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 simply would not be Ijams without the hundreds of volunteers who contribute their time and talents to this nonprofit nature center. If you're looking to be a habitual volunteer at Ijams, volunteer opportunities are broken into three main areas:
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.
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 Wonder of Hummingbirds Festival and Ijams River Rescue to the nature center's largest fundraiser, Twilight at Ijams, volunteers assist in every aspect of Ijams 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!
OPEN VOLUNTEER POSITIONS
Natural Resource Management
Solo Picker
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Volunteers pick up litter with gear provided from the Visitor Center.
Lead Pickers
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Volunteers take charge and help scout, lead, and plan public cleanups.
Trail Maintenance Volunteer
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Volunteers help maintain Ijams' trails.
Trail Scout Volunteer
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Volunteers monitor the condition of trails and other spaces and help provide directions to visitors.
Behind the Scenes
Guest Services Volunteer
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Volunteers are stationed outside the Visitor Center or in the front lobby to help visitors.
Upcoming Public Volunteer Events
WEED WARRIOR WORKDAY AT UNIVERSAL POND
Sat., MAY 21 | 9:30 AM-12 pm
Parrot-feather is an aquatic plant that was commonly sold for aquaria and aquatic gardens, it has escaped becoming invasive in ponds and other calm water bodies, such as the Universal Pond. Help the Ijams Natural Resource team remove parrot-feather plan from Universal Pond at this volunteer workday! Learn More and Register
VOLUNTEER TRAIL WORKDAY ON THARP TRACE
Saturday, May 28 | 9:30 am-12 pm
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Meet the Ijams Natural Resource Management team at Mead's Quarry Adventure Camp by 9:30 am and then hike to Tharp Trace to continue work on a new section of trail. Learn More and Register
VOLUNTEER WORKDAY ON THARP TRACE
Saturday, June 4 | 9:30 am-12 pm
Meet the Ijams Natural Resource team at Mead's Quarry Adventure Camp by 9:30 am and then hike to Tharp Trace Trail to remove nonnative, invasive, woody plants from the trail's corridor. Learn More and Register
VOLUNTEER TRAIL WORKDAY ON THARP TRACE
Saturday, June 25 | 9:30 am-12 pm
Meet the Ijams Natural Resource Management team at Mead's Quarry Adventure Camp by 9:30 am and then hike to Tharp Trace to continue work on a new section of trail. Learn More and Register
Get Involved!
QUESTIONS ABOUT VOLUNTEERING?
Please email Volunteer Coordinator Sammy Shorey for more information at sshorey@ijams.org.
Looking for Online Volunteer Orientation? (Please do not take the orientation quiz unless you've been in contact with Sammy, but feel free to read.) Download Slides
Can you think of other creative uses for your talents? Let Ijams put your skills to work to make the world a better place!
To learn more about volunteering, please contact Sammy Shorey at sshorey@ijams.org.