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 East Tennessee landscapes to helping with special events or providing assistance at the Volunteer Information Desk, there are so 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 four main areas:
EDUCATION
Teach others about nature! Volunteers lead school group hikes, assist public programs, set up touch tables and information booths, and more. You don’t have to know every rock, tree, and bird. You just need to be enthusiastic and want to share your love of the outdoors with others.
NATURAL RESOURCES
Wrangle some weeds! With more than 315 acres to care for, Ijams needs folks who are ready to roll up their sleeves and get dirty! Trail volunteers maintain more than 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 East Tennessee. From the Wonder of Hummingbirds Festival and Ijams River Rescue to the nature center's largest fundraiser, Ijams' Symphony in the Park, volunteers assist in every aspect of Ijams events. Every month has opportunities to help with events, big and small.
BEHIND THE SCENES
Get in on the action! In every nonprofit organization, “behind the scenes” volunteers are the 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.
Upcoming Volunteer Events
Nov. 7 | Public Workday with the Natural Resource Team |9:30 am -12 pm
Help Ijams' Natural Resource Team!
Join the Natural Resource Team to uncover the foundation of an old homesite buried under layers of English Ivy. Sign Up to Volunteer
Nov. 21 | Ijams River Rescue |10 am - 1 pm
Keep our waterways clean! **Registration closes on Nov. 14**
Let's clean up this town during the 31st annual Ijams River Rescue presented by Home Federal Bank and TVA! Join Ijams and hundreds of other community-minded citizens for a fun and safe cleanup of East Tennessee's waterways! Sign Up to Volunteer
Nov. 28 | Weed Warriors | 9:30 am -12 pm
See what it means to be a Weed Warrior!
Volunteers will continue corridor improvement along Imery's Trail to remove the invasive species that are impeding line of sight along this trail. A short training will be given at the beginning; all equipment will be provided. Sign Up to Volunteer
Dec. 5 | Trail Maintenance Day | 9:30 am -12 pm
Help maintain Ijams' trails!
Volunteers will be hiking along Tharp's Trace Trail replacing, resetting, and cleaning out water bars along this trail to reduce trail erosion. Sign Up to Volunteer
QUESTIONS ABOUT VOLUNTEERING?
Please email Ijams' Volunteer Coordinator, Madelyn Collins, for more information at mcollins@ijams.org.
Looking for Online Volunteer Orientation? (Please do not take the orientation quiz unless you've been in contact with Madelyn, 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 at Ijams, please contact Madelyn Collins at mcollins@ijams.org.