Types of Volunteer Opportunities
The Jefferson Memorial Forest and Natural Areas Region of Metro Parks offer volunteer opportunities for those interested in helping Metro Parks meet its mission in the area of trails, land stewardship and nature-based programming. As part of our program, volunteers will make new friends and learn new skills while giving back to the community. For more information about volunteer opportunities with JMF and the Natural Areas of Metro Parks, please contact Sherry Wright at 502/380-1753 or sherry.wright@louisvilleky.gov.

Individuals as well as groups are welcome to participate in all project days.We’d like to know we’re expecting you! Please call or send an email to sherry.wright@louisvilleky.gov or forest@louisvilleky.gov. Please see the link to our project calendar in the yellow box, above right.

Trail Team

Trail Team members report trail conditions and perform trail construction and maintenance. Our Trail Team currently patrols and maintains more than sixty miles of trails within the Natural Areas Division of Metro Parks including Jefferson Memorial Forest and Waverly Park.

Other groups whose members are actively supporting trail improvements within the Natural Areas Region include the Kentucky Mountain Bike Association (KYMBA) and the Kentucky Trail Riders Association (KTRA). KYMBA has proven to be quite a force in helping to develop the trail system in Waverly Park, which is designed to accommodate hikers and mountain bikers. KTRA is in the beginning stage of working to develop a sustainable equestrian/hiking trail system in the Paul Yost section of JMF. At the end of 2008, JMF received a recreational trail grant that will allow us to redevelop the trail systems of both Waverly and Paul Yost. Our trail volunteers are an integral part of the plan to complete new and realigned trails in Waverly and Paul Yost.

Trail Team volunteers receive training in First Aid and CPR as well as trail construction and design, tool usage and other relevant training opportunities.

Land Stewards
Our newest volunteer group, the Land Stewards are Botanists-in-Action! These land management specialists maintain the natural beauty of our green spaces, aiding the Natural Areas Land Manager with environmental conservation issues for over 7,000 acres of Metro Parks. Activities include reforestation plantings, erosion control, protection of native flora, invasive plant removal, and other restoration pursuits.

Program Naturalists
Program Naturalists are those volunteers comfortable leading and teaching others. This engaging program allows volunteers to do everything from leading short hikes, interpreting information about the Forest, handling small education animals during program, animal care, and working with groups. Program Naturalists receive training in First Aid/CPR, program leading, and additional certifications required for specific programs.Program Naturalists are those volunteers comfortable leading and teaching others. This engaging program allows volunteers to do everything from leading short hikes, interpreting information about the Forest, handling small education animals during program, animal care, and working with groups. Program Naturalists receive training in First Aid/CPR, program leading, and additional certifications required for specific programs.

Troop #212 building a new bridge
near Shannon's Pond.

Scouts
There is a long tradition of scout involvement with the Forest. For twenty-five years, until 1989, the Boy Scouts of America managed the Horine Reservation, at which time it was incorporated into the Forest. Today, boy and girl scouts help the Forest through projects such as: gardening, painting, and constructing benches, bridges and signs.

Boy Scouts, also, are encouraged to pursue their Eagle Scout projects at Jefferson Memorial Forest.
Contact Sherry Wright, Volunteer Coordinator, for more information about Eagle Scout opportunities: 502/380-1753.

Available Eagle Scout projects:

• Build benches around campfire rings and two existing campsites. Benches to be modeled after existing benches at another site.

• Builld bird feeders for Environmental Education Center bird blind using those at Welcome Center as model and/or to supervisor's specs

• Create an 8 foot wide floating pier that extends 15 feet out over Shannon’s Pond and build access steps from dock

• Construct a covering of native grasses for the already built wigwam

• Build a sturdy workbench for Trail Crew. Scout needs to research plans and then submit design for review

• Improve Preschool Discovery Area by placing log borders and mulch, and building 2 small discovery tables (sample design offered, or scout can produce own)

• Design and build a Nature Art Table for the Preschool Discovery Area (Sample design is offered or create own)

• Build and place play platforms in the Preschool Discovery Area (sample design is offered, or create own)

• Design and place stepping log games for Preschool Discovery Area (sample design is offered)

• Build new trail at Waverly Park - distance depends on terrain/section

• Build new trail at Jefferson Memorial Forest - Paul Yost section - distance depends on terrain and section

Forest Ambassador
Volunteer to help out at special events, tours, camps and programs! For more opportunities see the box at top right.