Natural Resources Volunteers

Volunteer with Saint Paul Natural Resources

Each year, more than 3,000 volunteers help to improve and conserve Saint Paul's natural areas and keep our parks and gardens healthy and beautiful.

If you enjoy being outside, taking care of our environment, and care about Saint Paul, you should consider joining our welcoming community of volunteers. We have a variety of ways to volunteer and we hope you will find a role that fits your needs, whether you have two hours or a lifetime to give.

Supporters

We are grateful for support from the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment.

Volunteer Opportunities

About Natural Resources Volunteer Events
Our events consist of various activities helping to enhance natural areas in Saint Paul parks. Please read the description in the registration for more information.
Individuals or small groups. All ages are welcome but may be best suited for ages 8 and up. Some events require you to navigate uneven terrain. If you need accommodations, please contact us at environment@ci.stpaul.mn.us.
Register for Volunteer Events
Pre-registration is required. Please sign all members up, including children as our spaces are limited. If a session is full, please keep checking back to see if any spots open up.
Register for Volunteer Events
Volunteers greatly increase the reach and efficiency of our gardening, forestry, environmental, and environmental education programs. Check out our regular openings below to find one that interests you or your small group.
Become an Ongoing Volunteer
1. Apply
2. Meeting with the volunteer coordinator (phone or in person)
3. Sign a waiver and/or agreement form. Certain positions may require a training or orientation.
4. Start volunteering!
West Area Application Central Area Application East Area Application
Ongoing Volunteer Roles
All volunteer positions require a commitment of one growing season (April through October).
- Full for 2024: COMO WOODLAND OUTDOOR CLASSROOM STEWARDS are individuals and small groups who are dedicated to preserving, protecting and restoring natural areas and vital ecosystems. They adopt a parcel of land in the Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom in Como Regional Park. We provide the training in March or April and tools needed.
- GARDEN STEWARDS are individuals and groups who care for the many gardens in Saint Paul by planting, weeding, mulching and providing general garden maintenance. We have garden location all over Saint Paul.
- PARK STEWARDS are individuals and small groups who assist in the upkeep and general beautification of Saint Paul's parks and trails.
- Full for 2024: RESTORATION SUPERVISORS work closely with staff to help improve and maintain areas of high ecological significance in Saint Paul, mostly working at Wakáŋ Tipi/Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary. Restoration Supervisors assist with supervising volunteers during public habitat restoration events. Required training will take place in May.
- SEED SQUAD (Fall only) volunteers are individuals or small groups who harvest native seed from some of our highest quality natural areas. The collected seed will later be sown and/or propagated and planted to increase plant diversity for wildlife and pollinators. This role usually takes place in the fall during one-time events.
- Full for 2024: BLUEBIRD TRAIL STEWARD is an individual or a small group who monitor Bluebird nest boxes, remove non-native bird species, record and report bird fledged, species, etc.
Hosting a group volunteer event with Saint Paul Natural Resources
We are excited to work with you and tailor your private service learning to fit the needs of your group. All groups' activities take place between April and October. During your event we will have trained staff onsite and provide tools.
Youth volunteer groups
Groups with youth volunteers (under 18) must meet the requirements below:
1. Volunteers need to be in fifth grade or older.
2. Meet the Saint Paul Natural Resources youth-to-adult ratio requirements.
  Grades 5-8: 10 students to 1 adult
  Grades 9-12: 15 students to 1 adult
3. Understand that your group or organization is responsible for youth participating in the project at all times.
4. Collect parental/guardian consent that allows youth under the age of 18 to participate in events such as a Saint Paul Natural Resources volunteer project.
Submit a request to host a group volunteer event
1. Submit request below
2. Projects must be requested at least THREE weeks prior to the requested date(s)
3. Plan project with volunteer coordinator
4. Understand that the volunteer project will take place rain or shine, but may be canceled for severe weather
5. Sign waiver
6. Volunteer!
Group Request Form
This page contains information for existing Saint Paul Natural Resources volunteers.
Thank you for the incredible work you do to help us make Saint Paul the most livable city in America. Here, you will find important information to guide you in your volunteer work.
Reporting Your Hours
Reporting your volunteer hours and your impact (if applicable) is crucial to the volunteer program. It allows us to illustrate some of the measurable impact of the work you have done for the City. You can report your hours in two different ways.
1. Log into your CERVIS, an online volunteer database. Your email login is the same email you provided on your volunteer application.
2. Emailing volunteer hours to the volunteer coordinator. Please email volunteer hours and location(s) as often as possible, at a minimum, please email monthly reports.
Annual Renewal
Volunteer Assignments expire each year on December 31st. For returning volunteers, you need to fill sign a Volunteer Waiver in order to renew your volunteer position for the current year. Reminder emails will be sent out to all current volunteers.
Volunteer Resources
- Maps of Saint Paul parks
- How to Log Hours and Impact (PDF)
- Restoration Supervisor Resources
- EcoSteward Condition Report Form
- Plant Identification (PDF)
Professional Development
Environmental Training Videos
Volunteer Waivers
A waiver needs to be filled out and submitted before volunteering with Saint Paul Parks and Recreation. Once you are approved to volunteer this waiver can also be emailed to you.