Volunteer Opportunities Program Leaders – If you have a genuine desire to share your love of nature, become a school program leader! Thousands of children come to participate in hands on activities and develop a basic understanding of our environment. We provide training for each season: Sept/Oct, Jan/Feb, April/May. We also need help with our Summer Adventure Programs! Public Program Speakers – Have a particular area of expertise? We’d love to have you present a public program, usually weekends or weekday evenings. The program can be directed towards adults, children, or both. Prairie & Trail Work – Help us restore our native prairies on the top of the bluff. Work on burns, seed collecting, planting and sumac cutting. Help maintain our existing trail system by clearing and chipping trails. Mailings – Help during the week with newsletter, special event and many other mailings. These occur during a weekday about once a month for 1-3 hours. Gift Shop/Reception Desk – We need people to staff the front desk/gift shop at the EcoCenter. Duties include answering phones, greeting visitors, gift shop sales. Weekends are the place we need you most from 1:00-4:00 p.m.. The weekday shifts are 9:00 – 11:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Could you help with one of these times? If so, call/e-mail Carol Ramsey at , 788-3106 or 769-5416. We will train you – no experience necessary! Facility Rental Managers - Manage the building during the off-hours events and rentals. Duties include opening & closing the building, monitoring event goers, answering questions and helping out where needed. River To Ridge Run/Walk – This annual run/walk from the Mississippi River to the top of the bluff needs many volunteers for registration, course marshals, water stations and finish. Get a yummy burger & a t-shirt for your hard work. Hixon’s Enchanted Forest – Dress up as a story-book character and hand out goodies to young trick-or-treating hikers. Bird Seed Sales – Help with cashiering or loading. Our Bird Seed Sales continues to be an important fundraiser. Cardinal or Blue Jay – Be one of those crazy birds at bird seed sales, booths, special events and other promotions. Baking – We occasionally need goodies for our Summer Adventure Programs, River to Ridge, Enchanted Forest & other promotions. Butterfly Garden – Learn about the butterfly life cycle and different plants. Interact with visitors of the garden. Frog Call Survey – Learn more about frogs, their vocalizations & population trends. Groups of at least 2 people go out after dark from April until August & listen for frog calls at the LaCrosse River Marsh. Bluebird Monitoring – Help us keep track of the Bluebird population in birdhouses off Prairie Trail loop. Learn more about Bluebirds & the successful comeback of this species. We also need help with – HFNC Offsite Representative, Garden Care, Exhibit Work, Carpentry, Handiwork, Repairs, and Sewing (costumes). | 
