FSWCD is pleased to offer several volunteer opportunities throughout the year. Below is a summary of the most current list of opportunities. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please click the button below which will take you to our online volunteer application form! If you have any questions, please call our office at 614-813-8443 or send an email to volunteer@franklinswcd.org.
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Rain Garden Maintenance
Do you have a green thumb? Then consider joining our rain garden maintenance program! FSWCD has established an ever-expanding network of rain gardens throughout Franklin County. Rain gardens work by diverting stormwater runoff from roofs, roads, driveways, and hard turf grass into a planted basin so that water can soak in and infiltrate naturally. Rain gardens reduce levels of contaminants like oils, metals, and nutrients that are transported to our waterways, help recharge the local water table, and provide beautiful native habitat and food for our pollinators and other fauna! FSWCD needs volunteers to help maintain our existing public rain garden sites and scout for new potential project sites! Private rain garden site owners may also request maintenance assistance that could be provided by volunteers.
Time Commitment | 2-4 Hour Work Sessions |
Season | Spring, Summer, and Fall |
Volunteer Opportunities |
- Weed, rake, trim, and maintain rain gardens
- Work with FSWCD to locate sites for potential rain gardens
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Community Outreach
If you enjoy being in the community and sharing information with people of all ages, this is the Volunteer Opportunity for you! FSWCD participates in many community outreach events and workshops where we have the opportunity to share resources with community members and engage them in activities highlighting our work and the ways individuals can take action at home to protect and improve soil and water resources
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Time Commitment | 2 Hour Volunteer Shifts |
Season | Spring, Summer, and Fall |
Volunteer Opportunities |
- Set up and/or tear down of informational table
- Staffing FSWCD informational table and/or activity station
- Assisting with workshops
- Interacting with community members
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Tree Planting Events
Want to help get more beautiful native trees growing in Franklin County? Consider volunteering with us during one of our tree planting events! From river floodplains to our urban spaces, FSWCD works with local communities and watershed groups to implement conservation throughout the county where it is needed most. Volunteers are needed to help trees get planted!
Time Commitment | 2-8 Hour Work Sessions |
Season | Spring and Fall |
Volunteer Opportunities |
- Dig holes for saplings and larger trees
- Remove burlap from root balls
- Assist with planting
- Install stakes and tree protection
- Apply mulch
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Hellbranch Meadows and Conservation Easement Maintenance
FSWCD’s Hellbranch Meadows, purchased in 2008 through the Clean Ohio Fund, is a nearly 200-acre property located in western Franklin County near the village of Galloway. Hellbranch Meadows takes its name from the property’s cornerstone feature, Hellbranch Run, a major tributary of Big Darby Creek, a State and National Scenic River. Previously used for agricultural purposes, the property serves as an excellent opportunity for Franklin Soil and Water to demonstrate a variety of restoration techniques ranging from full scale stream and wetland restoration to tree planting and invasive species removal. Today, we need assistance in maintaining the property and conserving this natural space!
FSWCD also acts as the steward for over 30 conservation easement properties located throughout the county. These easements are natural spaces that are legally protected and serve as vital habitat for our native flora and fauna. However, invasive species threaten these natural spaces, and we need assistance to remove invasives and assist with native plantings.
Time Commitment | 2-6 Hour Work Sessions |
Season | Spring, Summer, Fall |
Volunteer Opportunities |
- Invasive species removal
- Assistance with maintaining conservation areas
- Native plantings
- General maintenance items
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Stormwater Awareness Week - Annual Event
Stormwater Awareness Week is a regional effort that encourages communities (and the groups that care about them) to raise stormwater awareness via newsletters and social media posts, or with fun, educational events. There are a variety of events that take place during Stormwater Awareness Week and we welcome and encourage anyone to participate in the activities that protect our water resources this week and beyond. FSCWD needs volunteers to assist with our outreach and conservation projects during this week-long event!
Time Commitment | 2-4 Hour Work Sessions |
Season | October 16th – 22nd |
Volunteer Opportunities |
- Native Tree and Plant Installations
- Green Infrastructure Maintenance
- Removing debris like leaves and litter from storm drains
- Assist with stream clean ups/community clean-ups
- Assist with youth-based education programs
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Franklin County has many local organizations serving as stewards of our waterways and soil! Check out our partners' volunteer calendars below for trash cleanups, invasive plant removals and more!
Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed (FLOW)Friends of Alum Creek and Tributaries (FACT)RAPID 5 Keep Columbus BeautifulSustainable WestervilleGreen BexleyGo Green Hilliard