Welcome. We are delighted you are interested in volunteering with us!
Volunteer opportunities
Participate in opportunities with Conservation, Recreation, and Cultural Heritage.
Volunteers with a valid background check and additional training can participate in public and classroom educational opportunities and the Park Ambassador program. These groups include Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalists and Master Gardeners.
Get Started…
- Read and sign the Volunteer Handbook. (Please save with a new name.)
- Read and sign the Covid-19 waiver. (Please save with a new name.)
- Email the handbook and waiver to jsands@ wcparks.org.
- Register: wcparks.galaxydigital.com
Watch this how-to video on using the Volunteer website.
Register for opportunities, respond to events, log your hours, and visualize your impact.
Volunteer Website
Types of Volunteer Opportunities
One-Time Opportunities: Help improve your parks and the environment by helping with an assortment of opportunities. No experience is needed; everyone is welcome to help.
Long Term: Adopt-A-Park, Adopt-A-Garden, and Adopt-A-Trail (portion of the Slippery Elm Trail) and more. Please call (419) 353-1897 for more information about these great opportunities.
Group: Groups may sign up for one-time opportunities. Stewardship volunteer programs can also be set up for Scouting Groups, Master Gardener service hours, or community groups. Please contact Eric Scott, Stewardship Coordinator, at escott@wcparks.org or (419) 661-5113 for more information.
For more information about our volunteer program, please call 419-353-1897.
Mission & Core Values
The mission of the Wood County Park District is to preserve, enhance,
and protect the natural and cultural resources of Wood County while
providing quality recreational and education opportunities for Wood County citizens.
The Wood County Park District is a natural resources conservation agency.
• We save natural spaces,
• We protect the environment,
• We enhance special community spaces,
• We restore natural habitats,
• We safeguard the public within our properties,
• We provide quality educational programming in outdoor recreation,
environmental sciences, and cultural heritage.
Volunteer Program focus
Recruitment
To provide a means through which the Park District can accept and utilize
volunteer services from the public.
Education and Training
To provide a training program that provides volunteers with the knowledge
and skills necessary to perform and excel at their volunteer tasks.
Growth
To augment the strengths and capabilities of Park District staff with trained
volunteers to expand current services and create new opportunities for
Wood County residents.
Click here for .pdf of the Wood County Park District Volunteer Mission & Values.
If a background check is required for your service click below:
Native Plant Program
Volunteer with our conservation efforts. Make a difference.
Adopt-a-Seed-Collecting-Bed
Adopt a seed collecting bed at the native plant nursery at J.C. Reuthinger Memorial Preserve. One garden bed with one genotype of native plant to care for is a much needed and greatly appreciated service.
Our native plant gardens need your help!
Sign-up to be part of a team of people who design, implement and care for the native plant gardens.
Staff will meet you in the spring to get you started. You choose the day and time to visit and tend to the garden. We will supply the plants and tools you need for a successful garden.
Log your hours and add them to this website.
Adopt-a-Garden Parks include:
- Beaver Creek Preserve
- Black Swamp Preserve
- Bradner Preserve
- Otsego Park
- William Henry Harrison Park
- W.W. Knight Nature Preserve
- Wood County History Museum
Specific Requirements:
Need all signups for various gardens by March 15th (initially to preserve garden)
One member from each group to contact Eric Scott (419) 575 7347 or email escott@ wcparks.org (Please note, there is a space in this email address that will need to be removed when copying and pasting.)
Meet in April about plans and plants.
Set up dates starting in May.
Expectations
- Minimum visit of once a week (solo) or twice a month as a group
- A group log so members know who visited and did what
- No weeds
- Water as needed (especially new plantings)
- Plans for plants and map of their locations
- Request materials as needed (three day notice)
- Notification of changes to group
- One spring cleanup and fall wrap up.
