Volunteer at Chippewa Nature Center

Volunteers are an integral part of Chippewa Nature Center. We offer a variety of volunteer opportunities for members to share their time and expertise throughout the year. A person can come alone, with their spouse or entire family. Scout groups and service clubs are nearly always a part of our festivals!

Current Volunteer Opportunities

Green Thumbs Needed at the Homestead
 Calling all gardeners! Plans are taking shape for the heirloom vegetable garden at the Homestead Farm. Seeds for pumpkins and watermelons, potatoes and onions, pole beans and other plants will soon be here, ready for school children to plant this spring. What we REALLY need are volunteers to help weed, water and tend our heirloom vegetables and flower beds throughout the summer months! If you’re interested in helping out (and taking home some of the produce) please contact Kyle Bagnall at 631-0830 or by email.

Become a Homestead Volunteer
 If you enjoy learning historical skills and stories, playing old-time games and sharing your knowledge with others, we need you! From May 30 – September 5 volunteers at the Homestead Farm will greet visitors, lead activities and demonstrate historic skills on Sunday afternoons. An orientation training is scheduled for the evening of May 18 at 6:30pm. For more information, please contact Kyle Bagnall at 631-0830 or by email.

 Exotic Plant Pulls
 Sat, 5/1/10 - 10 am-12 pm
Wed, 5/5/10 - 4-6 pm

Help control invasive exotic plants at the Nature Center! We will focus on pulling garlic mustard, a very aggressive plant invading our woodland understory that can crowd out spring beauty, Dutchman's breeches and trillium. Our objective is to remove garlic mustard from especially sensitive areas before it completely takes over. Meet at the Temporary Visitor Center. Gloves will be provided. If weather conditions are unfavorable the cleanup will be canceled. Please contact Phil Stephens by email or by calling 989-631-0830 if you plan to come.

River Cleanup Workday
Sat, 7/17/10 - 9 am-1:30 pm

Here's your chance to help keep our local rivers clean. In past years, we've pulled out tractor tires, bottles and car parts. Bit by bit, the rivers appear to be getting cleaner. We'll use a combination of wading and canoeing. If you are interested in helping clean a section of the Pine or Chippewa River, contact Phil Stephens by July 12 by email or by calling 989-631-0830.

Volunteer Opportunities Overview

 If you are interested in learning more about some of the volunteer opportunities listed below, or you would like to discuss other ways of volunteering, please contact Cathy Devendorf, Director of Volunteers and Outreach via email or at 989.631.0830.

Special Events
If you like to volunteer but can’t make a long term commitment, this may be perfect for you.  You can assist with activities, work the admission gate and help set up or clean up.  Shifts vary in length and are mostly on weekends or in the evenings. You can volunteer once a year or at all of our events!

Stewardship
Do you want to spend time outdoors while you volunteer? With nearly 1,400 acres, we frequently have opportunities for you to work outside and help maintain CNC.  We have “exotic invasive” removal days, trail work and other clean up projects of varying lengths of time.  Often, they are several hours in one day, but others are shorter in duration.  


Special Projects
Do you have a skill that you want to share? Call and let’s talk about how we can put it to good use.  We have people who do clerical tasks, take photographs, among other things.  You can participate once or be part of an ongoing project.  


Homestead Volunteers
The Homestead is open May – September and we rely on volunteers to greet visitors, lead historic crafts/activities, work in the gardens or demonstrate historic skills. Don’t worry – you don’t have to be old enough to remember them from your own childhood!  An orientation is offered prior to the season, then ongoing “on the job” training.  There are also reference materials available to help you.  Volunteers must commit to working 5 times over the season (once every three weeks), but can work more if they like.

Counselor-in-Training (CIT)
For teens who have completed 9th grade and who are interested in working with children outdoors, CIT opportunities are available.  All training is provided and CITs are asked to make at least a two week commitment.  We accept CIT applications between January and April of each year.

Board of Directors


Jenifer Kusch, President
Retired, The Dow Chemical Company
Barbara Anderson, 1st Vice President
Dow Corning Corporation
Anne Haines, 2nd Vice President
Retired, The Dow Chemical Company
Bill Lauderbach, Treasurer
Retired, Chemical Bank and Trust Company
Marc Snyder, Secretary
Retired, The Dow Chemical Company


Adam Bruski - Lambert, Leser, Isackson, Cook & Giunta, P.C.
Judy Firenze - Coleman Community Schools
Dr. Tracy Galarowicz - Central Michigan University
Chris Gaumer - City of Midland
Dale Laughner - Bullock Creek Schools
Janet Martineau - Retired, The Saginaw News
Dr. Marianne McKelvy -The Dow Chemical Company
Lois Ann Reed - Community Volunteer