MetroParks Volunteers
MetroParks Monthly: Programs & Events for May
Updated May 2, 2025
Below you’ll find a list of programs and events for all ages, from children to life-long learners, in addition to MetroParks must-dos, sustainability tips and information on what’s growing in the parks this month. Take a deeper dive into your areas of interest by signing up for MetroParks’ email newsletters and following Five Rivers MetroParks […]
National Volunteer Month Spotlight: Deb Kozar
Published April 14, 2025
Deb Kozar, second from the right In celebration of National Volunteer Month, your Five Rivers MetroParks is spotlighting its volunteers. Deb Kozar has been volunteering with MetroParks since 2018. Kozar moved to Dayton in spring of 2016 after living in Germany for 28 years. She found a job as a substitute teacher with a daycare […]
Epic angler adventures began with MetroParks progression programs
Published April 12, 2025
People often take very different journeys to arrive at the same destination. For Tim Ryan and Frank Campanell, the destination was the Bitterroot National Forest. The journey: learning to fly fish so they could maximize their adventures on the Bitterroot River, which is known for its trout populations and world-class fishing opportunities. Ryan and Campanell […]
Trash in rivers is an increasing problem – we can all pitch in to help
Published April 7, 2025
Guest blogger: Perry V. Richter The arrival of spring after a long, freezing winter is bringing warmer temperatures, brave flowers, budding trees, and, of course, a whole lot of activity. Walkers and cyclists get out onto trails around the Miami Valley. However, one thing that isn’t so exciting will also show itself as snow and […]
More than 300 volunteers needed for this year’s Adopt-A-Park Earth Day celebration
Published March 10, 2025
Five Rivers MetroParks will host its largest annual day of service, Adopt-A-Park, on Saturday, April 26, from 9 a.m. to noon at multiple sites across Montgomery County. Hundreds of volunteers are needed to help MetroParks staff spruce up green spaces and work on special projects that protect the region’s parks and waterways. Registration is required […]
Eastern Bluebirds Need Your Help
Updated February 19, 2025
Each year, Five Rivers MetroParks volunteers monitor 37 bluebird boxes throughout seven MetroParks. Why do we monitor bluebirds? In the 1890s, House Sparrows and European Starlings found their way to the United States, competing with existing bluebirds for nesting sites. This bird boom and loss of habitat due to increased development meant that, by the […]
MetroParks Monthly: Programs & Events for January
Updated December 20, 2024
Below you’ll find a list of programs and events for all ages, from children to life-long learners, in addition to MetroParks must-dos, sustainability tips and information on what’s growing in the parks this month. Take a deeper dive into your areas of interest by signing up for MetroParks’ email newsletters and following us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok. […]
Montgomery County voters pass Five Rivers MetroParks levy
Published November 6, 2024
Montgomery County residents voted to pass Issue 35, Five Rivers MetroParks’ 1.0-mill, 10-year levy. “Five Rivers MetroParks is essential to our quality of life, and the parks stimulate community economic development,” Chief Executive Officer Karen Hesser said. “We greatly appreciate the support of the voters. These results reinforce how much our community values the high-quality […]
MetroParks Monthly: Programs & Events for November
Updated October 28, 2024
GET OUT & EXPLORE YOUR METROPARKS For more than 60 years, Five Rivers MetroParks has been connecting people with nature by providing clean, safe outdoor spaces that support the public’s physical, emotional and mental health. You can learn more about exploring your MetroParks and get involved by: Volunteering with Five Rivers MetroParks Learning more about […]
Hundreds of volunteers needed to help support fall projects in MetroParks
Updated October 7, 2024
Five Rivers MetroParks will host its annual fall service day, Make a Difference Day, from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Oct. 26. Register online by Friday, Oct. 25, at metroparks.org/make-a-difference. People of all ages will work on 18 projects across 13 sites throughout Montgomery County and assist with many important projects, from planting trees […]