Johnson County Conservation offers a mix of individual and group volunteer opportunities. Projects primarily center on environmental education, citizen science, and restoration tasks.

Volunteer Newsletter:

To receive notice of volunteer projects and needs, sign up for the Volunteer Newsletter. This e-newsletter is sent out on an "as-needed basis" as volunteer needs arise. 

To subscribe to the Volunteer Newsletter by email, click the "sign up" button below, then select "Conservation Volunteer Newsletter." 

Sign Up Here

Click below for the latest issue of the Volunteer Newsletter:

Volunteer Newsletter - January 2025

 

 

 

For ongoing independent volunteer projects, interested volunteers should fill out a volunteer application. 

Volunteer Application

In addition to projects that arise on an "as needed" basis, numerous annual volunteer events and projects are available to take part in:

Great Iowa River Race

In early June, JCC hosts the annual Great Iowa River Race, a 9.5 mile canoe, kayak, and stand up paddle board race on the Iowa River. Numerous volunteers are needed to help run this smooth event.

 Numerous canoes and kayakers are spaced out on a section of river, all competing in the Great Iowa River Race.

Conservation Education Center Host

The Conservation Education Center (CEC) in F.W. Kent Park is staffed by volunteers during the summer weekend visitation hours. CEC Hosts serve as JCC ambassadors, providing a friendly presence and answering basic questions for CEC guests.

The front of a building surrounded by tall yellow wildflowers from the prairie.

Bird Blind Feeder Maintenance

The Bird Blind in F.W. Kent Park draws in flocks of both birds and human visitors. Volunteers help to keep the bird feeders filled. Volunteer opportunities to fill feeders include once per week or one weekend per month. 

Iowa River Clean Up

Each fall, JCC and numerous community partners host a clean up on the Iowa River. Volunteers paddle the 9.5 mile section of river from Iowa City to Hills removing trash both large and small from the river. 

A dad and son paddle a canoe that is loaded with trash removed from the river.

Prairie Seed Harvest

JCC hosts numerous prairie seed harvest events in the fall, starting in September and going into November. Events include weekly weekday morning events, full moon harvests, half-day "Adventure Harvests" that include hiking further distances, and a large weekend event in November. Seed harvesting can be adapted to fit any age and physical ability. 

A woman stands alone picking seeds off of plants in a large prairie with blue sky and scattered clouds behind her.