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We are always looking for new faces to help us keep Pottawattamie Conservation parks beautiful and educate the public. Whether you prefer outdoors or indoors, our volunteer opportunities provide impactful ways for you to make a difference, connect with nature and support our community.
Regular volunteers have the option of setting their own schedule and are rewarded with educational opportunities and other benefits. Volunteers also receive an annual park permit and a discount on gift shop merchandise as a thank you for their efforts.
Volunteers are currently needed to support the following programs:
Our five parks all have slightly different needs, but generally include:
Assist our environmental education staff with the presentation of youth and adult education programs. This volunteer position involves work with the general public, including children. Volunteer duties may include running registration, assisting with lesson presentations, taking photographs, directing program attendees, and more. Volunteer opportunities take place every month allowing for some flexibility of scheduling. Volunteers choose the events they wish to assist with.
Use your enthusiasm for nature as you greet and assist visitors, answer phones, and oversee the gift shop at the Loess Hills Lodge at Hitchcock Nature Center. Weekday and weekend daytime hours are available, and volunteers are welcome to schedule regular shifts or volunteer for individual shifts as their schedule allows.
This exciting new citizen science program based at Hitchcock Nature Center aims to better understand a new disease affecting area oak species. Volunteers will be provided needed training to identify, locate, and tag oak trees throughout the park using a smartphone and downloaded application. Volunteers will set their own hours and perform volunteer work as their schedule permits with the exception of season sessions. We will be scheduling training sessions for this important volunteer project in 2021, watch for an updated schedule coming soon.
Join our amazing team of HawkWatch volunteers & help count & record migrating raptors from the top of our observation tower. This is a seasonal volunteer opportunity, with counting beginning in August & the official season running from September 1st through mid-December each year. Counting hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily during the season with half day & full day shifts available. Potential volunteers need to have an intrepid spirit, a love for birds, & a willingness to learn. On the job training is provided & novice volunteers will join our experienced volunteers until they are proficient. Due to the work station location volunteers must be able to climb stairs & be able to tolerate Iowa's fickle weather changes.
To join our team of Pottawattamie Conservation please complete our volunteer application and submit it for processing. All potential volunteers will need to complete a background check prior to volunteering with Pottawattamie County. Please download and complete our volunteer application and return it today to start the process of becoming an official Pottawattamie Conservation volunteer.
Download the Printable Volunteer Application
For more information on volunteer opportunities or to schedule a private volunteer project please contact Dana Kruse, Volunteer and Facilities Coordinator at (712) 545-3283 or email him at dana.kruse@pottcounty-ia.gov.
Not able to commit to being a regular volunteer but still want to make a difference?
Join us for one of our public volunteer events! These are volunteer opportunities that are open to the public & do not require the completion of a volunteer application. Most events are family friendly and provide a variety of volunteer activities, from seed collecting to trash cleanup & everything in between. Volunteer events are held periodically throughout the season with an average of two to four events per year. These events are open to all interested participants and there is no additional commitment beyond the duration of the event.
Privately Scheduled Volunteer Projects:
Civic groups, businesses, other organizations, and students looking to fulfill community service requirements or objectives may contact our Community Relations Coordinator for more information on scheduling a private volunteer project.
Private projects are available based on park needs and staff availability; as such, they may not be available at all times. We request that you contact us at least three weeks prior to your desired date of service. Advance notice increases our chances of finding an appropriate volunteer project.
