Volunteers have always played an active role in caring for state nature preserves • We invite you to assist us in protecting nature preserves and endangered species • We will try to match your interests, availability and skills with our many needs • Please note that volunteers who sign formal volunteer agreements with the State are protected by Ohio Workers’ Compensation in case of an injury while performing volunteer duties at a preserve

Categories of volunteer activities include:

Work trips to preserves
- You can assist by removing invasive plants, repairing or constructing boardwalks, and assisting with special projects
- Organized groups can be scheduled on weekends to work in a preserve or individuals can sign up for scheduled work trips
- Work trips are usually planned months in advance but signing up a few days before a project is sometimes possible
- A schedule of planned work trips and/or a list of potential projects for groups is available from Nature Preserves-Volunteer Opportunities
Preserve Monitors
- DNAP needs reliable volunteers to monitor and help protect our nature preserves
- Most people who volunteer to assist with a specific nature preserve do so because they routinely visit it and appreciate its unique biodiversity
- If you want to assist but are unfamiliar with the nature preserve system, look at the list of preserves located near your home and visit them
- If you notice a problem, we would certainly appreciate you contacting us even if you haven’t formally signed up as a preserve monitor
- Contact us to discuss your interests and potential for assisting
General support and promotion
- Public support of the nature preserves program is critical to our mission and our continued existence
- DNAP would like to see a “friends group” created for every preserve
- Contact us to discuss ideas on how you can apply your skills to our many needs
- Not all volunteer opportunities involve fieldwork!