Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer Opportunities
The Environmental Division offers a variety of volunteer opportunities. Many individuals, groups, and organizations donate their time to special projects each year. If you can help with one or more of these projects please call 293-5070 for more information.We have one day volunteer events, on-going projects, or occasional community service opportunities - anything to fit your schedule!
One Day Volunteer Events
2010 Community Garden Kick Off Day and Airport Garden Prep Day
Saturday, April 10th 9:00am-1:00pm
Groups and individuals are needed for the annual Spring Garden Prep Day on Saturday, April 10, 2010 to prepare the gardens for the 2010 growing season. We will be preparing the Airport Community Garden from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. All interested gardeners are encouraged to attend this clean up. Please come dressed for the weather and to get your hands dirty. If you have any questions or are interested in a garden plot, please call the Elkhart Environmental Center at 293-5070.
Saturday, April 10th 9:00am-1:00pm
Groups and individuals are needed for the annual Spring Garden Prep Day on Saturday, April 10, 2010 to prepare the gardens for the 2010 growing season. We will be preparing the Airport Community Garden from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. All interested gardeners are encouraged to attend this clean up. Please come dressed for the weather and to get your hands dirty. If you have any questions or are interested in a garden plot, please call the Elkhart Environmental Center at 293-5070.
Clean Your Files Day
April 22nd 9am-3pm
Clean Your Files Day is a great way to celebrat Earth Day by recycling old, unwanted files. The City of Elkhart's Environmental Division, Integra Certified Document Destruction and the Elkhart Chamber of Commerce invites businesses, non-profits, schools, and residents to bring your files to Civic Plaza to be shredded and recycled. Volunteers are needed to help participants unload their vehicles and provide information on local recycling efforts. If you would like to volunteer please call the Elkhart Environmental Center at 574-293-5070.
April 22nd 9am-3pm
Clean Your Files Day is a great way to celebrat Earth Day by recycling old, unwanted files. The City of Elkhart's Environmental Division, Integra Certified Document Destruction and the Elkhart Chamber of Commerce invites businesses, non-profits, schools, and residents to bring your files to Civic Plaza to be shredded and recycled. Volunteers are needed to help participants unload their vehicles and provide information on local recycling efforts. If you would like to volunteer please call the Elkhart Environmental Center at 574-293-5070.
City Wide Clean-Up
April 24th 9am to 12pm
Join the City of Elkhart and Elkhart residents in cleaning up our city streets, alley ways and parks in celebration of Earth Day. We will be cleaning up litter in our neighborhoods. After the Clean up head down to Central Park for the Spring Fling-40th Earth Day Celebration. Registration is requested for the Clean Up.
April 24th 9am to 12pm
Join the City of Elkhart and Elkhart residents in cleaning up our city streets, alley ways and parks in celebration of Earth Day. We will be cleaning up litter in our neighborhoods. After the Clean up head down to Central Park for the Spring Fling-40th Earth Day Celebration. Registration is requested for the Clean Up.
Spring Fling-40th Earth Day Celebration
April 24th 10am to 2pm
April 24th 10am to 2pm
Celebrate Earth Day by volunteering at Spring Fling-40th Earth Day Celebration with the City of Elkhart Parks and Recreation, Elkhart County Parks and Recreation, Elkhart Environmental Center, City of Goshen Parks, Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center and Woodlawn Nature Center. Volunteers are needed to help with crafts, serve food, lead games or be a mascot. If you are interested in volunteering please call the Elkhart Environmental Center at 574-2935070.
Elkhart Environmental Center and Boot Lake Volunteer Days
May 8th 9am-3pm
Come out and join the community in keeping Elkhart's natural areas looking beautiful. Groups will be at both Boot Lake and the Elkhart Environmental Center performing litter clean up, non-native species removal, weeding and other maintenance tasks. Bring lunch and dress for the weather.
Saint Joseph River Clean Up
September 18th 9:30am-3:30pm
Join the Elkhart Environmental Division for the 15th annual St. Joseph River Clean-Up! The fun begins at Island Park. Volunteers will be in the river and surrounding area collecting litter. Lunch will be provided. Be sure to dress for water and wear closed-toed shoes. Registration is encouraged.
Spring/Summer/Fall Opportunities
Garden Guardians
The Four Winds Garden Club has adopted the butterfly garden and members take turns caring for the plants. Many other gardens need your help! Bring your gloves and give us a hand maintaing our flower beds organically.
Saturday Center Hosts
April through September
On Saturday afternoons volunteers and volunteer families become Weekend Hosts, welcoming guests to the log cabin education center during its open hours of 1 to 4 p.m. Volunteers can have a monthly time slot or just host a few times per year. Training is provided.
Year Round Service Opportunities
Friday Restoration Days
Every Friday, the Environmental Division staff performs restoration on one of these natural sites in Elkhart; the Elkhart Environmental Center, Boot Lake Nature Preserve, and Hudson Sterling Restoration Area. Volunteers are needed to assist with invasive species removal, trail maintenance. litter pickup and more. Times vary. For more detail or to sign up you or your group for service please call the Elkhart Environmental Center at 293-5070.
Adopt-a-Trail
Nature lovers are invited to adopt trails at the Elkhart Environmental Center, Boot Lake, the River Greenway Trail, and Woodlawn Nature Center. Volunteers are needed to 'adopt' trails monthly to clear fallen limbs and other debris, remove trash and notify the Elkhart Environmental Division of large obstacles that may be blocking trails.
Adopt-a-Spot
The Environmental Division is looking of adventurous individuals that love to work outdoors to adopt areas of the Elkhart Environmental Center, Boot Lake and the Hudson-Sterling Restoration Area. Tasks would include weeding, non-native species removal, litter clean up and other maintenance tasks.
River Monitoring
The Environmental Division staff tests the quality of the river quarterly through biological, physical, and chemical tests. If you are interested in participating and learning more about how to test river quality call the Elkhart Environmental Center. 1 or 2 participants needed.
Public Programmer
Do you have a special skill you can share with others? Perhaps you could teach others how to paint landscape potraits, nature photography, or how to build a compost bin? We are always looking for new program ideas - give us a call if you have a skill you can share!
Purple Martin and Bluebird House Repair Person
Some of our bird boxes need some help...if you like to play with a hammer and nails then this project might be for you!
Purple Martin House Monitor
We need to discourage the starlings and attract some real purple martins - we have the perfect habitat - but haven't had any luck! If this is your fortay, please come and help our boxes!
If you would like to become a volunteer, please call and request a volunteer application and mail it to the Center at 1717 East Lusher Avenue, Elkhart, IN 46516 or fax it to 574-970-0593.
We will then schedule a volunteer interview and get you started on a project!
Note: some volunteer opportunities may require a background check.
News & Notices
- Summer 2010 Green Gazette
Published: Thursday, June 10, 2010
The Green Gazette is a regular publication of the City of Elkhart's Environmental Division. Inside you'll find out about our upcoming events and helpful information and environmental tips.
- Elkhart Environmental Center Biennial Report
Published: Friday, March 19, 2010
Check out all of the accomplishment's of the Elkhart Environmental Center over the last two year. Discover how many people were reached, our partners and much more.
- Adopt-A-Trail Map for Boot Lake Nature Preserve
Published: Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Interested in making a difference in your community while getting outside? You can adopt-a-trail in the City of Elkhart. Volunteers will maintain trails at Boot Lake, the Elkhart Environmental Center, Woodlawn Nature Preserve or the River Green Way. For more information call the Elkhart Environmental Center at 574-293-5070.
- Spring 2010 Green Gazette
Published: Thursday, February 18, 2010
The Green Gazette is a regular publication of the City of Elkhart's Environmental Division. Inside you'll find out about our upcoming events and helpful information and environmental tips.
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