Opportunities From: Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation

Explore different locations and connect with people and nature, while making a positive difference in Mecklenburg County's green spaces by removing litter! Volunteers will be equipped with litter pick-up sticks and/or gloves. Be aware that trash will be located off trail over uneven and muddy ground. We may walk a cumulative 1-2 miles over uneven terrains. Anyone under the age of 16 MUST be accompanied by a parent/ adult. Pre-registration is required - no walk-ups will be accepted!

Wear long pants and sleeves; closed-toe shoes are required! Dress appropriately for the weather; and bring a water bottle and snacks.

QUESTIONS? Contact Ariel.Lowery@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov 

WANTED: Invasive plant Elaeagnus sp. - AKA Silverberry! 

REWARD: Protection of McDowell Nature Preserve's native species and natural communities! 

Meet the staff at McDowell Nature Center to connect with people and nature, all while making a positive difference in the community by removing invasive plant species! Come prepared to cut down small shrubs with provided hand tools. Plants will be located off-trail over uneven terrain. Individual pre-registration is REQUIRED for ALL Volunteers! 

Please bring your own sunscreen, bug spray, water bottle and snacks. Dress appropriately to be working outdoors for 2 hours; long pants and closed-toe shoes are required! Please bring your own work gloves. Volunteers 12 years old and up are welcome - Anyone under the age of 16 MUST be accompanied by a parent/adult at all times.

Contact Jolene.Gale@mecklenburgcountync.gov or call 706-508-2515 if you have questions! 

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a time to give back to your community! In honor of this worthy cause, join Environmental Educator Matthew Morgan to help beautify a local green space, Cordelia Park (and Little Sugar Creek Greenway, time permitting) for all to enjoy. We’ll supply litter pickers and trash bags; you bring work gloves, a water bottle and plenty of ENERGY - this is a family-friendly Volunteer event for ages 10 and up! If you have paperwork to be completed for school service hours, please bring forms with you. 

THANK YOU for choosing to Volunteer with Park & Recreation! Below are a few tips and reminders for a SAFE & PRODUCTIVE Volunteer experience:

Wear long pants and long sleeves, for protection from scratches and/or poison ivy.  Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes – REQUIRED, NO sandals, Crocs or flip-flops. Wear OLDER shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty, wet or muddy. Wear heavy-duty work gloves – bring your own gloves if you have them - extras will be available. Wear a hat and sunscreen for protection from sun exposure. Bring your own water in a refillable water bottle (in a backpack, if possible); to stay hydrated, avoid the need to refill, and to protect the environment from single-use plastic bottles. 

QUESTIONS? Contact Matthew.Morgan@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or 980-314-1207 for more information. 

WANTED: Invasive plant Elaeagnus sp. - AKA Silverberry! 

REWARD: Protection of McDowell Nature Preserve's native species and natural communities! 

Welcome the New Year by meeting the staff at McDowell Nature Center to connect with people and nature, while making a positive difference in the community by removing invasive plant species! Come prepared to cut down small shrubs with provided hand tools. Plants will be located off-trail over uneven terrain. Individual pre-registration is REQUIRED for ALL Volunteers! 

Please bring your own sunscreen, bug spray, water bottle and snacks. Dress appropriately to be working outdoors for 2.5 hours; long pants and closed-toe shoes are required! Please bring your own work gloves. Volunteers 12 years old and up are welcome - Anyone under the age of 16 MUST be accompanied by a parent/adult at all times.

Contact Ariel.Lowery@MeckNC.gov or call 704-517-2657 if you have questions! 

"Trash Trackers" returns on MONDAYS in 2026! Connect with people and nature, while making a positive difference in Mecklenburg County's green spaces by removing litter! Volunteers will be equipped with litter pick-up sticks and/or gloves. Be aware that trash will be located off trail over uneven and muddy ground. We may walk a cumulative 1-2 miles over uneven terrains. Anyone under the age of 16 MUST be accompanied by a parent/ adult. Pre-registration is required - no walk-ups will be accepted!

Wear long pants and sleeves; closed-toe shoes are required! Dress appropriately for the weather; and bring a water bottle and snacks.

The instructor will contact all Volunteers a few days before each date to confirm all details.

QUESTIONS? Contact Ariel.Lowery@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call 704-517-2657.

Volunteers who register as Nature Center Assistants may assist in any or all of the following capacities: Animal Care Basic Animal Care (daily) (can be 14+) Water change and/or mist Remove old food & waste Advanced Animal care (1-3 times/week) (must be 18, or have been a prior Basic AC Volunteer for 1 year) Water change, mist, remove old food & waste Animal diet preparation Animal feeding Deep cleaning tanks  Visitor Services (must be 18) Greeting visitors Collecting surveys Maintaining nature center exhibits Maintain loaner program items (fishing poles, backpacks, etc)  Administrative (must be 18) Answer phones/greet visitors during staff meetings Print flyers, make copies  Grounds (can be under 18 with accompanying parent/guardian) Walking trails to remove trash Maintain outdoor play area Maintain gardens Maintain compost bins Refill/clean bird feeders Check/refill kiosks  Docent (weekends & special events) (must be 18) Trained in animal handling and interpretation Impromptu interpretation in & around nature center Campground visits Campfire programs Special events PR tables  Docent (weekdays) (must be 18) Trained in animal handling, school curriculum and interpretation Campground visits Assistance with: School programming at nature center Campfire programs Special events PR tables

Volunteers who register as Nature Center Assistants may assist in any or all of the following capacities: Animal Care Basic Animal Care (daily) (can be 14+) Water change and/or mist Remove old food & waste Advanced Animal care (1-3 times/week) (must be 18, or have been a prior Basic AC Volunteer for 1 year) Water change, mist, remove old food & waste Animal diet preparation Animal feeding Deep cleaning tanks  Visitor Services (must be 18) Greeting visitors Collecting surveys Maintaining nature center exhibits Maintain loaner program items (fishing poles, backpacks, etc)  Administrative (must be 18) Answer phones/greet visitors during staff meetings Print flyers, make copies  Grounds (can be under 18 with accompanying parent/guardian) Walking trails to remove trash Maintain outdoor play area Maintain gardens Maintain compost bins Refill/clean bird feeders Check/refill kiosks  Docent (weekends & special events) (must be 18) Trained in animal handling and interpretation Impromptu interpretation in & around nature center Campground visits Campfire programs Special events PR tables  Docent (weekdays) (must be 18) Trained in animal handling, school curriculum and interpretation Campground visits Assistance with: School programming at nature center Campfire programs Special events PR tables

Volunteers who register as Nature Center Assistants may assist in any or all of the following capacities: Animal Care Basic Animal Care (daily) (can be 14+) Water change and/or mist Remove old food & waste Advanced Animal care (1-3 times/week) (must be 18, or have been a prior Basic AC Volunteer for 1 year) Water change, mist, remove old food & waste Animal diet preparation Animal feeding Deep cleaning tanks  Visitor Services (must be 18) Greeting visitors Collecting surveys Maintaining nature center exhibits Maintain loaner program items (fishing poles, backpacks, etc)  Administrative (must be 18) Answer phones/greet visitors during staff meetings Print flyers, make copies  Grounds (can be under 18 with accompanying parent/guardian) Walking trails to remove trash Maintain outdoor play area Maintain gardens Maintain compost bins Refill/clean bird feeders Check/refill kiosks  Docent (weekends & special events) (must be 18) Trained in animal handling and interpretation Impromptu interpretation in & around nature center Campground visits Campfire programs Special events PR tables  Docent (weekdays) (must be 18) Trained in animal handling, school curriculum and interpretation Campground visits Assistance with: School programming at nature center Campfire programs Special events PR tables

Volunteers who register as Nature Center Assistants may assist in any or all of the following capacities: Animal Care Basic Animal Care (daily) (can be 14+) Water change and/or mist Remove old food & waste Advanced Animal care (1-3 times/week) (must be 18, or have been a prior Basic AC Volunteer for 1 year) Water change, mist, remove old food & waste Animal diet preparation Animal feeding Deep cleaning tanks  Visitor Services (must be 18) Greeting visitors Collecting surveys Maintaining nature center exhibits Maintain loaner program items (fishing poles, backpacks, etc)  Administrative (must be 18) Answer phones/greet visitors during staff meetings Print flyers, make copies  Grounds (can be under 18 with accompanying parent/guardian) Walking trails to remove trash Maintain outdoor play area Maintain gardens Maintain compost bins Refill/clean bird feeders Check/refill kiosks  Docent (weekends & special events) (must be 18) Trained in animal handling and interpretation Impromptu interpretation in & around nature center Campground visits Campfire programs Special events PR tables  Docent (weekdays) (must be 18) Trained in animal handling, school curriculum and interpretation Campground visits Assistance with: School programming at nature center Campfire programs Special events PR tables