NPS - National Park Service

01/17/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/17/2025 13:56

National Park Service seeks volunteers

News Release Date:
January 17, 2025

Contact: Pamela Barnes, 440-241-5857

BRECKSVILLE, Ohio-Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP) is hosting a volunteer open house on Saturday, February 8, 1-3:30 pm at Happy Days Lodge, located at 500 W. Streetsboro Road (Route 303), Peninsula, OH 44264.

Attendees can find out more about the following open opportunities:

  • Archeological Assistant: Both field and lab positions available. Field positions will monitor known archeological sites. Lab positions will organize and research various files and records.
  • Citizen Science: Work with park staff to monitor and survey numerous native plant and animal species throughout CVNP.
  • Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad: Be a part of the iconic events on the railroad. Opportunities exist for train crew: Trainmen, Concessionaires, Servers, Platform Attendants and Guest Ambassadors, Education Program Assistants, Maintenance and Mechanical Support.
  • Cycling School: Facilitate a biking experience for youth from the Cleveland and Akron areas. Assist with fitting bikes and helmets to youth, accompanying youth on a bike ride along the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, and ensuring safety.
  • Donor Garden: Tend to and maintain the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park donor garden by grooming, watering, and planting native species.
  • Environmental Education Center: Seeking volunteers interested in youth environmental education programming. Assist with Junior Ranger events and outdoor education programs.
  • First Ladies National Historic Site: Greet and engage with visitors of the site. Assist with youth historical interpretation.
  • Habitat Restoration: Assist with invasive plant management at park-selected sites. Work includes seed collection of native plants under supervision, planting native plants, and working in the park greenhouse.
  • James A. Garfield National Historic Site: Greet and engage with visitors of the site. Assist with youth historical education programming.
  • Junior Ranger Fishing Assistant: Assist staff leading public fishing programs primarily with youth. Assist with instructing participants on how to fish and fishing safety. Volunteers may also be needed to assist with equipment maintenance.
  • Rail Rover: Present informal interpretation aboard Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad on regularly scheduled runs. Distribute literature, share animal pelts, and answer questions about the national park.
  • Special Events Team: Assist with Cuyahoga Valley National Park Concert Series, Conservancy for CVNP programming, and other special events. Help with directing traffic flow in the parking lot, taking tickets, and answering visitor questions.
  • Trail Maintenance: Assist in building, maintaining, and improving the bike, hike, and horse trails in CVNP using hand tools and power equipment.
  • Trail Mix Shop Greeter: Assist retail staff in the operation of stores by providing excellent customer service, greeting visitors, and providing park information/orientation.
  • Visitor Center Assistant - Boston Mill, Canal Exploration Center, Hunt House: Assist rangers with the operation of the visitor center. Greet visitors, provide information/orientation and complete bookstore sales. Most work will be performed indoors in historic structures.
Contact the volunteer office at [email protected] or 440-717-3846, or visit our Volunteers-In-Parks (VIP) page for more information regarding these opportunities.
About the Volunteers-in-Parks (VIP) Program: CVNP's VIP program is co-managed by the National Park Service and the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Together, they accomplish park goals through mutually beneficial volunteer experiences and engage people in the park, building a community of park stewards. Currently, more than 5,000 VIPs donate more than 100,000 hours to provide the highest level of quality services to park visitors and to help protect America's heritage. To join these volunteers in making a difference at CVNP, contact the volunteer office at [email protected], 440-717-3846, or visit www.conservancyforcvnp.org. Many opportunities are available, and training is provided.

CVNP encompasses over 33,000 acres along the Cuyahoga River between Cleveland and Akron, Ohio. Managed by the National Park Service, CVNP combines cultural, historical, recreational, and natural resources in one setting. For more information, visit us at www.nps.gov/cuva, on Facebook, X, or Instagram, or call 440-717-3890.
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