Trails, Ivy and Restoration
Volunteers commit thousands of hours to removing invasive weeds, graveling trails, and keeping Tryon Creek safe, healthy and beautiful. The following is a list of all of the opportunities to get involved outdoors in the park IVY REMOVAL: Roll up your sleeves, and help us pull English ivy. Ivy is an invasive weed that overtakes and kills native plants. We have drop-in Ivy Removal work parties at least once a month, and sometimes more. We also schedule ivy pull opportunities for individuals and groups on the weekends and during the week. This...
read moreEveryday Support
From a comfortable chair in the Nature Center, keep Tryon Creek going. NATURE CENTER HOST: Greet visitors at the Front Desk, answer questions about the park, forward phone calls, and sell Nature Store merchandise. While you’re waiting, help staff complete small projects or enter data. Four-hour morning and afternoon shifts available. Commitment: eight or more hours per month. DATA ENTRY: If you’re very comfortable with computers, careful and organized, we often need help with data entry. Membership, summer camp, and other programs...
read moreEducational Support
Teach adults and children about the outdoors! FIELD TRIP – NATURE GUIDES: Work with education staff to lead K-12 field trips in the park. Almost every weekday in fall and spring, we offer two-hour programs to schools across the Metro area. Nature Guides lead a group of ten or fewer children on a guided hike to teach basic concepts in sciene and ecology. We offer in-depth nature guide training twice a year to introduce our curriculum and offer guideance on teaching. Nature Guides benefit from ongoing learning opportunities, including...
read moreAssistant Counselor
If you’re in high school or starting your first year of college, join us in the summer to help with Nature Day Camp. Assistant counselors may also help with winter and spring camps. Work with staff to lead hikes, craft projects, songs and storytelling. We offer camps to children from preschool age through middle school, and camps vary in length from half-days to overnights. You must complete an Assistant Counselor Application, available in the spring. Commitment: two one-week sessions in June, July or August For students entering their...
read moreEvent Support
Every season of the year brings new and exciting events, and we need all of the help we can get! Events include: Trillium Festival (including the Plant Sale); Earth Day Celebration, Wreath Sale; Forest Market; Winter Solstice; and more. GENERAL HOSPITALITY: Work behind the scenes to support staff and volunteers during events. Organize food and refreshments, prepare materials, greet and direct visitors, and more. EVENT ORGANIZING: If you love planning parties and events, we can use your skills. Schedule shifts and activities, plan and prepare...
read moreCommittees
Committees keep all of our programs going. If you like to plan, direct, brainstorm and take on responsibility over the long-term, a committee may be just right for you! ECO-TRAILS COMMITTEE: Make decisions and set goals for trail maintenance and restoration throughout the Park. Committee meets every other month. COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE: FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE: Direct and coordinate fundraising efforts and events. Fundraising allows us to meet our mission and build our capacity EDUCATION COMMITTEE: Brainstorm ideas for education events,...
read moreSpecial Projects
We’re always in need of someone with a special skill or interest to take on unique projects. Do you have a rare ability you’d like to offer? We need you! EXHIBITS: From woodworking and painting to research writing, graphic design and photography, we’re always in need of a special skill for Nature Center exhibits. If you’re creative and motivated, we can use your help! COMPUTERS: Help! We often need geeky folk who can help with data entry, networking, fixing bugs, database, printers…you name it. LIBRARY: Do you...
read moreOpportunities for Youth
There are many volunteer opportunities at Tryon Creek for youths both inside the nature center and outdoors in the park. These can range from assistant counselor positions during our summer Nature Day Camp to youth group Ivy pulls throughout the year. All minors under age 18 must have a legal parent or guardian sign a minor consent formallowing their child to participate in a volunteer project. Children under age 14 must be accompanied by a supervising adult Youth Groups Youth groups usually participate in ivy pulls. Children participating in...
read moreCourt-ordered Community Service
If you have court-ordered community service hours to complete, you may be eligible to volunteer with the Friends of Tryon Creek. You will be required to complete an additional form for court-ordered service. PLEASE NOTE: Individuals who have been convicted of or charged with any crime involving or relating to child abuse or neglect, child pornography, child abduction, or any other violent offense, including kidnapping, rape or any sexual offense, or who have ever been ordered by a court to receive psychiatric or psychological treatment in...
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