Volunteer
Looking for a fun way to give back and make a difference? Join Ijams' team of dedicated volunteers! From removing invasive species and restoring native landscapes to helping with special events or assisting visitors, there are many ways to get involved at Ijams!
Volunteer Opportunities
Ijams would not be Ijams without the hundreds of volunteers who contribute their time and talents to this nonprofit nature center. "Occasional" volunteers may just come once, while "Regular" volunteers make Ijams a serious habit, volunteering 20 hours or more per year! All volunteers are issued a free, daily parking pass or annual pass, dependant on their length of service.
Volunteer opportunities are broken into four main areas:
LITTER PICKUP
If you love nature and hate trash, you can help with litter pickup anytime during the Visitor Center's regular business hours. Ijams has seven parking lots and 12+ miles of trails. Just check in at the front desk, and the staff will supply you with tools and help you choose a location. when you finish, just return your supplies to the front desk and check out. As a volunteer, you'll be issued a free day parking pass and can stay as long as you like. *Currently Ijams Nature Center is not accepting walk-in volunteers for litter pickup. Please check out other volunteer opportunities above and below!*
NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Wrangle weeds! With more than 318 acres to care for, Ijams needs folks who are ready to roll up their sleeves and get dirty! Trail volunteers help maintain 12+ miles of trails throughout the grounds by mulching, weeding, and removing invasive species. View Upcoming Events
SPECIAL EVENTS
Host a great party! Volunteers are essential in helping Ijams with some of the biggest and best events in the region. From the Hummingbird Festival: A Celebration of Wings and the Ijams River Rescue to the nature center's largest fundraiser, Twilight at Ijams, volunteers assist in every aspect of Ijams events. View Upcoming Events
BEHIND THE SCENES
Get in on the action! In every nonprofit organization, “behind the scenes” volunteers are unsung heroes. They answer phones, help visitors navigate the trails, assist with office work, take care of the bird feeders, and generally keep the place running smoothly!
Want to Volunteer?
To get started, please fill out this simple online survey. Once you have completed the survey, someone (maybe a volunteer!) will contact you about open volunteer positions.
If you have any questions, email bcox@ijams.org.
If you're interested in becoming a "Regular" Volunteer, here are some helpful resources:
Looking for Online Volunteer Orientation? Download Slides
