Volunteer

Volunteer

We Have a Place For You

Pitching in at Great Parks will lead to fun, rewarding and unforgettable experiences!

Great Parks is very fortunate to have the support of many corporate, school, scout, family, community and individual volunteers. 

The outstanding programs and services we can provide, and the thousands of acres of wildlife habitat we are able to protect, would not be possible without the help of volunteers. 

We offer 2 to 3-hour projects, long-term ongoing roles and everything in between!

a man and child picking up trash
a group of people at a table with food items
a group of people in green shirts

Lend a Hand

Volunteer Opportunities

Tree Planting Maintenance image calendar_add_on

Tree Planting Maintenance

  • calendar_today Wednesday, May 13
  • watch 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
  • pin_drop Miami Whitewater Forest
Register
Garlic Mustard Pull image calendar_add_on

Garlic Mustard Pull

  • calendar_today Wednesday, May 13
  • watch 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM
  • pin_drop Shawnee Lookout
Register
Volunteer Information Session image calendar_add_on

Volunteer Information Session

  • calendar_today Thursday, May 14
  • watch 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
  • pin_drop Winton Woods
Register
Landscape Bed Maintenance image calendar_add_on

Landscape Bed Maintenance

  • calendar_today Sunday, May 17
  • watch 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
  • pin_drop Little Miami Golf Center
Register
Painting image calendar_add_on

Painting

  • calendar_today Tuesday, May 19
  • watch 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
  • pin_drop Woodland Mound
Register
Painting image calendar_add_on

Painting

  • calendar_today Wednesday, May 20
  • watch 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
  • pin_drop Sharon Woods
Register
Litter Cleanup image calendar_add_on

Litter Cleanup

  • calendar_today Thursday, May 21
  • watch 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
  • pin_drop Glenwood Gardens
Register
Volunteer Information Session image calendar_add_on

Volunteer Information Session

  • calendar_today Saturday, May 30
  • watch 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM
  • pin_drop Sharon Woods
Register
Volunteer Information Sessions image calendar_add_on

Volunteer Information Sessions

  • calendar_today Saturday, June 27
  • watch 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM
  • pin_drop Sharon Woods
Register

Long-Term, Group & Youth Leadership Volunteering

Long-Term Volunteering

Great Parks offers diverse service opportunities for teens (ages 14-17) and adults to develop conservation and educational skills, make a difference in their community and build lifelong friendships! From environmental education to golf course care, whatever your passions might be, you can find your home at Great Parks! 

From environmental education to golf course care, whatever your passions might be, you can find your home at Great Parks. Register for a volunteer information session to learn more

Find an Information Session

Group Volunteer Projects

Bring your corporate, school or community groups to Great Parks for an energizing, highly visible service project. Participants will build leadership skills and teamwork while having fun and making a positive difference in the community. Hands-on projects might include planting trees, landscaping, trail work, removing invasive plants or cleaning lake and riverbanks. Great for groups of 10 or more. 

Apply to Volunteer

Youth Leadership Projects

Great Parks proudly supports Eagle Scout, Gold Award and senior capstone assignments. Although applicants may be matched with existing projects, we ask they tell us about their passions and creative project ideas. 

Apply to Volunteer

Volunteering FAQs

Long-term volunteers, community project volunteers and group volunteers will contribute to various projects depending on park needs and the season. These projects could include removing invasive species, building and maintaining trails, planting trees and shrubs, cleaning up litter, painting and landscaping.

In addition to the above, long-term volunteers will be provided with the training to support educational interpreter programs and events, visitor centers, golf courses, animal care and more.

  • Any and all volunteers!
    • Hands-on training with Great Parks team members.
    • Learn new skills and build your resume.
    • Connect with like-minded people and make a positive difference in the environment and your community.
  • Long-Term Volunteers
    • Up to two Motor Vehicle Permits annually.
    • Monthly volunteer newsletter.
    • Great Parks volunteer shirts and hats.
    • Monthly volunteer meetings and team updates featuring special guest speakers.
    • Invitation to the annual Volunteer Recognition Celebration.
  • Group Volunteers
    • Free shelter rental to use before, during and after your project.

A project-specific list of what to wear and bring will be communicated to you after you register for a volunteer opportunity. Closed-toe shoes and long pants are typically required.

Great Parks will provide long-term volunteers with branded volunteer shirts and hats.

Long-term volunteers will have access to a volunteer management system to log their own hours. Group volunteer and community volunteer hours will be recorded by Great Parks team members. This data helps us tell our community partners and potential funders about who we are and what we do.

  1. Sign up for and attend an information session! Information sessions take place March-October.
  2. Submit your application.
  3. Successfully pass a background check (adults only). Great Parks covers associated costs.
  4. Complete online training modules to learn more about Great Parks’ history, available volunteer opportunities, engagement training and more.
  5. Meet with the Volunteer Engagement Team to receive your uniform and Motor Vehicle Permit, review our volunteer management system and discuss your volunteer interests. 
  6. Start volunteering, making a difference and having fun!

If you have a group of 10 or more, please apply for a group project. We will then match you with a park location and project that best suits your team and park needs. 

Group projects fill up quickly! Please submit your application at least 8 weeks prior to your desired project date. 

Please share your potential project idea by submitting an application. All project ideas are welcome! However, some project submissions may need to be altered or changed to align with park needs.

Please log your long-term volunteer hours through your MIP. 

Connect with the Volunteer Engagement Team

Learn more about volunteering with Great Parks

Email Volunteer Engagement
two men digging in the ground
a group of people posing for a photo
a group of girls standing in a forest
a group of women working in a garden
a group of people painting a picnic table
a group of people posing for a photo
chevron_left
chevron_right