Opportunities From: Center for Community Engagement

Join the members of Burnet Woods Advisory Council in habitat restoration efforts in Burnet Woods!

Activities include removing invasive species, planting native trees and shrubs, and other work as determined by BPAC and the Cincinnati Parks Conservation and Land Management team.

Fall 2025 Schedule of Events

Sat, Nov 1 | 9-12pm

Sat, Nov 8 | 9-12pm

Sat, Dec 13 | 9-12pm

Sat, Dec 20 | 9-12pm

Cincinnati Parks works with community groups called CPACs or (Cincinnati Parks Advisory Councils) to produce events and activate our parks. Several CPACs have social media presence and are looking for some support to maintain and enhance their accounts. Community group accounts have been  one of the most effective ways to promote these community events. 

Alms Park Allies are volunteers dedicated to maintaining and improving the park in collaboration with Cincinnati Board of Parks. We are established 501c3 with the State of Ohio as Alms Park Advisory Council.

Alms Park Allies (and potentially additional groups) are looking for a self starter who can spend a couple hours a week (flexible) keeping up on their social media accounts. The ideal candidate will be willing to meet members of the CPAC in person at the park to hear their vision and needs. This volunteer will also commit to consistent communication and coordination of the accounts.

Requirements: 

Knowledge of using Facebook & Instagram  Resourcefulness & desire to connect with communities using these platforms Commitment & Follow Through 

 

Alms Park - 710 Tusculum Ave 45226   

Learn more about this group - CLICK HERE

Facebook Page

Instagram Account

 

 

CORA in partnership with Cincinnati Parks @ Mt. Airy Mountain Bike Trails 

Come join us for some work on the trails at Mt. Airy! It is the season for trail building so let's get some good stuff done! By signing up, you agree to the Safety Warning, Release and Waiver of Liability, Assumption of Risk, Indemnity, and Parental Consent Agreement, located here: https://coramtb.org/storage/app/media/CORA_Waiver.pdf

How to prepare: Thank you for signing up to contribute your time and effort to the trails at Mt. Airy! Please wear proper clothing to be active and doing work in the woods. Wear hiking shoes/boots and bring gloves, safety glasses, and water.

Meet at the West Fork lot. Leaders will greet volunteers and start the event there!

Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns. https://www.mobilize.us/coratrails/event/592726/

Adults over 18 or teens accompanied by a guardian. All attendees must be able to hike the Mt Airy mountain bike trail system unassisted. Extreme temps, rain or high winds cancel the trail day. Volunteers will be notified via email the night before the event.

New Volunteer opportunity for Winter 2025!

We are looking for volunteers to help with this year’s exhibit 'Festival of Ferns' from November 1st, 2025 to January 4th, 2026.  

Volunteers will be working with Krohn’s Applied Imagination G-scale model railroads. These “Krohn Conductors” will be assisting the staff getting engines running and track prepped each morning, including track cleaning, oiling engine wheels and other jobs! No experience needed. Welcome aboard! 

This role may require lifting, reaching, and stepping or climbing to access trains and controllers, if you have limited mobility let us know in advance. 

SHIFTS AVAILABLE: Monday-Saturday from 8am-12pm, 12pm-4pm and 4pm-8pm. When arriving in morning, please use the back, brown door at the dock area, on the left side near the two sheds.  Please ask for Marlene or Syd.

Experts with model railroad experience, please consider signing-up as a Senior Engineer. Senior engineers meet Tuesday and Saturdays: Details can be found at: http://bttr.im/1l9mv.

Questions? Email marlene.fitzwater@cincinnati-oh.gov

 

 
Mt. Airy West Conservation Workdays 

Mount Airy West Conservation (MAWC), a member of Mount Airy Forest Advisory Committee (MAFAC; Cincinnati Parks Advisory Council or CPAC), is working closely with Cincinnati Parks Conservation & Land Management Team on forest restoration on the western half of Mt. Airy Forest.  

FOCUS: We will be tackling different invasive plants depending upon the season. This may include - Breaking down honeysuckle with loppers and handsaws* - Cutting out small sections of vines on trees with handsaws* - Removing and bagging garlic mustard or Japanese stiltgrass. *Trained Service People (TSP) will apply herbicide to cut stumps. 

ATTIRE: Long sleeves, long pants. Closed-toed shoes. Raincoat (where applicable)

WHAT TO BRING: Bug spray, sunscreen, water bottles. We will provide gloves but feel free to bring your own. All tools will be provided.

WHERE TO MEET/PARK: Bicentennial Park 2885 Diehl Rd 45211 - Meet at the last/furthest parking lot.  

** Please note: Parking is available in the main (last) parking lot of Bicentennial Park (2885 Diehl Road, Cincinnati, OH 45211) on the boundary of Mt. Airy Forest West

 

SITE LEAD/CONTACT: Events will be led by Mount Airy West Conservation volunteers. Contact: Sydney Barnes Feel free to arrive late or leave early. Please call Sydney at 513-349-1669 if you're running late and she will help you find the group. If you know in advance that you will be running late, please email MountAiryWestConservation@gmail.com to let us know and make a plan. 

FOREST BASE: We will walk here together. The trailhead is located on the marked "Nature Trail" off of the paved walking path. Continue straight on the path (DO NOT TAKE THE LEFT/RIGHT TRAILS) until you reach the forest clearing with picnic tables. This will be our base.

RESTROOMS: Restrooms are available in the main area of Bicentennial Park. Note that it may take a moment to get there from the forest base.

RAIN/INCLEMENT WEATHER: We will monitor weather conditions ahead of the event and cancel if it prevents us from safely and effectively achieving our focus goal. We may work through rain/drizzle depending upon how heavy it is under the forest cover.

 Volunteers will be oriented and trained in best management practices in invasive plants removal, reforestation of areas, planting native seeds, plants and trees.  

Volunteers should wear clothes appropriate to the weather conditions, long sleeves and pants, gloves, closed toes shoes are required. 

Loppers and handsaws will be used to cut invasive plants less than 3" diameter. Application of pesticide will be performed by certified Trained Service Persons. 

To learn more about the Conservation & Land Stewardship program for Cincinnati Parks, and to become trained in pesticide application, please follow this link:

http://bttr.im/3j6ix

 

Regarding Covid-19:

In efforts to stop the spread, for the safety of our staff, volunteers and community please consider the following guidelines:

Do not participate if you or someone in your home is symptomatic (e.g., fever, cough, shortness of breath), or if someone you’ve come into close contact with is under investigation or diagnosed with a laboratory-confirmed case of COVID-19.

 
Friends of French Park (Cincinnati Parks Advisory Council or CPAC) is working closely with the Cincinnati Parks Conservation & Land Management Team on forest restoration. One of the first things that has been identified as a priority is trail clearance. This involves cutting back invasive plants such as honeysuckle, privet, and burning bush and treating the stumps.   

Saturday, September 13th, 9-12pm: Invasive Species Removal

Saturday, October 11th, 9-12pm: Forest Planting (meet near the park shelter at the top of the hill) 

Saturday, November 8th, 9-12pm: Invasive Species Removal

Saturday, December 13th, 9-12pm: Invasive Species Removal

French Park 3012 Section Road 45237 Meet at the middle parking lot by the French House  There is more parking available just up the hill. *Please note: for the October 11th Forest Planting event the meetup location will be near the park shelter at the top of the hill.   
Event will be led by Friends of French Park volunteers.  

Volunteers should be prepared for the weather in clothing appropriate for the temperature, wear long pants and layers (long sleeves), close-toed shoes are required. Suggested: gloves & refillable water bottle. Cincinnati Parks discourages single - use plastics.  

General hand tools will be used: loppers, hand saws, hand pruners. Planting - Volunteers will use shovels to plant seedlings, and some volunteers may use wire cutters to wrap the small trees in metal caging. Planting will likely result in getting muddy. Volunteers can prepare by wearing sturdy footwear and pants and long sleeves to protect against possibly Poison Ivy. Gloves and tools will be provided. Garlic Mustard - Volunteers will use snips to cut off Garlic Mustard plants. Volunteers can prepare by wearing sturdy footwear and pants and long sleeves to protect against possibly Poison Ivy. This activity is physically easier than removing honeysuckle but may be challenging for anyone with arthritis. Gloves and tools will be provided.

For everyone's safety, it is recommended that volunteers be able to physically navigate hilly terrain and rough trails, as well as be able to safely operate tools such as shovels, garden snips, loppers, and saws. Accommodations could be made by finding other tasks to perform.

Parks Staff and/or Cincinnati Parks Trained Service Persons will be on site to apply pesticide when needed. 

Please contact FriendsofFrenchPark@gmail.com with any questions.

 

Regarding Covid-19: In efforts to stop the spread, for the safety of our staff, volunteers and community please consider the following guidelines: Do not participate If you or someone in your home is symptomatic (e.g., fever, cough, shortness of breath), or if someone you’ve come into close contact with is under investigation or diagnosed with a laboratory-confirmed case of COVID-19.

Looking for an impactful way to help with environmental conservation? This event is a great start – Parks staff will lead a short interpretative discussion about the forest where we identify native trees and discuss their role in a diverse ecosystem, as well as the harmful impact of encroaching invasive species. We’ll then work on cutting invasive Amur honeysuckle to pave the way for habitat restoration. By combining elements of education and service, our team will emphasize the purposes for habitat restoration, and volunteers will leave with more connection to, and understanding of this important work.  

Saturday, Nov 22 | 10-12pm 

Saturday, Dec 6 | 10-12pm 

Where: Avon Woods Nature Preserve, 4235 Paddock Rd. 45229

 

Join in the efforts of Cincinnati Parks staff and The Friends of LaBoiteaux Woods (Cincinnati Parks Advisory Council) to improve the state of the natural resources the this forest offers. 

LaBoiteaux Woods Nature Preserve - 5400 Lanius Lane 45224

Community Workdays

SPRING EVENTS: Garlic Mustard & Wintercreeper Removal

April 19 | 1pm - 3pm  

May 3 | 1pm - 3pm *CANCELLED DUE TO RAIN

FALL EVENTS: Honeysuckle cutting, breaking down, treating of cut stumps (trained service persons only), trail clearing. Occasionally planting of native trees/plants

September 13 | 1pm - 3pm

September 27| 1pm - 3pm  

October 4| 1pm - 3pm

October 25 | 1pm - 3pm

November 1 | 1pm - 3pm

November 22 | 1pm - 3pm

December 6 | 1pm - 3pm

Focus will be on invasive plant removal. Volunteers will use loppers and hand saws to cut back honeysuckle less than 3" diameter and break it down on site so that it will decompose. 

Volunteers should be prepared for the weather (lightweight clothing), wear long pants. Close-toed, sturdy shoes are required. Recommended: Work gloves (if you own them), sunscreen, refillable water bottle. There will be work gloves available to borrow and  a water cooler will be provided on site for volunteers to refill bottles. Cincinnati Parks discourages single use plastics.

Regarding Covid-19: In efforts to stop the spread, for the safety of our staff, volunteers and community please consider the following guidelines: Do not participate If you or someone in your home is symptomatic (e.g., fever, cough, shortness of breath), or if someone you’ve come into close contact with is under investigation or diagnosed with a laboratory-confirmed case of COVID-19.

 
 
 

Support the restoration progress at California Woods Nature Preserve 

Join our team for one date or all of them. We will protect our beautiful native forest from invasive plants. In early Autumn we’ll pull and bag Japanese stilt grass and Japanese chaff flower. In late Autumn we’ll cut and stack bush honeysuckle and other woody invasives. This will be off-trail in wooded, hilly terrain.

Make sure to bring water and dress for the weather. Park staff will guide the group. Use our gloves or bring your own, remember to bring water, and dress for going off-trail. Open to adults and children ages 10 and up accompanied by an adult. 

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!! 

California Woods Nature Preserve is located at 5400 Kellogg Ave, 45230

 

Staff will greet volunteers outside the nature center.

Volunteers should be prepared for the weather (lightweight &/or layered clothing), wear long pants. Close-toed shoes are required. Recommended: Work gloves (if you own them), sunscreen, refillable water bottle. There will be work gloves available to borrow and  a water  on site for volunteers to refill bottles. Cincinnati Parks discourages single use plastics.

2026 Schedule of Events

Monday, January 19, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.  (3hrs) MLK Day of Service Saturday, January 24, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (3hrs)Saturday, February 21, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (3hrs)Saturday, March 7, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. (3hrs)Saturday, April 25, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (4hrs) GARLIC MUSTARD BLITZ 1Saturday, May 2, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (4hrs) GARLIC MUSTARD BLITZ 2Saturday, May 9, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (4hrs) GARLIC MUSTARD BLITZ 3Saturday, August 15, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (3hrs) Saturday, September 19, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (3hrs)Saturday, September 26, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. (4hrs) Saturday, October 10, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. (4hrs)Saturday, November 7, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. (3hrs) Saturday, December 19, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. (3 hours) 

 

Alms Park Allies are volunteers dedicated to maintaining and improving the park in collaboration with Cincinnati Board of Parks. We are established 501c3 with the State of Ohio as Alms Park Advisory Council.

Special Community Event Opportunity! 

Bluegrass and BBQ at Alms Park

Friday, September 26 | 4:30pm - 9:30pm

Event support for Alms Allies! Volunteers will help set up, provide support throughout the event with basic event tasks and help break down. Volunteers over 21 can help serve beer. 

Sign up Below!

Work with Parks Staff and members of the Alms Park Advisory Council (Alms Park Allies) in their efforts to improve the overall health of the park and support maintenance efforts. Projects will often include invasive species mitigation efforts as well as beautification efforts and grounds maintenance tasks.

 
 

 

The removal of invasive species is part of ongoing efforts to restore our native forest understory. Volunteers will use loppers and handsaws to cut invasive Amur honeysuckle and may also be cutting invasive porcelain berry vine. On some volunteer days we will also plant native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. 

Non - native plants such as honeysuckle and porcelain berry grow aggressively in this climate and create real problems for our native ecosystem. These invasive plants choke out the natural growth of native plants that provide more for a healthy under story and more for local wildlife. There are also safety concerns, as these plants grow fast and thick, and obstruct sightlines in public areas. Poison ivy (a native plant) also grows in these parks, please be cautious and aware of your surroundings.

Volunteers should be prepared for the weather in clothing appropriate for the temperature, wear long pants and layers (long sleeves), close-toed shoes are required. Suggested: face covering, gloves & refillable water bottle. Cincinnati Parks discourages single - use plastics.  

Cincinnati Parks and Alms Allies will supply tools and equipment. 

The location to meet for volunteer events is the Pavilion in Alms Park! 4H6C+P6 Cincinnati, Ohio 

Please note: BBQ & Bluegrass is a community event, not a habitat restoration event. We welcome volunteers for this event as well! 

   Volunteers will assist with horticulture assignments & pick up litter throughout the park as needed.

Report to the parking lot adjacent the pavilion (there are dumpsters in this lot). Follow this google link to exact meeting spot. 

Tasks include mulching, weeding, planting, pruning, litter pick up. 

Volunteers should be prepared for the weather (layered/lightweight clothing), wear long pants. Close-toed and sturdy hard sole shoes are required. Recommended: Work gloves (if you own them) & refillable water bottle. There will be work gloves available to borrow. Cincinnati Parks discourages single use plastics.

If you have any immediate questions you can contact Nick Koch at 513.484.2776 (text or call).