afternoon shifts, we invite you to bring a lunch and enjoy your meal alongside the staff. If you're volunteering for the afternoon shift, you're welcome to arrive early at noon to enjoy your lunch with the staff before your shift begins.
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.
