Nature Center Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers support all five of Cleveland Metroparks Nature and Visitor Centers in a wide variety of assignments.
Welcome Desk
Welcome Desk Volunteers are the initial contact persons for Nature Center guests. The volunteer represents and upholds the professional image of Cleveland Metroparks when greeting guests, answering telephones, taking messages, routing calls to staff voicemail, answering questions, and working with the staff. Training and updates are provided. This position offers the volunteer an opportunity to learn and share natural history information, and provides much public contact.
- Greet guests, answer questions, dispense information and/or seek staff to assist guests
- Answer the telephone
- Take messages and route them to the appropriate persons
- Record the number of people using the nature center and the number of people attending programs
- Use the Cleveland Metroparks website to assist guests with questions
- Be familiar with brochures and hand-outs available at the Welcome Desk
- Be familiar with the trail maps and be able to point out special Reservation features
- Work cooperatively with staff and other volunteers
- Understand and implement emergency procedures as necessary
- Carry out duties in a safe working environment; notify staff if unsafe conditions exist
- Participate in periodic Welcome Desk training refreshers
Program Assistant
Program Assistants have the opportunity to participate in a variety of interesting public programs during all seasons, both indoors and outdoors. Volunteers may provide support before, during and after the program. Depending on the type of program you choose to assist with, you may be responsible for any of the following:
- Greet guests and help to assist and direct
- Check in participants as they arrive
- Assemble and/or carry materials to and from the program site and help distribute
- Help demonstrate a skill or craft
- Be the “caboose” on a hike
- Keep an eye out for children who need extra assistance, and provide it
- Be aware of public safety concerns and emergency procedures
Gardening & Restoration
Gardening & Restoration Volunteers assist with native and non-native plants surrounding the Nature Center. This position offers the opportunity to work outdoors and learn plant identification. This assignment may include assisting with native gardens, wildlife food gardens, rain gardens, pollinator gardens, and spring/summer wildflower gardens. It may also include pulling non-native species. Volunteers tend the gardens by watering, weeding, planting, transplanting and labeling the plants.
Animal Care
The Animal Care assignment offers support to staff naturalists by assisting with routine animal care, additional animal handling, and interpretation as needed. The assistant works independently, but will keep staff informed about the animals’ activities during the day. This position offers the opportunity to work with rehabilitated non-releasable wildlife and to develop skills in interpretation.
- Clean aquaria, clean and refill water dishes, and feeding
- Cleaning, monitoring, repairing filters on aquaria
- Logging amount of food eaten
- Handling animals
- Be knowledgeable about each animal’s background and of wild species behavior
- Noting any unusual behavior and/or condition, and reporting it to the naturalists
Special Events
Special Event volunteers have the opportunity to participate in a variety of interesting events and festivals. Duties may include manning a welcome tent, setting up tables and chairs, and working many of the stations the event may offer. Tasks specific to each event will be assigned by the naturalist in charge.