Why Volunteer? And where should I start?

Why Should I Volunteer for The Douglas-Hart Foundation?

The Douglas-Hart Foundation is one foundation with three locations (The Douglas-Hart Nature Center, Friendship Gardens, and The Whiteside Garden). With everything we have to offer, there is something for everyone to enjoy spending their time on! But why should you volunteer with us?

• ​To know you're making a difference in your community and environment
  

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• Help your physical, mental, and emotional health
  • Volunteering is know to combat depression, loneliness, low self-esteem, and reduce the risk of Alzheimer's. 
  • Volunteering, especially conservation, is great to help you stay moving and in shape (especially in combating quarantine body)

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• Learn and teach others about native flora and fauna

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• Help build social and professional connections

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• Cultivate social, conservation, and education skills to help you grow

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• Find fulfillment in doing what you are passionate about. We have a lot of ways to get involved from photography to teaching and from crafts to pulling weeds, 

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• We have a "work hard play hard" mentality, meaning we hope you have a lot of fun here.
  • We also make sure you get plenty of treats and occasionally gifts

• Receive volunteer hours, build your resume, and have a chance to win awards inside and outside the foundation.
  • We are now certified to give the Presidential Volunteer Service Award

Where should I start?

What are you interested in doing?
Conservation:

• The Douglas-Hart Nature Center
  • Working Together, Separately
  • Special Projects
  • Homeschool Conservation
  • Conservation Crew Internship (available in summer)

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• The Whiteside Garden
  • Working Together, Separately
  • Adopt-a-bed

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• Friendship Garden
  • Garden Steward Special Project
  • Watering Specialist
  • Adopt-a-bed

Education

• The Douglas-Hart Nature Center
  • Homeschool Conservation
  • Junior Counselling Intern (available in summer)
  • Home school Naturalist Helper (available during school season)

Other ways to get involved

• ​Events/Festivals
• Weekend Hosting
• At-Home Projects
• Volunteer Your Passion​

Why do you volunteer?

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Interested in Volunteering?

Contact Malina, our Volunteer Coordinator
                             Email: volunteer@dhnature.org
​                             Call: 217-235-4644
                             (or click on the project that interests you above to sign up/ learn more)

Not ready to volunteer but want to stay updated on what is happening?
                                Text "Involved" to 31996 to get text message notifications (up to 3 short texts a month)

or Sign up for our volunteer e-newsletter here