Volunteers are an important part in the effort to restore habitat and survey wildlife within Three Rivers Parks. 

Whether you want to volunteer one time or become an ongoing volunteer, we have a variety of seasonal and year-round opportunities for you to support our natural resources.

Prairie Seed Collection

Each year, hundreds of volunteers help increase the amount and diversity of seed planted in the nearly 2,000 acres of restored prairie managed by Three Rivers Park District. Seed collecting provides an opportunity to learn about the prairie’s rich history and how to identify many of the plants while helping to restore park land to native prairies.

• Who: Participants must be at least 12 years old
• When: August through October

How to Register

Groups of 10 or more may inquire about arranging a special collection date by contacting Angela Grill, wildlife biologist, by email at Angela.Grill@ThreeRiversParks.org. 

Groups containing minors will need to provide the volunteer permission form for minors in advance.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

What to Expect

What you'll be doing

• You will collect seed by hand.
• Training is provided at the start of each session.

The type of location and environment

• Volunteers work in sunny open areas, walk through tall grass on uneven terrain.
• Collection sites are located in remote areas of our parks. After you have parked and joined the group, you will be guided out to the collection site. Be sure to arrive on time or early to the designated meeting location.
• Water and restroom facilities may not be located nearby.
• Be aware that poison ivy, ticks, mosquitos or wasps may be found in some areas of our parks. Use bug spray or treated clothing, learn to identify and avoid poison ivy, and always check clothing and body for ticks after returning indoors.

What to wear

• Sturdy, closed-toed shoes
• Clothes you can get a little dirty
• Long pants
• Long sleeves
• Hat
• Sunglasses

What to bring

• Sun protection
• Bug protection
• Garden or work gloves
• Small garden clippers
• Five paper grocery bags with handles
• Water and a snack

Age Requirements

The minimum age for participation is 12. Youth aged 12–16 must be accompanied by an adult (one adult per eight youth).

Our adoption programs provide ongoing opportunities to create thriving forests, keep the gardens and landscape areas in Three Rivers looking beautiful and maintain our incredible regional trails. 

These opportunities allow you to focus your time on a specific part of a park or trail, with a group or on your own, for a longer period of time. 

• Who: Groups and occasionally individuals
• When: Year-round
  • Minimum Commitment: Two years

Adopt-A-Woodlot program

• Minimum Commitment: Two scheduled events per month

Help keep our forests healthy by suppressing and removing invasive plant species — such as buckthorn, garlic mustard and exotic honeysuckle — by adopting a woodlot.

To apply, review the instruction sheet, then submit your completed application form to the Volunteer Office at Volunteer@ThreeRiversParks.org.

Current volunteers with the Adopt-A-Woodlot program can submit their time and efforts using this Record of Contribution form.

Adopt-A-Garden program

• Minimum Commitment: Two scheduled events per month between May–October

Help keep the gardens and landscape areas around Three Rivers looking beautiful, by weeding and cleaning up important areas at the parks. 

To apply, review the instruction sheet and available gardens then submit your completed application form to the Volunteer Office at Volunteer@ThreeRiversParks.org.

Current volunteers with the Adopt-A-Garden program can submit their time and efforts using this Record of Contribution form.

Adopt-A-Trail program

• Minimum Commitment: Two scheduled events per year (one in the fall & one in the spring)

Help maintain our beautiful regional trail system, by cleaning up a designated section of a trail, including the trail itself, the trail shoulder, ditch and the taller vegetation beyond the trail.

To apply, review the instruction sheet and available trail sections, then submit your completed application form.

Questions? Contact the Volunteer Office at volunteer@threeriversparks.org.

Current volunteers with the Adopt-A-Trail program can submit their time and efforts using this Record of Contribution form.