Become a Forest Steward
Volunteer with Clermont County Parks! Whether you want to get outside and get your hands dirty, connect with the community through outreach and environmental education, or donate your time to organizational tasks, we have a space for you. Volunteer as an individual by registering and attending an orientation.
Questions? Email Paige Zumaita, our Volunteer Coordinator, at pczumaita@clermontcountyohio.gov.
Forest Steward
Interested in being a Clermont County Parks volunteer? We’d love for you to join us!
Volunteer Requirements
All volunteers must fill out a application and waiver to get started. You must be 18 years of age and pass a general background check and must attend an informal interiew session to get started. All are expected to exhibit respect for other volunteers, employees and park guests, regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religious status, age or ability.
Recording Hours
Volunteers will be asked to record hours for any work that they do to benefit Clermont County Parks, including drive time to and from their volunteer role. This helps the park district to evaluate programming and outreach, and also helps to secure grant funding for future programming.
Volunteer Benefits
- Community Impact
- Health Benefits
- Social Connections
- Sense of Accomplishment
- Enviornmental Stewardship
Available Volunteer Roles
Chilo Lock #34 and River Museum volunteers
Do you have a passion for history and educational outreach? Volunteer to be docent at the Chilo River Museum! You'll help to greet guests and share information about the museum, in addition to assisting with onsite naturalist programs. Two-hour shifts are available to allow park staff to break from the museum in order to share programming with park guests. Share your love for education and history at a beautiful setting on the Ohio River! Training Provided.
Naturalist Program Assistant
Do you enjoy connecting the community with the nature? Our naturalist team is looking for enthusiastic volunteers to be an extra set of hands at our summer camps, in-park programming and nature play days. Duties include helping to set up/take down activities, registering guests, engaging guests in nature exploration and supervision in experiential programs, such as hiking and creek play. Background check required. Training provided.
Trail Monitoring
Be a part of a team that has a passion for restoring and maintaining the natural areas within the park district. If you enjoy being outdoors and find satisfaction in taking action in improving local habitats, this volunteer role is for you! We invite you to hike our trails at your own pace and report any issues with the trail you may see. Issues may include trail erosion, downed trees, litter (we can provide any tools necessary), clearing trail debris, damaged structures etc.
Adopt-a-Trail
Adopt-a-Trail volunteers are the eyes and ears on their adopted trails. Duties will include checking for downed trees or other trail obstructions, particularly after storm events, as well as cutting back branches and other obstructions. They will also clear trail drainages. Park tools can be used, or volunteer can use their own loppers, clippers and rogue hoes. Volunteers are not permitted to use personal chainsaws. Volunteers will submit a monthly trail report. Training is provided.
Bluebird Box Monitoring
Join our new bluebird box monitoring program! This is an independent role done on your time. Volunteers will hike our bluebird box trails to collect nesting data for our Natural Resources department. Short training required.
