Trails Open Daily 9am – 7:30pm

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Trails Open Daily 9am – 7:30pm

Bird Banding is cancelled Tuesday, September 15 due to weather.

Volunteer

At the Kalamazoo Nature Center, volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a wide variety of volunteer opportunities—some are one-time, some are ongoing, and some are perfect for individuals or groups. Because our needs change throughout the year, the best way to get involved is to reach out and learn about current opportunities. However you choose to give your time, your support is deeply valued and helps us connect people with nature every day.

These volunteer opportunities in Kalamazoo, MI 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?

Log Your Hours

invasive lanternflyHabitat Watch

Volunteers can help us keep an eye out for new pests and diseases that may impact the health of our habitats. Work will entail taking a hike on our trails and checking specific areas, key species, trees and vegetation for impacts from various pests and diseases and reporting back observations using an electronic form.
Learn More

Arboretum Garden Volunteers

Saturdays, 10 am – Noon

Enjoy gardening and creating room for native plants to flourish? Join KNC’s crew of gardeners! Over the summer, we provide care for the various gardens within KNC’s arboretum and grounds. Whether you’re an experienced green thumb or simply curious about gardening, all are welcome! 
 
How to Get Involved
volunteer holding garlic mustard

Register as a Volunteer

Registered volunteers gain access to KNC’s volunteer portal, where opportunities are listed as they become available. By registering, volunteers can opt in to receive the monthly volunteer announcement via email. This is the best way to learn about available opportunities.

Register Here
group of people sitting outside

Bring a Group

Organizations, corporations, and community groups are welcome to volunteer as a group. We can work with you to find the perfect project that help us meet our mission and also creates an educational and fun volunteer session for your team. We welcome you to bring a picnic and stick around to enjoy the beautiful KNC grounds.

Email  for details.

Current & Upcoming Volunteer Events
No event found!
From farm to forest, there's something for everyone!
Monarch butterfly on yellow goldenrod with research tag

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. 

Email for details.

Special Events

Volunteers make special events at KNC possible! Coming up, we encourage volunteer participation during the following events:

Raptor Run 5k - Saturday, October 17th
Tricks & Trails - Saturday, October 24th
trail going up stairs made of natural logs in fall

Land Stewardship

Land Stewardship is a wonderful opportunity for those comfortable with off trail conditions. Together, we tackle a variety of conservation projects based on ecological needs. Projects may involve invasive plant removal, caring for trails, or similar work.

We meet Thursdays from 9am-11am. Registration required. 

Email for details.   

Explore More at the Kalamazoo Nature Center!

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