Volunteer

Education Program

Assist local students in learning about the natural environment. In the fall, you’ll work with elementary school students at the Evans-Mumbower Mill as they learn about simple machines and the history of water-powered mills. In the spring, you’ll assist high school students at the Wissahickon Creek as they learn about water quality. As a volunteer, you will help lead students in lessons. Previous teaching experience is a plus but not required—we provide training, and assistance in obtaining clearances for working with kids.

Committment

Sessions take place during the school day and are concentrated within a few weeks in the spring and fall. Typically, three hour sessions are held both in the morning and afternoon. 

Get started.

Evans-Mumbower Mill

Share your passion for history and education at the Evans-Mumbower Mill. Open House volunteers operate the mill eight times a year for the public to enjoy. Maintenance volunteers help preserve the mill through maintenance jobs, improvement projects, and carpentry in the historic structure. 

Commitment

4 hours a month (generally third Sunday, April through December). If interested, you can also help with school group visits during the fall.

Get started.

Outreach Ambassadors

Help us represent Wissahickon Trails in the community! As an outreach ambassador, you will share your knowledge of the watershed with neighbors, community members, and corporate sponsors by tabling at local events, such as Pike Fest and Temple University’s EarthFest. You’ll offer handouts and event information, and get neighbors excited about volunteering with and donating to Wissahickon Trails. 

Commitment

2 events a year for 3-4 hours each.

Get started.

Citizen Science and Creek Watch

Become a citizen scientist and help Wissahickon Trails monitor our local environment. Volunteers help us study frogs, salamanders, monarch butterflies, vernal pools, and other features of our preserves. Creek Watchers assist us by monitoring an assigned section of the Wissahickon Creek on a monthly basis. These are great opportunities for students and families. When you apply, please list the project(s) you are interested in. Click here for a list of projects.

Commitment

Varies depending on the project. 

Get started.

Conservation Crew

Conservation Crew members help us care for assigned sections of the Green Ribbon Trail. As a crew member, you will monitor your section of the trail each month, removing trash and invasive plant species, and reporting issues on the trail to our team. You will also have the opportunity to assist with emergency trail projects and stewardship work.

Commitment

Regularly check and maintain assigned trail section, attend two out of six workdays a year.

Get started.

Special Events

Special event volunteers help us produce our races, cleanups, and community gatherings. You can help with a variety of jobs before, during, and after events. Positions include race marshal, hike leader, or hospitality crew. When signing up, please let us know how you’d like to help or any special skills you may have.

Commitment

Varies depending on the event(s) you are interested in helping with.

Get started.

Corporate Service Projects/Dollars for Doers 

Corporate service projects are available for corporations as part of the Wissahickon Trails sponsorship benefit package. To become a sponsor, click here.

Does your company have a Dollars for Doers (DFD) program? DFD is a contribution program that donates cash grants to approved/vetted nonprofit organizations based on the time an employee volunteers. Employees can volunteer individually or form a group and their company will make a donation per volunteer and/or per hour for their volunteer service to our organization.

Contact Kelly Joslin at kelly@wissahickontrails.org or 215-646-8866 for more information.