Dates: Ideal times for volunteer projects are spring (April - June) and fall (September + October). Advance notice of at least six weeks is preferred. Required: at least two weeks' notice.

Time: Projects are generally scheduled on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and some Fridays. Projects typically start at 9 am or 1 pm; each lasts between 1.5 - 3 hours.

Group size:

• Spring = Five people min. - 50 people max.
• Fall = 25 people max.
• For groups larger than 50 people, contact our Volunteer Coordinator. 
• Capacity is determined by tools, parking, staff, and general property impact. 

What to expect: Prepare to get dirty and work outside for several hours. It’s always possible to encounter bugs, prickly plants, and weather / temperature changes.

What to wear: Dress for the weather (recommended: long sleeves and pants) and wear clothes that can get beat up a bit; wear closed-toe shoes, gloves (extra will be provided), safety glasses (extra will be provided).

Self-Guided Garlic Mustard Removal

• Available May-July
• Volunteer on your own schedule (sunrise-10pm)

Feeling independent? Volunteer on your own with no staff supervision in any park and on your own schedule (sunrise - 10 pm). We'll furnish you with a map of where to pull garlic mustard in your selected park(s) and this training video. 

Adopt-A-Park Program

Help us maintain the beauty of the County Park trails, green spaces, and garden beds with your group.

Looking for more information? Visit our main Adopt-A-Park page here.

Limited availability.

Adopt-A-Trail

Maintain and protect the beauty of the County's recreational trail systems with your group.

Looking for more information? Visit our main Adopt-A-Trail page.

Limited availability. 

Adopt-A-Drain

Spend 15 minutes twice a month to help protect our lakes and rivers by cleaning the surface of storm drains. Then report the quantity and composition of debris removed.

For more information, visit the main Adopt-A-Drain page.

Eble Park Gardens

The Eble Park Gardens are powered by our treasured Waukesha County Parks volunteers.

Whether fulfilling certification requirements or just raising the community's joy levels, you'll love digging into Florence's gardens!

Get your hands dirty in the flower and herb gardens and cultivate the vegetable gardens for donations to the Food Pantry of Waukesha.  

Special Event Opportunities

From assisting with parking, sharing visitor information, and greeting guests, look at our various special events and let us know which you would like to assist with.

Volunteer needs may vary per event.

Become a Teaching Naturalist

An apprenticeship program to become a Volunteer Teacher Naturalist who can assist Education Naturalist staff with environmental education programs for school groups, scouts, and the general public. Recommended for ages 18+. 

Do you love birds? You can be one of our volunteers that monitor songbird nest boxes across Waukesha County Parks and greenspaces.

A volunteer visits each box once-a-week from March 15 through September 30. The volunteer determines which species is using it; counts eggs, hatchlings, and fledglings; and performs minor maintenance. There are ten or more boxes per location.

View Schedule / Register

Team up with Master Naturalist Carrie Frantz to survey bats using high-tech detectors! Learn how scientists capture and analyze ultrasonic bat calls while helping collect valuable field data. Participants can earn volunteer service hours while contributing to ongoing research. No prior experience is needed; ages 5+.

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Join Wisconsin Master Naturalist Caroline Frantz for a bat-tastic presentation at The Tap Yard! Learn why bats are vital to our ecosystem and how to spot them, then take an optional short hike with acoustic gear to hear bats in action. Enjoy an evening of science and exploration.

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Join our team for an engaging, hands-on survey of aquatic life! Learn how scientists study invertebrates and assist in monitoring invasive Asian clams to help safeguard our waterways. Earn volunteer service hours while gathering meaningful field data and putting your skills into action. No prior experience is needed; ages 13+.

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Join our knowledgeable staff for a hands-on experience that brings science to life! Learn how scientists observe wildlife, collect field data, and contribute to research – then help track dragonflies and damselflies in our invertebrate survey. Participants can earn eligible volunteer service hours while learning, exploring, and making a difference. No prior experience is needed; ages 13+.

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Did you know over half of Wisconsin’s 52 native mussel species are at risk? Join our staff for a hands-on experience in the water, learning how scientists search for and monitor rare freshwater mussels. Participants can earn volunteer service hours while helping protect native aquatic ecosystems and gathering meaningful field data. No prior experience is needed; ages 13+.

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Step into the woods with experts from the Wisconsin Mycological Society and discover the fascinating world of fungi! Learn how scientists monitor mushrooms as part of ongoing Park System research, then observe and record what you find along the trail. Volunteer hours are available as you explore, learn, and contribute to real science. No prior experience is needed; ages 13+.

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Explore Waukesha County’s rich birdlife with our knowledgeable staff! Participate in seasonal surveys, track feathered friends, and learn field techniques used by scientists. Perfect for experienced birders, with volunteer service hours available for your contributions to ongoing research; ages 13+.

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Team up with staff and fellow invertebrate enthusiasts for a lively field survey! Learn all about bumble bees while helping spot and identify these important pollinators. Make a difference, earn volunteer hours, and put your new skills into action. No prior experience is needed; ages 13+.

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Eagle Scout & Girl Scout Gold or Silver Award Information

• View the Scout Project Guide with Waukesha County Parks
• Fill out the Project Request Form