Volunteer Project Catalog
Polk County Conservation
Explore with us as we catch and identify those that call our Iowa waters home and learn what insight they provide into water quality. Iowa’s waters are home for thousands of plants and animals that have adapted to live and reproduce in aquatic habitats. Each summer field monitors with Polk County Conservation Water Quality Monitoring Program (PCCWQMP) search 70 sites throughout the county evaluating aquatic populations of benthic macroinvertebrates. Counting and categorizing species by their pollution tolerance gives insight into the health of the aquatic habitat and is a valuable tool when used with the physical and chemical assessment data collected bimonthly.
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Polk County Conservation
Polk County Conservation provides youth summer camps that are designed to encourage hands-on learning through outdoor explorations, activities, games, crafts, and more. Camps are led by naturalists with the assistance of volunteers, our Summer Camp Sidekicks. This opportunity provides a volunteer with a wonderful way to spend time playing, exploring, learning, and teaching while enjoying the camp experience. The inspiring part of this volunteer opportunity is seeing firsthand the difference made in the communities and youth served by Polk County Conservation. Whether you are a high school student seeking to fulfill Silver Cord hours, a college student seeking a graduation requirement, a teacher looking to give back during summer break, or a retiree seeking to rediscover the joys of summer camp - all are welcome to apply to be a Summer Camp Sidekick! This program is designed for volunteers ages 14 and up. Volunteers will assist naturalists leading camps in a variety of tasks such as helping with activities, games, or crafts in an outdoor setting. We may be hiking, getting dirty at the pond, or catching insects in the prairie. Volunteers need to be comfortable being outside in all weather conditions.*Experience is not required and all training will be provided by Polk County Conservation camp staff. All prospective volunteers are expected to: - Fill out the initial application - Complete an additional questionaire - Complete a virtual program training & orientation 2026 day camps are located at Jester Park
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Polk County Conservation
Engage with families at the Jester Park Outdoor Recreation and Wellness Center during our Family Fun Night. This volunteer opportunity includes working with a naturalist to offer a low-cost night of fun for friends and families. Participants will be able to try archery, bouldering, play a variety of family games and puzzles, and make s’mores. Specifically this volunteer will help run our archery range during the event. Previous archery experience is required. Upcoming dates: Friday, March 13 @ 6-8pm Friday, June 26 @ 6-8pm Friday, July 31 @ 6-8pm
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Polk County Conservation
Make your mark on 1 of nearly 200,000 miles of trail throughout the U.S. this National Trails Day®! National Trails Day® is an annual event hosted by the American Hiking Society that encourages support of our nation’s public trails. Trails are an important part of urban and rural communities and have a positive impact on our mental and physical health. National Trails Day® is a day of public events aimed at advocacy and trail service that invites thousands of trail users of all shapes and sizes to our parks to engage in trail advocacy and service. Polk County Conservation invites you, your friends, and family out for a day of volunteerism and celebration in support of our beloved public trails here in Polk County. Volunteers will lend a hand creating a new trail at Fort Des Moines Park before gathering for an afternoon of food, fun, and community. *Free lunch, beverages, yard games, and a chance to win giveaways provided for all registered participants! REGISTRATION REQUIRED. No experience necessary. DATE & TIME Saturday, May 30th @ 9 AM - 1 PM EVENT SCHEDULE 8:30am to 9:00am: Volunteer check-in 9:00am to 9:30am: Project introduction and safety chat 9:30am to 12:00pm: Trail projects 12:00pm to 1:00pm: Complimentary lunch, giveaways, and games WEATHER *When trails are wet, they are susceptible to erosion, ruts, and compaction. As it is easier to prevent rather than repair damage to soils, we will be unable to work on trails if soils are wet and tacky. We will notify everyone by 7 AM on Saturday morning if we are unable to host our event on Saturday due to trail conditions.
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Polk County Conservation
Join us for a day of teamwork, conservation, and community as we finish 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. Participants will wrap up the final phases of trail construction, adding the finishing touches that will bring this new route to life. The updated design improves long‑term sustainability, reduces maintenance needs, and enhances overall accessibility for trail users. With tools provided and guidance from Polk County Conservation staff, volunteers will learn effective construction techniques and best practices for building durable, user‑friendly trails. The event begins with a brief training session, followed by hands‑on building activities, and is well‑suited for both first‑time and 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: May 14 @ 9 AM - 12 PM & 1 - 3 PM May 28 @ 9 AM - 12 PM & 1 - 3 PM
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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. **This opportunity is not silver cord eligible.** 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
In partnership with Dallas County Conservation, we invite you to step into the heart of Brenton Slough and get an inside look at the habitats, wildlife, and restoration work that make this place so special. This volunteer preview morning offers guided hikes, hands-on volunteer work, and choose-your-adventure exploration so participants can experience the variety of stewardship opportunities available throughout the year. Whether you're curious about invasive species management, wetlands, prairies, birding, or simply discovering new wild spaces, this event is a chance to connect with the land, meet staff from Dallas and Polk County Conservation Boards, and see how you can make an impact at Brenton Slough. Date & Schedule: Saturday, June 13 @ 8 AM - 12 PM 8 - 9 AM | Birding Hike with Dallas County Conservation 9 - 11 AM | Stewardship Activities - Choose Your Adventure: invasive species removal, wildlife hike, habitat exploration 11 AM - 12 PM | Lunch provided for all registered participants Location: Exact meeting location details will be sent to registered participants.
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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
Ever wonder what just flitted by you on a trail? The presence and abundance of butterflies’ act as a good indication of habitat health and are also easily recognizable opportunities for the public to get involved with data collection. Butterfly wildlife monitors are assigned a route to observe 6+ times during butterflies’ most active seasons, June 1 – August 8. Monitors will collect and submit this data. Whether you are a beginner or experienced naturalist, there is a place for you in our wildlife volunteer program. All wildlife monitor volunteers will be provided training and instruction as needed. Butterfly wildlife monitors are expected to: - Complete a virtual onboarding and training - Walk their designated route and collect data 6 times or more if desired during designated season - Communicate needs and requests for more training/education if needed - Submit their volunteer hours
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Polk County Conservation
There’s a snake in my prairie! Snake populations give a good indication of habitat health; however, tracking this data can be difficult. Snake wildlife monitors are assigned a route with snake boards to observe weekly, collect data and maintain throughout the snake active seasons, March 20 – October 31. Snake boards are sheets of metal or wood that trap heat and allow reptiles to warm themselves under. Volunteers will lift these boards and collect what species of snake they see. Whether you are a beginner or experienced naturalist, there is a place for you in our wildlife volunteer program. All wildlife monitor volunteers will be provided training and instruction as needed. Snake wildlife monitors are expected to: - Meet with volunteer staff for onboarding and training - Walk their designated route and collect data once a week or more if desired - Communicate needs and requests for more training/education if needed - Submit their volunteer hours
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