Great River Greening

VOLUNTEERS

Volunteer With Great River Greening

Volunteers are at the heart of Great River Greening’s mission to restore native landscapes in our community. Since 1995, nearly 20,000 individuals have supported us in our continued efforts to positively impact ecologically endangered and unhealthy natural areas and open spaces in the Twin Cities.

We involve groups and individuals of all ages and abilities. No prior experience necessary. Our volunteers include:

Individuals and Families
Youth and Adult Groups
Environmental and Outdoors Clubs
Community and Service Organizations
Corporations and Businesses
Girl Scout and Boy Scout Troops
Faith Based Groups
Local College, High School, and Junior High School Students

Everyone Benefits

Volunteering with Great River Greening allows individuals and groups the opportunity to improve our environment, build a sense of community, and foster long-term interest in ecological restoration and stewardship. Our volunteer opportunities teach all individuals involved about the natural landscape and its ecology. In addition, our volunteers experience a sense of accomplishment, meet others committed to our environment, and develop new skills.

If you would like to help plant a tree, collect native seeds, build a rain garden, serve lunch or register volunteers at events, educate others in our community about the mission of Great River Greening, or lead other volunteers during large restoration projects, volunteering with Great River Greening is for you. They are countless ways to get involved. Contact Great River Greening today!

Immediate Volunteer Needs

Community Event Volunteer:
Our community event volunteers consists of individuals and groups committed to ensuring the ecological health of greens spaces in our community. Restoration volunteers plant native trees and shrubs, remove invasive species, and collect and spread native prairie seeds at our restoration events throughout the year.

We hold 6-8 large events each spring and fall throughout the Twin Cities metro area. Our projects range in size from 50 to 350 volunteers. A continental breakfast, refreshments, and lunch are provided. In addition, smaller restoration and conservation projects are regularly held on weekdays and weekday evenings in the spring, summer, and fall.

For a complete list of upcoming events, click here.

Hospitality Crew Volunteer:
Hospitality crew volunteers are integral to ensuring all Great River Greening volunteers find the experience to be a worthwhile and meaningful one. Hospitality crew team members help register and serve lunch at restoration events, represent Great River Greening at community events like the Living Green Expo and Hands on Twin Cities Day at the Mall of America, and work internally to help improve Great River Greening’s event policies and procedures.

To request information about becoming a Special Events Volunteers, click here.

Volunteer Supervisor:
Great River Greening’s volunteer supervisors are critical to the success of our work. Supervisors lead work groups at our restoration events where they provide on the job training to work groups consisting of 10-20 restoration volunteers in planting, exotic species removal, and native seed propagation. In addition, Volunteer Supervisors lead smaller projects throughout the year and educate community groups on issues related to ecological conservation and restoration.

To learn about our next Volunteer Supervisor training, click here.

Clerical Volunteer:
Clerical Volunteers are needed on a limited basis to help with various office projects including database maintenance, filing and sorting, and assistance with large bulk mail projects. Clerical volunteers work during Great River Greening office hours, Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm.

To request information about becoming a Clerical Volunteer, click here.

Youth Volunteer Opportunities

Community Event Volunteer
Volunteering with Great River Greening is a fun and effective way to help out the environment. Not only will you have a lot of fun, you also develop new skills, experience a sense of accomplishment, and meet others who are as committed to the environment as you are. No prior experience is necessary and all ages and abilities are welcome. Join Great River Greening’s effort and sign up to volunteer!

For a complete list of upcoming events, click here.

Teen Supervisor
Great River Greening is seeking young people passionate about the environment to get involved as a Teen Supervisors. Teen Supervisors lead work groups consisting of 10-20 individuals in planting, exotic species removal, and spreading native seeds. Training is provided and new supervisors are paired with more experienced ones until they are comfortable to work alone.

To learn more about becoming a Teen Supervisor, click here.

Green Teen Youth Corp
Are you a part of an environmental club? Are you looking for ways your club can impact the environment? Get involved with the Green Teen Youth Corp., a network of youth-based environmental groups that work at our community events and lead projects in their own community. It is a great way to get your group involved in the community and meet others who share your passion and excitement about protecting our environment!

To learn more about getting your environment club involved in the Green Teen Youth Corp, click here.

The Million Acorn Challenge
Great River Greening’s Million Acorn Campaign is a five-year effort to restore oak savanna communities in Minnesota through oak restoration projects and acorn planting events. In order to reach our goal, Great River Greening has enlisted the help of youth across the metro area. In the past two years, community youth groups, consisting of over 1,700 volunteers, collected nearly 500,000 acorns though out the Twin Cities. This year we hope to mobilize twice that amount in order to reach our goal of 1,000,000 acorns! The acorn collection will help ensure that oak savannah ecosystems, one of the rarest plant ecosystems in the world, are preserved and protected for future generations to come.

To learn more about the Million Acorn Challenge, click here.

For more information on any Great River Greening volunteer opportunity, contact Mark Turbak, Volunteer Programs and Events Manager at 651.665.9500, ext. 11 or mturbak@greatrivergreening.org.