Iowans are invited to lend a hand at a state park or forest on Saturday, Sept. 26 for Statewide Volunteer Day! Clean-up efforts will be unique for each park depending on needs, and may include litter pick-up, staining or painting buildings, removing invasive plant species, rebuilding picnic tables, trail maintenance, and more. Thanks for making a difference!
Event information for participating parks and forests:
List items for Volunteer Day 2026 - Event Information
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Meeting Location: Butterfly garden parking lot
Park Address: 24668 Hwy 52. Bellevue, Ia. 52031 (Nelson Unit)
Description: Fall Preparation - picking up trash, winterizing the butterfly garden, splitting firewood.
What to Bring: Bring gloves, gardening tools, rakes, shovels, long sleeves, pants and drinks.
Contact: Elli Lineburg, Park Manager, at [email protected], phone 563-872-4019
September 20, 2026 from 1:00 – 4:00 PM
Please note: this event is the week prior to the statewide volunteer day date.
Meeting Location: Blackburn Gazebo
Address: 1291 Cemetery Road, Thurman Iowa
Description: Planting shrubs, staining park infrastructure, general cleanup
What to Bring: Sturdy foot wear, long pants and gloves recommended.
Contact: If you plan to attend, please call in advance to the Park office (712) 326-2786, or email: [email protected]
8:00 AM – Noon
Meeting Location: Campground Check-in Station
Address: 811 146th Avenue, Knoxville, IA 50138
Description: Grab a trash bag at the campground check in station, then hike your favorite trail and pick up and trash along the way. You can leave what you find at campground and staff will take care of the trash.
What to Bring: Sturdy foot wear for hiking and water.
Contact: If you have questions, contact the Park Office at (641) 842-6008.
10:00 AM - Noon Meeting Location: Park Office Address: 3333 Racine Ave. Danville, IA 52623 Description: Park pick-up activities led by the Friends of Geode State Park. What to Bring: Sturdy foot wear, gloves, safety glasses, sunscreen, and water.
Contact: Please call the park office if planning to attend at (319) 392-4601.
10:00 AM - Noon
Meeting Location: Park Office
Address: 3333 Racine Ave. Danville, IA 52623
Description: Park pick-up activities led by the Friends of Geode State Park.
What to Bring: Sturdy foot wear, gloves, safety glasses, sunscreen, and water.
Contact: Please call the park office if planning to attend at (319) 392-4601.
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Meeting Location: Main Boat Ramp
Address: 12194 Honey Creek Pl, Moravia, IA 52571
Description: Help paint staircase railing at main Boat Ramp.
What to Bring: Wear clothes suitable for painting.
Contact: Call Park Office at (641) 724-3739 or email: [email protected]
9:00 AM – Noon
Meeting Location: Park Office
Address: 22895 Lacey Trail, Keosauqua, IA 52565
Description: Park clean-up activities such as litter pick-up and natural resource work. Lunch will be provided at noon.
What to Bring: Wear long sleeves and sturdy shoes, dress for the weather.
Description: Quick trash pickup from beach to south boat ramp along the shoreline. Also pick up trash on silt pond dams and main lake dam. Trash bags will be at the park office. Stop and grab a few and then clean your spot.
What to Bring: Sturdy shoes, dress for the weather.
Park Address: 111 Lake Darling Rd, Brighton, IA 52540
Project Description: For anyone 12 and older, we will be staining picnic tables and benches at the Cottonwood shelter. For kids under 12, we will have our naturalist lead a trash pickup nearby.
What to Bring: Wear old clothes appropriate for painting. Dress for the weather.
Contact: RSVP attendance in advance by calling the park office (319) 694-2323, or emailing: [email protected]
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Meeting Location: Park Office
Park Address: 2720 Keomah Lane, Oskaloosa, IA 52577
Project Description: Cut and remove invasive locust saplings from prairie areas.
What to Bring: Sturdy shoes, long pants, bring loppers or pruners if you have them. Dress for the weather.
Project Description: This year we will be joining forces with the Boy Scouts of America on an Eagle Scout project. We will be clearing invasive honeysuckle from a section of shoreline along the Beach to Dam trail near the west end of the trail (closest to the Macbride Dam). There will also be a crew placing riprap armament along the shoreline and adding crushed limestone surface material.
What to Bring: Old clothes, sturdy gloves, loppers or pruners if you have them (we have limited supply to provide to volunteers), water bottle. Snacks will be provided.
Description It is undisputed that the beauty and diversity of the natural resources at Ledges State Park are what make this place so unique. The biggest threat to the forest health at Ledges is the encroachment of invasive species. Please consider helping park staff and the Friends of the Ledges by eradicating some of these non-native forest invaders! At this volunteer event you'll learn more about the threat of invasive species while gaining hands-on experience cutting, dragging, and piling these woody intruders. Not only will you leave with an expanded knowledge of invasive species identification and removal tactics, but you'll gain the satisfaction of seeing real progress in an effort to increase the forest health of one of our most iconic state parks!
What to Bring: All ages are welcome, but please be aware the nature of the project requires participants to use loppers and pruning shears to cut up to 2" diameter woody plant stems and drag cut shrubs that may have small thorns. Please bring drinking water, sunscreen, and bug spray. Please consider wearing long pants, closed toed shoes/boots, long sleeves, and bringing a pair of work gloves. Volunteer liability waivers will need to be completed prior to engagement in any state park volunteer activity. Waivers will be available the day of the project or you can request one in advance by emailing the park at [email protected].
Meeting Location: Check in at 9:45 a.m. at Site 48 at the campground
Park Address: 2148 340th Street. Forest City, IA 50436
Description: Cleaning up the campground for winter (picking up sticks, litter clean up, fire ring cleaning) and splitting wood.
What to Bring: Work clothes, closed toed shoes, rakes, and gloves
Contact: Call the park office at 641-581-4835 or email [email protected]
10:00 AM - Noon
Meeting Location: Campground near the north shower building.
Park Address: 22390 Co Rd S56, Eldora, IA 50627
Description: In the spring of 2025, bare-root oak trees were planted and protected with tree tubes. For this volunteer project, we will inspect the tubes, clear surrounding debris, and remove invasive species to support the successful establishment of the trees.
What to Bring: We will be walking in tall grass/ woody areas so please bring work clothes, gloves, water, long pants, close toed shoes.
Interested in volunteering? We would love to have you join us!
Volunteers are vital to the Iowa DNR's mission! Giving 150,000+ hours annually, these amazing folks help us educate the next generation of outdoor leaders, monitor our waterways and natural areas, ensure our state parks are welcoming, thriving places to visit, and a whole lot more.
Our volunteers come from all walks of life and each person's unique experience adds to our programming. If you have an interest in the outdoors and want to make a difference, please inquire with us! If you don't see an opportunity that fits your expertise or interest, please feel free to contact us .
Volunteers are needed to assist with Springbrook, Walnut Woods, and Lake Anita state parks programming. Ideal volunteers would have a teaching or science background and enjoy leading natural resources educational offerings and outdoor skills training, primarily for children.
Volunteers are needed at Springbrook to assist with school groups on weekdays in April and May. Summer programming assistance is required at all three parks on weekdays and weekends. Flexible hours, candidates must be able to pass a background check.
Formal or Informal Educators interested in environmental training, learning, or volunteering we want to work with you! The Iowa DNR has a variety of programs, curriculums, and guides to help engage students with outdoor concepts and recreation. Opportunities exist statewide depending on need and time of year.
List items for Volunteer Opportunities with Iowa State Parks
Iowa state parks and forests rely on individual and group volunteers to help keep them thriving and welcoming places to visit.
Volunteers help with numerous projects throughout the year, including trail work, invasive species removal, painting, park clean-up, tree trimming, prairie seed harvesting, and much more. Every park has unique needs with various time slots available to meet your schedule.
Campground hosting is one of the most popular volunteer opportunities at Iowa State Parks.
Giving 60,000+ hours annually, these hosts help us achieve our mission of promoting use and appreciation for Iowa state parks. They also provide memorable recreational and educational experiences to the many visitors that come to enjoy our natural areas!
What is a Campground Host? A campground host is a person or couple that lives in a state park for an extended period of time (usually April through October), assisting our park staff in campground and light park operations. These volunteers help visitors by providing park information, answering questions, and explaining rules. Hosts are provided a designated host campsite and available utilities during their volunteer service.
As a host, you will be joining a supportive community of volunteers and staff who serve the public and our state lands.
Volunteer "Job" Description (duties will vary based on the park's needs):
Work with DNR staff to ensure that campers have the best experience possible in Iowa’s state parks
Provide a welcoming presence in our campgrounds
Interact with park visitors to provide park information, answer questions, and explain general rules.
Perform various park cleaning and beautification duties, including cleaning restrooms
Details & More Information: To apply to be a campground host at a park, download, complete, and submit a campground host application (1.09 MB) .pdf highlighting what park you prefer. Once applications are reviewed, if an opening is available, interviews will be scheduled by park managers and rangers.
For more information, please call 641-220-9126 or contact your local DNR park, forest or preserve.
Luckily, Iowa's beloved state parks and other public lands have a wealth of good friends - dedicated volunteers who raise funds, make park improvements and otherwise give support through our many "friends groups."
Across Iowa, these coalitions of concerned citizens work alongside park staff to improve, protect and preserve state parks, lakes, aquariums and other treasured natural resources. You're welcome to be a part of it!
Start, join, or donate to a friends group and help care for and give back to your favorite natural area.
Friends groups lend support to their park in a variety of ways:
Fundraising/outreach, including: working locally to encourage businesses, civic groups and individuals to get involved with and contribute financially to their state parks, monuments, historic sites and trails.
Building/facility improvement projects, including: trail work, building and restoring picnic tables or trail benches, creating play areas, and maintaining picnic shelters.
Land stewardship projects, including: planting trees, harvesting prairie seed, and removing invasive plants.
Educational/interpretive projects, including: helping park visitors better understand the park (like its sensitive ecosystems and unique points of interest)
Find a Group: More than 30 state parks currently have active friends groups. Visit our individual park pages to find contact information for current friends groups.
Start a Group: Have you noticed there's no friends group at your favorite park? If you are serious about starting a Friend's Group (considered a separate nonprofit entity from the park), the first step is to contact the park staff to inform them of your interest.
Backbone Lake Friends, Inc.
Beeds Lake
*George Wyth-Cedar Trails Partnership
High Lakes Outdoor Alliance (Green Valley)
*McIntosh Woods-The Association for Preservation of Clear Lake
*Rock Creek Lake Alliance
Friends of Bellevue State Park
Friends of Bixby State Preserve
Friends of Cedar Rock
Friends of Elk Rock
Friends of Fort Atkinson
Friends of Fort Defiance
Friends of Geode
Friends of Lacey-Keosauqua
Friends of Lake Anita
Friends of Lake Darling
Friends of Lake Manawa
Friends of Lake Wapello
Friends of the Ledges
Friends of Loess Hilss State Forest
Friends of Maquoketa Caves
Friends of the Mines of Spain
Friends of Palisades Kepler
Friends of Pikes Peak
Friends of Pilot Knob
Friends of Pine Creek Grist Mill
Friends of Pine Lake
Friends of Prairie Rose
Friends of Shimek State Forest
Friends of Stone State Park
*Lake & Park Holding Corporation-Union Grove
Friends of Viking Lake
Friends of Volga River State Recreation Area
Friends of Waubonsie
Friends of Yellow River State Forest
*Partners, unofficial Friends, 501c3 status as official Friends of State Park, 501c3 affiliated with other non-profit
Additional Resources:
Larned A. Waterman Center at the University of Iowa is a non-profit resources center with free information, newsletters and expertise for non-profits.
The State Lands Volunteer Program allows select nonprofit organizations and individuals providing services on behalf of them to be eligible for liability protection under Iowa Code chapter 669 (Iowa Tort Claims Act) while performing qualifying volunteer services for the DNR. These nonprofit organizations and the individuals providing services on their behalf are considered state volunteers while providing authorized volunteer services for no compensation.
Who can participate? For the purpose of this program a volunteer means an organization incorporated under Iowa Code chapter 504 as a nonprofit organization, or an individual providing services on behalf of the nonprofit organization, that provides volunteer services for the benefit of lands under the jurisdiction of the department and that registers as a volunteer under this program. A volunteer may include a friends group or organization as defined in rule 571—14.1(461A). A volunteer shall not include an organization or individual that operates a concession operation as defined in rule 571—14.1(461A), unless that concession operation remits all receipts and returns all net proceeds after qualifying expenses from such operations to the department for the benefit of the state parks system or otherwise procures goods or services for the benefit of the DNR.
What are qualifying volunteer services? Qualifying volunteer services are, unless otherwise specified, limited to activities undertaken on lands under the jurisdiction of the DNR to benefit such lands. Volunteer services do not include any administrative functions of a nonprofit organization registered under this program. Some of the most common types of volunteer services include organized work days, special events, and concession operations.
All submitted registration forms will be reviewed by the DNR to determine whether the registrant will be designated a volunteer under this program. The DNR will evaluate the volunteer’s ability to perform the services, the DNR’s identified need for such services, and the DNR’s ability to manage the volunteer’s proposed activities, if applicable.
DNR will issue an authorization letter to those registrants who will be admitted to the program. The authorization letter will state the terms of the registrant’s participation in the program. The DNR may authorize the registrant’s proposed activities in part and deny them in part and may provide reasons for any program denials. Registration must be renewed every other year or as soon as substantial changes are planned to the approved services contained in the authorization letter, whichever occurs first.
To inquire about state park volunteer opportunities:
Contact your favorite state park or forest to inquire about opportunities. Find state park listings and contact information on individual park web pages.
The all-terrain vehicle program in Iowa currently does not offer in-person classes and is not seeking volunteer instructors at this time.
Volunteer Instructors are vital to the DNR Boater Education Program. The goals of the program are to make Iowa's waterways safe through education, promote boater education in the schools, train volunteer instructors, and provide safe recreational opportunities on Iowa's lakes and rivers.
The snow groomer operator program is implemented by the Iowa State Snowmobile Association (ISSA). For more information on how to become a certified groomer operator, please visit the Iowa State Snowmobile Association's trail grant program .
Since the inception, the Hunter Education Program has been primarily taught by volunteer instructors. Its purpose is to provide a quality program of instruction and training in hunter safety education for the young hunter in Iowa. Individuals who successfully complete this course are not expected to be expert hunters or marksmen. They are expected to have a better understanding of the responsibilities that go with the use of firearms.
Other opportunities exist as bowhunter and furharvester education volunteers and mentors. Find out more by reviewing our Hunter Ed Instructor information.
The shooting sports programs in Iowa are primarily coached by volunteer instructors. For more information on becoming a shooting sports certified instructor please visit the links below.
Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP)
Iowa Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP)
Iowa Archery in the Schools Program (NASP)
The snowmobile program in Iowa currently does not offer in-person classes and is not seeking volunteer instructors at this time.
Iowa's locally-led volunteer water quality monitoring program empowers watershed and conservation groups to take a proactive approach to water quality. By engaging volunteers to monitor water quality in their project areas, they can ensure the protection, longevity and productivity of high quality water resources, as well as evaluate, assess, and improve those of lower quality.
The Volunteer Wildlife Monitoring Program (VWMP) is for enthusiastic and sharp-eyed, sharp-eared volunteers who have a passion for wildlife and its conservation. With more than 800 species in our state, the wildlife staff cannot possibly keep track of all these critters in every corner of the state. We need volunteers that are willing and interested in collecting data on two important and sensitive groups of wildlife.
