Volunteers help in every area of Meadowside whether it’s on the floor greeting the public, behind the scenes caring for animals, or outside working in our gardens. Individuals, scout groups, high school students needing to fulfill Student Service Learning (SSL) hours, and businesses are all welcome.
For any questions about volunteering at Meadowside Nature Center, please email volunteer.mnc@montgomeryparks.org. Note that during COVID-19, volunteer opportunities are limited. For more options, visit the Montgomery Parks Volunteer website.
Individual Opportunities
Trail Steward (currently closed)
Do you enjoy talking to people about nature and offering guidance while you hike Rock Creek Park trails? This position will interact with the visiting public and provide informal natural resources interpretation and record visitor statistics. In addition, Trail Steward volunteers will help the nature facilities by monitoring trails on a regular basis. Stewards will report unsafe conditions such as fallen trees, washed out trails, vandalism, and areas in need of litter pick-up and/or maintenance.
Eagle Scout Projects (currently closed)
Please contact the volunteer coordinator for Eagle Scout project opportunities at Meadowside Nature Center.
Gardener (open after winter)
Do you have a green thumb? Meadowside Nature Center has several native plant gardens that require regular upkeep, and we need your help! Volunteers will assist with maintaining the gardens by weeding, watering, deadheading, preparing garden beds, mulching, and general clean-up. The work is physical but rewarding! Native plant gardens help our visitors learn what a balanced ecosystem looks like, and how pretty they can be (with YOUR help!).
- Minimum age: 16 years old
- Seasonal work
- Background screening required
Animal Care (currently closed)
The Nature Center maintains a variety of resident animals on display and to assist with interpretive programs. These include live reptiles and invertebrates. Each of these creatures has special needs and is cared for daily with the help of volunteers. In addition to indoor animal care, the position assists in filling/maintaining outdoor wildlife feeders and birdbaths.
- Minimum age: 16 years old
- Must be able to commit to at least a 2-hour shift
- Background screening required
Nature Center host (currently closed)
Nature Hosts are people oriented and take pride in their role as representatives of the Montgomery County Parks Department. Hosts greet the public, answer questions, check people in for programs, and answer telephone calls. They may also be asked to occasionally help with office work, program preparation, and straightening up of exhibits as needed.
- Minimum age: 16 years old
- Must be able to commit to at least a 2-hour shift
- Background screening required
Invasive plant removal for projects for individuals (currently closed)
Invasive plants (aka Non-Native Invasive Species (NNIS) present one of the greatest threats to the health and biodiversity of our parks. By taking over the areas around our Nature Center, the plants are removing the food source and habitat for our native plants and animals. With your help, we can remove these plants and restore the habitat! We are looking for groups or individuals. We will train you to identify the good plants and the bad. This would be a great team building activity and learning opportunity for you and/or your group!
- Minimum volunteer age: 16 years old – Volunteers under 16 can come if supervised by an adult.
- Training occurs on site.
Group Opportunities
Invasive plant removal projects for groups (currently closed)
Invasive plants (aka Non-Native Invasive Species (NNIS) present one of the greatest threats to the health and biodiversity of our parks. By taking over the areas around our Nature Center, the plants are removing the food source and habitat for our native plants and animals. With your help, we can remove these plants and restore the habitat! We are looking for groups or individuals. We will train you to identify the good plants and the bad. This would be a great team building activity and learning opportunity for you and/or your group!
- Minimum volunteer age: 16 years old – Volunteers under 16 can come if supervised by an adult.
- Training occurs on site.
Special Event Opportunities
Check back for special event opportunities.