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Volunteer at River Bend Nature Center
From one time opportunities to ongoing projects, there are openings for many interests and ages. You could be a volunteer naturalist, do natural resource work or be a building host. Here at River Bend, you’ll find many ways to give back, and feel good doing it.
Sample Volunteer Opportunities
- Nature Center Host
- Special Events and Program Support
- Volunteer Naturalist
- Program Facilitators
- Outreach Booth Staff
- Trail Maintenance
- Natural Resource Management
- Program/Event Photographer
Representing a group that would like to volunteer together or a company with volunteer incentives for employees? We have plenty of volunteer opportunities throughout the year for groups of all sizes to help at River Bend. Please email Morgan at heier@rbnc.org
Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities
Stewardship Saturdays 2026
Teens +, Free Volunteer Opportunity, Time: 10:00-12:00 pm unless otherwise noted.
MN BUMBLEBEE ATLAS SURVEY TRAINING: July 11
Join the Bumble Bee Atlas for a field day at River Bend Nature Center! In-person training events are a great way to learn how to use your insect net, collect data according to project methods, practice identifying and photographing bees, and meet fellow participants. Registration is required to attend, so be sure to sign up.
BUCKTHORN & BIOCHAR: July 25
Join River Bend as we remove buckthorn and use it to make biochar, turning "trash" into "treasure." Biochar produced at River Bend will be used in future tree planting projects. We plan to fire up the kilns if the weather allows.
Items to bring: water bottle, sunscreen, work gloves, and safety glasses
Pants and closed-toed shoes are required
Annual events
Saturday, May 2 - Maple Syrup Fun Run & Pancake Breakfast
Help out by volunteering with the pancake breakfast (prep, serving & clean-up), water stations, course marshalls, prepping the course, taking the course signs down, bag check, parking attendants or event photographer.
Saturday, August 8 - Ramble Fundraiser
Saturday, October 24 - Bats, Bones & Bonfires
Nature Center Host - Typically need help on Saturdays 10am-2pm
Volunteer at the front desk to greet visitors, answer questions and help with the gift shop.
Volunteer Naturalist - Assist in teaching our nature classes and supporting our staff on school field trips. Programs typically run Monday-Friday 8:00-2:30 pm. Individual program length is 1 1/2 - 2 hours.
Contact Morgan Heier, volunteer coordinator, to sign up for any of these event dates or for more information.
Apply to be a River Bend Nature Center Volunteer
Thank you for your interest in volunteering at River Bend! Please email Morgan at heier@rbnc.org to sign up for a volunteer event.
