Get Involved
See our event calendar for all upcoming volunteer opportunities!
Volunteer Program Areas
Merry Lea Teaching Farm
Do you enjoy getting your hands dirty, working in the orchard, harvesting produce from the greenhouses or the education garden, working with farm animals, starting seeds, or more? Join us at the farm!
Education & Outreach
Does the thought of teaching people of all ages about environmental education excite you? Do you love helping with special events such as Nature Fest? Jump into the education side of Merry Lea today!
Administrative Support
Would you rather work behind the scenes? We have various opportunities ranging from envelope stuffing to updating bulletin boards, working registration tables, laminating papers and more!
Stewardship
Is your ideal day spent outside in the woods, walking trails, or removing invasive species? Opportunities occur year round and include seed collection and cleaning, prescribed burning, invasive plant removal, and more. Help us maintain and restore our 1,189 acres of land!
Other Skills
Do you have other skills that you would like to share, such as arts & crafts, photography, cooking, writing, or more? Let us know! We are always seeking more creative individuals to help us out.
Youth & Family
Check out various opportunities that are great for families or youth! Some opportunities include popping & serving popcorn during Enchanted Forest, changing out our seasonal Storywalk trail, and more.
— Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities —
We’re always looking for great volunteers who have a passion for nature and learning. Contact Foy Spicer at fspicer@goshen.edu or call (260) 799-5869.
To see upcoming opportunities, click the + sign next to the opportunities you are interested in to learn more!
To register for any stewardship volunteer opportunities listed below, click on the button below!
Multiflora rose is one of Merry Lea's common invasive "woody" plants. We will use loppers to cut the stems and daubers to paint the stumps with herbicide*. This method keeps herbicide use to a minimum and targets only the plants you want to treat. We will work in teams with one person cutting and one person daubing.
The roses are THORNY, long sleeves are recommended no matter how hot it is. We will be working off trail, so please wear sturdy shoes and long pants. Insect/tick repellent, long sleeves, and work/garden gloves are also HIGHLY recommended. *Volunteers must be over 18 to apply herbicide. Registration required.
Dates:
- June 10, 2:00pm-4:00pm (Tuesday)
- June 11, 5:30pm-7:30pm (Wednesday)
- June 18, 5:30pm-7:30pm (Wednesday)
- June 24, 2:00pm-4:00pm (Tuesday)
- June 26, 5:30pm-7:30pm (Thursday)
Join Merry Lea for an invasive work day hand wicking cattails. We will be off trail on potentially mucky, uneven terrain. Long sleeves and long pants required. Rubber boots or shoes you don't mind getting very muddy are highly recommended. Insect/tick repellant and hats highly recommended. Bring drinking water.
Meeting location will be determined a few days before this event based on where the greatest need is at that time. Freya will contact you via email with those details.
Registration required. This activity will be a higher level of difficulty, primarily due to heat and terrain. Please contact freyakb@goshen.edu with any questions you may have.
Volunteers must be over 18 years old to apply herbicide.
Dates:
July 8, 2:00pm-4:00pm (Tuesday)
July 10, 5:30pm-7:30pm (Thursday)
July 12, 8:00am-11:00pm (Saturday)
July 16, 2:00pm-4:00pm (Wednesday)
July 17, 5:30pm-7:30pm (Thursday)
July 22, 2:00pm-4:00pm (Tuesday)
July 24, 5:30pm-7:30pm (Thursday)
A relatively new (to us) invasive plant is on the scene! Join Merry Lea for a round of pulling JHP!
Meeting location will be determined a few days before this event based on where the greatest need is at that time. Freya will contact you via email with those details.
We will be working off trail, so please wear sturdy shoes and long pants. Insect/tick repellent, long sleeves, and work/garden gloves are HIGHLY recommended.
Please also bring drinking water and anything else you think you may need during this activity.
Dates:
July 29, 2:00pm-4:00pm (Tuesday)
July 31, 5:30pm-7:30pm (Thursday)
Quotes & Testaments
“I enjoy volunteering because I get to be out in nature learning about the area I am working in, and sometimes helping to take care of it.” –Tristan, Youth Volunteer
“I enjoy volunteering at Merry Lea and seeing children’s fear of the natural environment turn to comfort in it. They gain a new responsibility to care, respect, and protect the land, plants, and creatures who live here. God’s creations are so beautiful! It is relaxing and comforting to walk the trails and breathe in the phytoncides from plants and trees which increase my immune system and lower my blood pressure and stress level!” – Russ, Education Volunteer
“I enjoy being outdoors and love helping kids discover amazing things in nature at all of Merry Lea’s Teaching sites! – Becky, Education Volunteer
Volunteering Over The Years
