Volunteer Project Catalog
Polk County Conservation
Experience the comeback of midwestern cranes by participating in this exciting wildlife monitoring event as part of the International Crane Foundation’s Annual Midwest Crane Count. In partnership with the International Crane Foundation's Midwest Crane Count, Polk County Conservation is calling all bird lovers, newcomers, and avid hobbyists to assist in our annual Sandhill Crane count. Each year in mid-April, over 1,600 volunteers across the Midwest travel to their local wetlands and favorite birding locations to participate in collecting population data. This annual survey of Sandhill and Whooping Cranes spans over 120 counties in Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio and Minnesota. In Polk County, this data provides key insights into the effectiveness of our habitat restoration efforts in our management areas. Walking routes only will be available at Brenton Slough. Participants will need to be familiar with using GPS to record locations of sightings on their phones or other devices. No prior experience necessary. Saturday, April 12th @ 6:00am to 8:30am 6:00 AM - 6:30 AM: Volunteer sign-in and introductions | 6:30 AM - 8:30 AM: Crane count Please register by April 8th. If the event is at capacity, contact Volunteer Coordinators to inquire about participation. To learn more about the Crane Count, perspective crane count participants are asked to check out the online "Crane Count Preparation" folder at https://tinyurl.com/polkcranecountprep. Within this folder, participants can watch previously recorded Lunch & Learns on the crane count, find weblinks to additional resources to learn about sandhill cranes, and learn about how to identify cranes. Perspective crane count participants are also invited to attend a Sandhill Crane Celebration at Jester Park Nature Center on March 22nd at 10:30 AM. For more information, please check out https://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/conservation/events/sandhill-crane-celebration/.
How you can help:
Polk County Conservation
Experience the comeback of midwestern cranes by participating in this exciting wildlife monitoring event as part of the International Crane Foundation’s Annual Midwest Crane Count. In partnership with the International Crane Foundation's Midwest Crane Count, Polk County Conservation is calling all bird lovers, newcomers, and avid hobbyists to assist in our annual Sandhill Crane count. Each year in mid-April, over 1,600 volunteers across the Midwest travel to their local wetlands and favorite birding locations to participate in collecting population data. This annual survey of Sandhill and Whooping Cranes spans over 120 counties in Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio and Minnesota. In Polk County, this data provides key insights into the effectiveness of our habitat restoration efforts in our management areas. Driving and walking routes will be available at Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt to encourage encounters for all types of accessibilities. Participants will need to be familiar with using GPS to record locations of sightings on their phones or other devices. No prior experience necessary. All ages welcome. Ages under 16 with adult supervision. Saturday, April 12th @ 6am to 8:30am 6:00 AM - 6:30 AM: Volunteer sign-in and introductions | 6:30 AM - 8:30 AM: Crane count *Meet at the Natural Resources Headquarters (11204 NE 118th Ave, Maxwell, Iowa). Please register by April 8th. If the event is at capacity, contact Volunteer Coordinators to inquire about participation. To learn more about the Crane Count, perspective crane count participants are asked to check out the online "Crane Count Preparation" folder at https://tinyurl.com/polkcranecountprep. Within this folder, participants can watch previously recorded Lunch & Learns on the crane count, find weblinks to additional resources to learn about sandhill cranes, and learn about how to identify cranes. Perspective crane count participants are also invited to attend a Sandhill Crane Celebration at Jester Park Nature Center on March 22nd at 10:30 AM. For more information, please check out https://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/conservation/events/sandhill-crane-celebration/.
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Polk County Conservation
Come lend a hand in our native pollinator and rain gardens! Embrace the season of renewal this spring in PCC native gardens. Gardens utilizing plants that are native to a region provide many benefits for biodiversity, wildlife, water quality, and positively impact our community. Timely spring garden cleanup sets up our rain and pollinator gardens for success during the growing season. During this event, volunteers will receive a mini-lesson on garden spring cleanup. After the lesson, volunteers will get their hands dirty and dig into early season gardening tasks. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a beginner, these events provide valuable insights for caring for rain gardens and native plantings as both a volunteer in Polk County parks and for your native gardens at home. Upcoming Dates: Tuesday, April 8th @ 10am to 12pm & 1pm to 3pm Friday, April 11th @ 10am to 12pm & 1pm to 3pm *Meet at the red covered bridge in the park on April 8th *Meet at the Easter Lake Beach on April 11th
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Polk County Conservation
Come lend a hand in our native pollinator and rain gardens! Embrace the season of renewal this spring in PCC native gardens. Gardens utilizing plants that are native to a region provide many benefits for biodiversity, wildlife, water quality, and positively impact our community. Timely spring garden cleanup sets up our rain and pollinator gardens for success during the growing season. During this event, volunteers will receive a mini-lesson on garden spring cleanup. After the lesson, volunteers will get their hands dirty and dig into early season gardening tasks. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a beginner, these events provide valuable insights for caring for rain gardens and native plantings as both a volunteer in Polk County parks and for your native gardens at home. Upcoming Dates: Tuesday, April 1@ 10am to 12pm & 1pm to 3pm Friday, April 4th @ 10am to 12pm & 1pm to 3pm Meet at the Jester Park Nature Center entrance.
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Polk County Conservation
Come lend a hand in our native pollinator and rain gardens! Embrace the season of renewal this spring in PCC native gardens. Gardens utilizing plants that are native to a region provide many benefits for biodiversity, wildlife, water quality, and positively impact our community. Timely spring garden cleanup sets up our rain and pollinator gardens for success during the growing season. During this event, volunteers will receive a mini-lesson on garden spring cleanup. After the lesson, volunteers will get their hands dirty and dig into early season gardening tasks. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a beginner, these events provide valuable insights for caring for rain gardens and native plantings as both a volunteer in Polk County parks and for your native gardens at home. Upcoming Dates: Thursday, April 10th @ 9am to 12pm (River Place) Meet at the bike trailhead sign south of the parking lot.
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Polk County Conservation
Be a part of planting 1000 tree seedlings at Fort Des Moines Park this April as we celebrate Earth Day all month long! Volunteers will make a positive impact by planting tree seedlings within Fort Des Moines Park where recent restoration efforts have focused on bringing back the native forest habitat. In 2023/2024, fifty acres of invasive species were removed from this area of degraded timber. In summer 2024, over 200 goats grazed the area to further get rid of and naturally manage invasive species. After the success of these efforts we are ready for next steps to help bring back valuable native trees to restore this local ecosystem. Volunteers at these events will be taught about the benefits of native trees, how to properly plant trees, and how their efforts further our restoration goals at Fort Des Moines Park. Volunteers are encouraged to sign up for shifts that best fit their schedule. We understand schedules may not perfectly align - volunteers are welcome to come and go as needed. Upcoming Dates: Friday, April 18th @ 9am to 12pm & 1pm to 3pm Saturday, April 19th @ 9am to 12pm & 1pm to 3pm Tuesday, April 22nd @ 10am to 12pm & 1pm to 4pm & 4pm to 7pm Wednesday, April 23rd @ 1pm to 3pm Thursday, April 24th @ 9am to 12pm & 1pm to 4pm & 4pm to 7pm Friday, April 25th @ 9am to 12pm & 1pm to 3pm Volunteers should meet at Shelter #1
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Polk County Conservation
Be a part of planting 385 tree seedlings along the High Trestle Trail this April as part of our Earth Month Activities! Volunteers will make a positive impact by planting tree seedlings along a section of the High Trestle Trail to improve wildlife habitat, provide shade to trail uses, and to improve the beauty of the trail corridor. This tree planting has been made possible through a $2655 donation from the Iowa Woodland Owner's Assocation in honor of Dave Bartemes. This will be the second tree planting the Iowa Woodland Owner's Assocation has partnered with Polk County Conservation to enable establishment of Iowa native trees within our park and trail system. Volunteers at the these events will be taught about the benefits of native trees, how to properly plant trees, and how their efforts benefit our trail system and community. Volunteers are encouraged to sign up for shifts that best fit their schedule. We understand schedules may not perfectly align and so volunteers are welcome to go and go as needed. Exact meeting locations will be emailed to registered participants Upcoming Dates: Tuesday, April 15th @ 9am to 12pm and 1pm to 4pm Wednesday, April 16th @ 9am to 12pm
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Polk County Conservation
Join us for a morning of teamwork, conservation, and community as we continue building a new and improved trail at Easter Lake Park. This is an excellent opportunity for trail enthusiasts to gain entry-level trail construction skills while make a meaningful impact on our local trails. During this event, participants will help to clear existing vegetation and construct newly laid out trail sections. The new layout of this trail system improves the sustainability of the trail system, decreases maintenance, and helps to increase trail accessibility. Equipped with essential tools and guidance from PCC staff, you'll learn the best practices and proper techniques for trail construction. This event will start with a trail construction training follow by trail building activities. This event is designed for beginner to experienced trail building volunteers. This volunteer project has been made possible by passing of the 2021 Polk County Water Land & Legacy Bond, which has provided $10 million towards trails throughout Polk County. Upcoming Dates: Tuesday, May 13th @ 9am-12pm Thursday, May 15th @ 9am-12pm Friday, May 16th @ 9am-12pm Tuesday, May 20th @ 9am-12pm Thursday, May 22nd @ 9am-12pm
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Polk County Conservation
Help restore Iowa’s Woodland habitat by removing harmful invasive species to promote the growth of native trees, grasses, and wildflowers! Join the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, Blank Park Zoo, and Polk County Conservation as we work together to restore Iowa’s woodland flora. Invasive plant species put pressure on our native woodlands, and we need your help in restoring this habitat. When we remove invasive plants, we are helping our native plants and wildlife to flourish, and the animals at the Zoo have the opportunity to enjoy a treat. Honeysuckle, an invasive plant, is one the favorites of animals in the Zoo’s care. This volunteer opportunity offers a fun and meaningful service-learning experience. Volunteers will sharpen their skills in identifying both native and nonnative plant species, learn effective invasive removal techniques, and learn ways to positively impact Fort Des moines Park. Invasive Species Removal will take place from 9am-11am Prior to the event from 8:30am - 9am, join us for fun conservation activities and information about programs including Plant.Grow.Fly. Upcoming Dates: May 17th @ 9am to 11am
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Polk County Conservation
Come lend a hand in our native pollinator and rain gardens! Throughout Polk County parks, pollinator and rain gardens utilizing native plants provide biodiversity, wildlife habitat, help to manage stormwater runoff and improve water quality, and beautify our parks. Garden volunteers help take care of gardens in a location of their choosing for a few hours each month on a schedule that works for them. Whether you area a beginner or experienced gardener, there is a place for you in our garden volunteer program. All garden volunteers will be provided training and instruction as needed. Garden volunteers are not fully responsible for their garden(s). Throughout the year, staff and public volunteer events focused on gardening help to maintain these garden spaces. Many hands make lighter work! Garden volunteers are expected to: - Meet with volunteer staff for onboarding and training - Volunteer in their designated garden areas a couple hours every two weeks or more if desired - Communicate needs and requests for more training/education if needed - Submit their volunteer hours
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Polk County Conservation
Help restore native habitat and biodiversity in Polk County Parks by removing garlic mustard! Garlic mustard is an invasive plant species that tends to develop thick patches which outcompetes native understory flowers and grasses. Volunteers are needed to help specially handpull this plant from our woodland areas. Volunteers are needed in early spring through May as its an ideal time to remove this species before it goes to seed. Volunteer Staff will train individuals on plant identification, proper removal techniques, and help to identify known locations of garlic mustard within the park they choose to volunteer within. Volunteers are asked to track their volunteer hours and submit locations where they found and removed garlic mustard. While a major threat to our forests, garlic mustard also makes a dangerously delicious sauce in the kitchen! All volunteers will be given recipes to try out for a garlic mustard pesto sauce that can be used in a variety of culinary creations. Upcoming Dates: March-May Locations: Jester Park, Sycamore Trails, Chichaqua, Fort Des Moines Park
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Polk County Conservation
Help support our mission to restore Iowa’s native habitats by harvesting seed grasses and wildflowers from PCC tallgrass prairies, wetlands, and woodlands. All seed harvested is used for future habitat restoration projects across Polk County. As a seed harvester volunteer, you will collect native seed by hand that is ready to harvest from select plant species. This role will require bending at the knees, standing, kneeling, and walking through uneven terrain through grasses and wildflowers. Volunteers can be approved to work independently or with local stewardships groups to harvest seed within Polk County parks and along trails. Once onboarding and training are complete along with continuous ongoing support and direction from PCC staff, volunteers can harvest seed from approved locations on their own time. Each volunteer holding this position is required to report volunteer hours dedicated to harvesting efforts within designated areas. Volunteer hours that are self-reported are those that are completed outside of publicly promoted events led by PCC staff.
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Polk County Conservation
Whether you are seeking an inspiring setting in which to give back to the outdoor community; a senior looking to enjoy retirement; or simply wishing to spend quality time in a beautiful county park, all are invited to share their unique talents and passion for the outdoors and conservation with park visitors entering into their adventure at Jester Park. What Will You Do? Volunteers will be serving an important role at the Jester Park Nature Center welcoming visitors into their outdoor adventure at Jester Park. Volunteer Duties: *Welcome and assist visitors *Direct visitors to the various amenities that Jester Park provides *Provide information regarding events and programs *Check in and out Park Packs *Help set up and clean up for programming and events
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Polk County Conservation
Help beautify our parks and community through litter cleanup! Removal of litter from waterways and beyond has lasting impacts on water quality, animal health, and more. Volunteers can be approved to work independently or with friends and family to remove litter within Polk County parks, trails, and watersheds during. Volunteers that sign up for this role will identify parks or focus areas with PCC volunteer staff for litter removal and will be given supplies including trash bags, trash grabbers, and gloves. This volunteer position is designed to be flexible allowing volunteers to participate on schedules that work for them. Volunteers are required to report volunteer hours dedicated to litter removal within our parks, trails, and watersheds. When possible, volunteers are asked to weigh and report the trash removed. Locations volunteers can participate include any Polk County park or trail. Find a list of our trails here: https://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/conservation/parks-trails/ *Hours should be reported for litter removal completed outside of publicly promoted litter removal events.
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Polk County Conservation
Are you interested in becoming a water quality monitor volunteer? Across Polk County, volunteers help monitor 70 sites along our local waterways as a part of the Polk County Conservation Water Quality Monitoring Program (PCCWQMP). Each month volunteers monitor sites collecting data on weather, stream conditions, and basic chemical testing (pH, nitrate/nitrite, chloride, phosphate, and dissolved oxygen). WHAT TO EXPECT: TIME COMMITMENT Water quality monitoring occurs the first and/or third weeks of each month of the year. Monitoring takes 15-20 minutes at individual sites during most of the year. In mid-July/early August additional habitat assessments and biological (benthic macroinvertebrate collection) assessments are completed. These assessments typically take 1-2 hours. TRAINING and SUPPLIES All monitors receive free training prior to taking on a monitoring site. Online independent learning modules are available. All supplies, including equipment needed to complete water quality, testing will be provided to each volunteer. Field monitors submit their data through an app. FIELD ENVIRONMENT Monitoring takes places along our local waterways throughout neighborhoods of Polk County. Monitors are asked to monitor in the flow of the stream, although sometimes this is not possible so sampling along bridges is allowed in those cases. If becoming a water quality field monitor sounds like a good fit for you, we encourage you to sign up! After signing up, you will be asked to complete the agreement and the 5 modules of water quality training. Please contact the coordinator if you have questions. Thank you!
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Polk County Conservation
The Polk County Conservation Bat Monitoring Program is designed to learn which bat houses around the county are being utilized and by what type of colony. Monitoring is done by performing bat house emergence counts which entails counting how many bats exit and reenter bat houses shortly after sunset. Bat house emergent counts can vary in lasting between 25 minutes to 1 hour. Regular intervals of monitoring provides valuable insight regarding distribution, roost preferences, and population estimates bats found across the county. Volunteer Bat Monitor Requirements: - Perform at least 6 emergent counts throughout the monitoring season at your selected park (or roughly 1 per month if beginning monitoring after season has started) - Submit emergent count data online at https://forms.gle/DLorcK4f9xZtBQDR9 within 3 days of monitoring - Submit bat monitoring volunteer hours at the end of each month *Volunteer bat monitors are asked to monitor at least 6 times per park and not per bat house location.
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Polk County Conservation
The purpose of the central Iowa bluebird monitoring program is to provide habitat for and protection of bluebirds. Bluebird populations face the threat of habitat loss due to encroachment of urban construction as well as the usurpation of nesting cavities by European Starlings and House Sparrow, both of which were illegally introduced into the United States. Organizations partnering within the bluebird monitoring program address the bluebird habitat issue through bluebird box trails and weekly trail monitoring. Bluebird boxes are designed with openings too small for the European Starlings to enter through and monitors exclude House Sparrows from the boxes throughout the nesting season. The boxes and weekly monitoring efforts help to provide protection from predators and other threats and to benefit other bird species. Volunteer Bluebird Monitor Responsibilities: - Close and prepare their designated boxes between 2/15 and 3/15 each year - Perform weekly nest monitoring checks April 1st through August 31st, or until the last fledgling has left - Submit bluebird hatch record summary data using the designated online form to the wildlife programs volunteer coordinator no later than September 15th. - Submit bluebird monitoring volunteer hours at the end of each month Hatch record summary data should be submitted online at https://forms.gle/TLY2gztkd5K9qfAV9
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Polk County Conservation
In 2021, Polk County Conservation (PCC) began partnering with the Iowa Butterfly Survey Network (IBSN) to monitor butterflies. Monitors are asked to complete a virtual training with IBSN and to monitor designated route(s) 6+ times between June 1 and August 8. IBSN and Polk County Conservation aim to utilize butterfly data to better understand the health and distribution of native butterfly species and the habitats they are living in. Volunteer Butterfly Monitor Responsibilities - Work with PCC volunteer coordinators to select a portion of hard or soft trail to monitor - Make an account with IBSN and complete their online training - Complete 6 runs of your designated route between June 1st and August 8th - Upload data to IBSN in a timely manner - Submit your butterfly route monitoring volunteer hours at the end of each month *Volunteer hours will need to be tracked for both IBSN's records/database and for PCC's records/database. For PCC's records and ease of reporting hours, if you cover another monitor's trail one or two times please simply report the monitoring time under your primary butterfly route's volunteer hours. *During a monitoring run, volunteers are going through and trying to identify which butterfly species they encounter along their route
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Polk County Conservation
The Polk County Conservation Kestrel Monitoring Program originally began in partnership with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and monitors kestrel nest box use within Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt. The American kestrel is the smallest native bird of prey of North America. Its current population is regarded as "least concern", but its total numbers are in a sharp decline without the a clear cause on what is driving it. In response to the decline, groups and individuals across the country have began to monitor kestrel nest boxes. Polk County Conservation's nest box data is documented internally for trend tracking and shared with the American Kestrel Partnership for their research. Volunteer Kestrel Monitor Requirements: - Monitor designated nest boxes 1-2 times per month throughout the monitoring season (March 15th - August 31st) - Climb ladders (10 - 15 feet) to nest boxes for seasonal maintenance - Remove nests of invasive species from nest boxes as needed - Use a borescope/snake camera to look into nest boxes while monitoring - Document the animal species and number of adults, eggs, and offspring found within each nest box - Coordinate sharing monitoring supplies/equipment with Polk County Conservation staff and other volunteer(s) - Submit kestrel monitoring volunteer hours at the end of each month *Monitors can borrow Polk County Conservation's snake/borescope camera(s) as well as a ladder for nest box monitoring
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Polk County Conservation
Jester Park is home to two purple martin colonies. Purple martins are the largest North American species of swallow. They roost in colonies that can consist of thousands of birds. Colony monitoring used to be a much more common practice, and the species adapted to using manmade structures. Today, purple martins east of the Rocky Mountains tend to utilize artificial homes while those west of the mountain range favor their natural habitat. Colony monitors are tasked with collecting data on the colony's nesting and reproduction success throughout the summer. They are asked to change the nesting material if the interior of the nesting structure has become wet/saturated due to weather and/or when the nestlings are about 10 days old. Depending on the year, purple martin nesting areas may become infiltrated by various bugs/pests/mites. Based on guidance from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Purple Martin Conservation Association, monitors may perform a nest change for pest control. However, save for the nest change when nestlings are 10 days old, monitors are not asked to perform nest changes for bug/pest/mite control. This is in part due to a 3-year study on the benefit of nest changing that revealed no clear, long-term benefit from the practice when they compared nest structures with and without nest changes.
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Polk County Conservation
Each spring and fall, Polk County Conservation (PCC) staff and volunteers keep an eye out for snakes in the landscapes PCC manages. Originally started to monitor the local smooth green snake population within Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt, Polk County Conservation's snake monitoring program keeps tracks of what species of snakes are being spotted and where in order to better understand where different populations reside and how land management practices may impact snake populations overtime. Polk County Conservation has 7 total established snake monitoring routes located at Chichaqua and Brown’s Woods Park. Volunteers can choose to monitor a specific monitoring route once a week or they can also help to record chance snake encounters within Polk County Parks and trails. Monitoring is only done during daylight hours between 50-80 degrees Fahrenheit, and when it is not actively precipitating. Volunteer Snake Monitor Requirements: - Complete training with Polk County staff - Monitor designated routes once per week - Follow trails and roadways within Polk County Conservation managed parks and trails to look for snakes for chance encounters - Document any snakes that you come across by recording the species, quantity, location, time, date, temperature, and cloud cover - Record your snake sighting online at tinyurl.com/pcc-snakes - Record your snake monitoring volunteer hours at the end of each month
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Polk County Conservation
Polk County Conservation is working in partnership with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Army Corps of Engineers, IA DNR, and the City of Des Moines to collect data for the Urban Wildlife Information Network. A primary goal of the Urban Wildlife Information Network (based out of the Lincoln Park Zoo) is to gather and share data so that partners can quantify differences in the composition of urban wildlife communities both within and among cities. This study utilizes 25 trail camera traps placed along a linear transect to document wildlife sightings within various cities across the United States. Volunteers are assigned folders of images captured by the camera traps and are asked to go through each photo and to tag any animals they can locate within each image. The online photo library utilizes a Google library, and a Google email will be required to participate. This volunteer activity can be done from anywhere with a secure internet connection. Volunteers interested in this position will be asked to review information and training prior to participating in the UWIN camera study.
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