Volunteer Project Catalog

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

Jester ParkEnvironmental EducationJulySummer Camp SidekicksJune

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

Jester ParkEnvironmental EducationMarchJulyJunePublic Volunteer Events

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.

Chichaqua Valley TrailYellow Banks ParkBrown's WoodsThomas Mitchell ParkEaster Lake ParkYear-roundFort Des Moines ParkJester ParkIndependent Volunteer OpportunitySycamore TrailsStrasser WoodsLitter RemovalWeekendWeekdayIndependent Volunteer Opportunity

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!

Water Citizen ScienceWater Quality MonitoringYear-round

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

High Trestle TrailYellow Banks ParkBrown's WoodsThomas Mitchell ParkEaster Lake ParkJuneChichaqua Bottoms GreenbeltFort Des Moines ParkJester ParkWildlife MonitoringWildlife Citizen ScienceJulyAugust

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

SeptemberMarchBrown's WoodsOctoberJuneChichaqua Bottoms GreenbeltWildlife MonitoringIndependent Volunteer OpportunityWildlife Citizen ScienceAprilJulyMayAugustIndependent Volunteer Opportunity