In August, UPCYCLE Stewards pose by a truck-load of invasive plants headed to the Blank Park Zoo. Removing invasive plants helps restore habitat around the lake and as an added bonus the zoo animals enjoy them after. Check out the coverage on
Iowa Outdoors this summer.
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Various Locations
September 10 5:00-7:00
September 11 5:00-7:00
September 14 12:00-2:00
*Approximately 45 min. of additional training (online or in person and travel time needed to get to site)
Want to support trails? Enjoy a couple hours enjoying the fresh air along one of our many trails or street corridors next week!
The National Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation Project (Bike Ped) needs more helpers to hand out survey slips and tally bikers and pedestrians in our City. This information helps us get millions of dollars in grant money for trails!
All supplies and training are provided. Volunteers can earn $10 as Bike Ped Bucks as a thank you OR sign-up for multiple shifts and receive a FREE 2020 Mayor's Annual Ride and Run registration.
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Greenwood Park
September 11 10:30 a.m.-Noon
Central Library
September 17 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Help children and families learn more about the Monarch butterfly and what they can do to help stop it from becoming endangered!
Volunteers will assist our Naturalist, Joel Van Roekel, at monarch tagging events in our community including tag, catching and releasing monarchs, hosting the monarch obstacle course game, engaging customers and assisting staff with clean-up.
BACKGROUND CHECK REQUIRED
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PROTECTING OUR
COMMUNITY'S HISTORY
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Woodland Cemetery
2019 Woodland Avenue
Thurs. & Fri. Shifts Available:
9:00-Noon & 12:30-3:30
September 19, 20
September 26, 27
October 3, 4
Woodland Cemetery, a local historical landmark, is rich with diversity. Walking through the cemetery is like walking through Des Moines’ history with names like Hoyt, Sherman, Brody, Younker, Polk, Hubbell and more. Now, 600 volunteers are needed to protect the memories and history within this cemetery!
Over the years, dirt, lichens and time have taken a toll on the stones. A generous gift from the community is allowing us to lift, straighten and secure monuments that have shifted over time. Volunteers will gently clean the stones. All training & supplies are provided.
*Note: If your company/organization is unable to sign-up via Volunteer Local, please feel free to email us at parksvolunteer@dmgov.org.
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BONUS!! Volunteers that donate 8 hrs or more in our cemeteries in 2019 are invited to a private behind-the-scenes Woodland walking tour led by local historian Archie Cook.
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Gray's Lake Park
September 19
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Help us improve our water quality, diversify our woodlands and UPCYCLE our invasive plant species into food and fun for Blank Park Zoo’s birds, reptiles, primates and mammals.
Volunteers, age 14 and older, will be trained to use loppers and hand saws to cut and drag out unwanted plants. Please wear close-toed shoes or work boots and long pants to protect yourself.
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*BONUS: The first 30 adults get a free drink afterwards courtesy of Confluence Brewing next door!
Want to learn more? Check out our video on
IPTV.
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NATIONAL PUBLIC
LANDS DAY
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Fourmile Community Recreation Center
3711 Easton Boulevard
September 28
10:00 a.m.-NOON
National Public Lands Day is the largest single-day volunteer effort for America’s public lands. Each year, hundreds of thousands of volunteers come together to assist with various projects designed to restore and enhance public parks, forests, waterways and more.
We invite the public to join us along Fourmile Creek to celebrate National Public Lands Day. This year’s national theme is connecting to nature through service. Together, we will celebrate restoring our watershed, improving outdoor recreation opportunities and building community by sweeping the creek and adjacent trails and greenway of litter. So bring your friends and family to celebrate National Public Lands Day and Get Outdoors DSM!
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National Public Lands Day Des Moines is hosted by the City of Des Moines Parks and Recreation Department, Polk County Conservation, Polk Soil and Water Conservation District, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation and supporting business REI West Des Moines.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE
September 21
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Lokus Ngo and the Watchman Community Center youth for cleaning up Prospect Park. John Deere NEON and JOPPA for cleaning sections of trail along the Des Moines River. You make DM more beautiful each day!
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UPCYCLE volunteers for removing invasive plants and opening up the view of Gray's Lake. A warm welcome to the Wisconsin Alumni who joined us for the first time too!
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To all the Nature Trail Running Series participants, our Fleet Feet partners and volunteer trail leaders Jason, Jordan, Dana and Jeff for helping get people outdoors.
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River Run Garbage Grab volunteers for cleaning our rivers and creeks. You removed thousands of pounds of trash from our waterways!
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...ALSO big thanks to Archie Cook, Jason Hemmer and the Polk County youth, Bridges of Iowa and those that continue to help at our cemeteries with walking tours, monument restoration, stone raising and more. We appreciate it!
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OPPORTUNITIES FROM OUR PARTNERS
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Our partners at DMARC Mobile Food Pantry needs volunteers to help move the food! Sign-up to help distribute food at our Fourmile Community Recreation Center or any of their locations. Click Move the Food to view openings.
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