Volunteer
Conservation Club.
Conservation Club is an opportunity for high school students to learn skills and career development from Metroparks Staff. Come trek into the wilds to learn current land management practices as well as participate in stewardship and restoration projects! Venture into the parks to learn how to build and maintain our public areas! Experience exciting outdoor recreational programs such as kayaking and tree climbing!
Being a Conservation club member is an excellent way to earn service hours, gain valuable hands-on career experience, and build friendships with others. It is also an excellent way to explore potential careers in Natural Resources, Park Services, and Outdoor Recreation.
Exciting Activities and Hands-on Experiences!
Conservation Club members help with a variety of activities including habitat restoration, tree planting, invasive species removal, building boardwalks, working on small engines, and more, all the while learning proper field techniques from Metroparks Natural Resources and Park Services Staff. Club members will also have opportunities to learn outdoor skills activities such as camping, tree climbing, and kayaking!
Commitment: Conservation Club will participate in 11 Conservation Club sessions beginning 2020 and ending in May 2021. Members are expected to attend at least 8 sessions to get the opportunity to go on the multi-day excursion offered at the end of the program.
Training: Metroparks provides on-site training for all Conservation Club members.
All applications are due by September 11, 2020.
2020 - 2021 Conservation Club Sessions Schedule
Job opportunity for Conservation Club Members
2020-2021 Conservation Club Sessions Schedule
As a reminder, Conservation club members must complete 8 of the following sessions to attend the Excursion trip.
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Date |
Topics |
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September 19, 2020 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. |
Meet and Greet. Get to know each other over campfire cooking and outdoor activities!
Meeting Location: Oak Openings Buehner Center: 5240 Wilkins Rd, Whitehouse, OH 43571 |
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October 10, 2020 9 a.m. - Noon |
Seeds of Power: The Importance of the Seed Nursery: Come join the Blue Creek Native Seed Nursery to learn about our planting process, a tour of our green houses, and help collect and process our native seed! Learn about the importance of this unique aspect of our Metroparks! Meeting Location: Blue Creek Native Seed Nursery: 7790 CO Rd 152, Whitehouse, OH 43571 |
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November 7, 2020 9 a.m. - Noon |
Frontline Defense: Fighting off Invasive Species Learn about invasive species, the threat they pose to Ohio’s natural areas and how the Metroparks works to fight their invasion! We will cover the importance of herbicide as well as other methods of control in our restoration and maintenance efforts.
Meeting Location: Blue Creek Glades Area: 7400 CO Rd 152, Whitehouse, OH 43571 |
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November 21, 2020 1 to 4 p.m. |
Bulls Eye! Archery with Programing – Alissa and Meredith Join our Outdoor Skills staff to learn the art of archery!
Meeting Location: Westwinds Metropark: 9918 Geiser Rd, Holland, OH 43528 |
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December 5, 2020 Noon - 3 p.m. |
Fly Ties and Other Knots Worth Knowing – Brandon and Alissa? Wither it is making your own fishing flies or securing your boat, knots are a useful skill to know! Learn what knots you should know and put your new found skills to the test!
Meeting Location: Swan Creek Metropark’s Yager Center: 4349 Airport Hwy., Toledo, Ohio 43615, at Wenz Rd. (between Eastgate and Byrne) |
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January 16, 2021 9 a.m. - Noon |
Ready, Set, GO! Keeping Your Small Engine Running.- Maintenance Staff and Alissa and Meredith Take a crash course in small engines. Learn how to start, operate, and maintain some of the power equipment essential to maintaining our park grounds and natural areas.
Meeting Location: Wildwood Preserve Maintenance Drive Entrance 5300 W. Central Ave, Toledo, OH 43615 |
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February 20th, 2021 9 a.m. - Noon |
Home Sweet Home: Bird Box Building – Brandon and Meredith Part one of a two part session: help support our native bird species and learn the basics of wood working and construction. We will go over the tools and supplies needed as well as some tricks of the trade or installation and increasing the chances of success.
Meeting Location: Wildwood Preserve Maintenance Drive Entrance 5300 W. Central Ave, Toledo, OH 43615. |
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March 6th, 2021 9 a.m. - Noon |
The Art of Interviewing and the Rangers of the Metroparks- Meredith, a ranger, Alissa and Brandon Learn from Metroparks Human Resources about the does and don’ts of professional interviewing. We will go over resumes, cover letters, applications, and references as well as provide an opportunity for a mock interview. Learn about some of the techniques that Park Rangers utilize to protect our visitors and natural resources. Use GPS devices to document mock encroachments and roll play communicating our conservation messages to “visitors” who break our rules.
Meeting Location: Wildwood Preserve Metroparks Hall: 5100 W Central Ave. Toledo, OH 43615 |
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March 20th, 2021 9 a.m. - Noon |
Home Sweet Home 2: Bird Box Installation – Brandon, Meredith, Alissa Part two of a two part session: help support our native bird species and assist in the installation of the bird boxes built previously. We will go over the tools and supplies needed as well as some tricks of the trade or installation and increasing the chances of success. Meeting Location: Swan Creek Glendale entrance- 4094 Glendale Ave, Toledo, OH 43614 |
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April 10th, 2021 9 a.m. - Noon |
UNLESS: Tree Planting and Reforestation – Brandon, Meredith, Alissa Meet our wonderful Natural Resources staff and help them in the 1 million tree initiative that Metroparks Toledo has taken part in. Learn proper planting techniques and the tools we use to help them thrive.
Meeting Location: Swan Creek- 3715 Airport Hwy., Toledo, OH 43615
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May 8th, 2021 9 a.m. - Noon |
Keeping Our Parks Clean, Safe, and Natural - From rivers to roadsides, learn from our natural resources and operations staff about what it takes to keep our parks clean, safe and natural.
Meeting Location: Pearson Maintenance/Rangers Office- 4600 Starr Ave, Oregon, OH 43616
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June 7th, 2021 6 - 8 p.m. |
Pre-Trip planning meeting We will be holding a planning meeting to go over the trip itinerary, packing list, and to provide for participants and parents to ask questions about our trip! This is mandatory for participants who are going on the trip.
Meeting Location: Virtual
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June 21-24, 2021 6/21 9 a.m. - 6/24 2 p.m. |
Hocking Hills: The End of the Year Excursion Join us for four awesome and adventure packed days in the scenic Hocking Hills. Explore the trails, kayak the waterways, soar through the tree tops on a zip line, and enjoy two nights of camping!
Meeting Location: Wildwood Preserve: 5100 W Central Ave. Toledo, OH 43615
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At the end of the Conservation Club year participants will have the opportunity to apply for a paid seasonal position as a Stewardship Worker with Metroparks Toledo. This position’s goal is to apply the knowledge and skills learned throughout the course of Conservation Club towards meaningful professional development.
Conservation Club Excursion
The Excursion
Conservation Club members who attend 8 of the offered sessions will be able to participate in a free multi-day excursion. This will be a chance to utilize the skills learned over the course of the year and to gain more knowledge about other area industries related to natural resource management and conservation as well as park management. Activities will include a mix of outdoor recreation and education opportunities.