Volunteer Opportunities at the Kalamazoo Nature Center

We need hundreds of volunteers and several interns every year to continue providing high quality opportunities for our members and visitors. Volunteer positions and internships at KNC are intended to be mutually beneficial: we further our mission of connecting people with nature and enjoy the benefits of your hard work and positive energy, and you receive education and experiences in a professional, natural setting, working closely with our world-class staff.

Volunteer opportunities are on a by-need basis and change dependent on the season. If you have specific questions about volunteer opportunities at the Kalamazoo Nature Center, please email:

Are you a current volunteer?

Click here to log your hours

Garlic Mustard is ready to be pulled!

Join the KNC Conservation crew for volunteer days every other Friday morning 9:00am-11:00am. Meet in the parking lot by the sun dial. Our staff will guide the group to a location to pull garlic mustard and assist with identification and management procedures. Open to all ages.
Please wear weather-appropriate clothes, bring a water bottle, and (optional) work gloves. We will have garbage bags and some gloves to borrow.
Garlic Mustard details
Every other Friday morning 9:00am-11:00am. Sign up on Volgistics.
April 26  |  May 10  |  May 24  |  June 7  |  June 21
Even if you cannot make it to the scheduled volunteer dates, please help us by pulling garlic mustard along the trail while you are hiking! Garlic mustard can continue growing even after it is pulled so, please place it at the designated drop locations as shown on the map and complete the form here to report date dropped and number of bags. Garbage bags can be picked up at the welcome station. Our staff will take care of disposal. See the attached for garlic mustard identification.
Contact for questions: Ryan Koziatek at 269-491-0488
Garlic Mustard Drop Off Location Map
Volunteer in the Hummingbird Butterfly Garden

Register as a Volunteer

The best way to keep up to date with our volunteer opportunities is by registering as a volunteer. Volunteer needs are on a by-need basis, meaning that when opportunities arise, our Volunteer Coordinator, Mariah Armstrong, reaches out to our volunteer base via email to recruit.  

All KNC volunteers are required to go through a background check.  

Register here >

Sugar Shack

Special Events

KNC hosts several special events throughout the year and we need volunteer help to make them happen. Volunteering at these events is a fun way to serve with friends or make new ones. This is perfect for students who need to meet service hours. Under 18 years of age? See our Youth Volunteering policy below.

Email with the subject line, Special Events, for details.

Sugarbush restoration

Bring a Group

We would love to host your organization, corporation or community group for a service project. We can work with you to find the perfect project that help us meet our mission and also creates an educational and fun day for your team. Group service projects can be any length of time that meets your needs. We welcome you to bring a picnic and stick around to enjoy the beautiful KNC grounds.

Email with the subject line, Bring a Group, for details.

River Guardians

Community Science

Community science is a collaboration between professional scientists and any member of the general public who is interested in protecting our environment. Through volunteering as a Community Scientist, people of all ages, experience levels, and interests work to help gather different kinds of data about nature.

Contact Jen Meilinger at or Learn more >

Current Volunteer Opportunities

SeedlingsDeLano Farm

Did you know that our Regenerative CSA Farm would not be successful without our volunteers? DeLano Farm hosts open volunteer hours on a weekly basis as well as hosting groups consistently. March-November our farmers are outside working with the land – come join us!  

River Guardians

Conservation & Ecological Services

Interested in learning more about Conservation/Ecological Service Volunteer Opportunities at KNC? Reach out to Abby Utterback with the subject line, CS Volunteer Opportunities, at

*this does not include trail maintenance 

Adam and Tukey

Animal Care Volunteers

Animal Care Volunteers are some of our most dedicated volunteers. If you are interested in being added to our waitlist for Animal Care openings, please email Mariah Armstrong with the subject line, Animal Care Waitlist, at  

Youth Volunteering

We love to have the young members of our community and families as volunteers! While not all jobs are appropriate for youth volunteers, we work to provide opportunities and experiences for them. Here are our policies for volunteers under age 18:

Children 13 years and younger must have parent/guardian:

  • Volunteer side by side together on an activity.
  • Parental supervision must be provided at all times.

Teens 14-16 years must have parent/guardian:

  • Commit to ensuring transportation for the volunteer.
  • Commit to training with the teen volunteer.
  • Continue to provide parental supervision to help ensure volunteer commitment is fulfilled.

Teens 16-18 years must have parent/guardian:

  • Sign all applicable paperwork.
  • Commit to ensuring transportation