Opportunities From: United Way of King County

Volunteer: Pioneer Park Planting Party

Join us for a Forest Steward led planting event in Pioneer Park! Volunteers have been working hard removing ivy from the under story of the park. Now there is plenty of open space to repopulate with native plants. This will help create a healthier ecosystem with more biodiversity.

Get your hands in the dirt, work alongside neighbors and friends, and eat snacks! No experience necessary. All ages welcome; gloves and tools are provided.

Please note: we require participants aged 14 and under to volunteer with a parent or guardian at a ratio of 1 adult to 3 kids.

 

When: Saturday, November 22nd, 10am-12pm

Where: Pioneer Park SE, a map will be provided for directions to the specific work site

What to bring: Dress for the weather in clothes you don’t mind getting dirty (think: long pants, boots or sneakers). Bring water. Small snacks, gloves, and tools will be provided.

Organization: Mercer Island Parks and Rec

Join us for a Forest Steward led planting event in Pioneer Park! Volunteers have been working hard removing ivy from the under story of the park. Now there is plenty of open space to repopulate with native plants. This will help create a healthier ecosystem with more biodiversity.

Get your hands in the dirt, work alongside neighbors and friends, and eat snacks! No experience necessary. All ages welcome; gloves and tools are provided.

Please note: we require participants aged 14 and under to volunteer with a parent or guardian at a ratio of 1 adult to 3 kids.

 

When: Saturday, November 22nd, 10am-12pm

Where: Pioneer Park SE, a map will be provided for directions to the specific work site

What to bring: Dress for the weather in clothes you don’t mind getting dirty (think: long pants, boots or sneakers). Bring water. Small snacks, gloves, and tools will be provided.

Organization: Mercer Island Parks and Rec

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Happens On Nov 22, 2025

Zip Code: 98040

Allow Groups: Yes


Volunteer: Mercerdale Hillside Park Clean Up

 

Join us for a Forest Steward led ivy removal event in Mercerdale Hillside Park. This beautiful and dynamic park is home to winding trails, a stream, and beautiful tree canopy. However, the forest floor of much of this park is covered in non-native common ivy. Help us remove ivy to create healthier ecosystems and more space for native plants to thrive.  

Get your hands in the dirt, work alongside neighbors and friends, and eat snacks! No experience necessary. All ages welcome; gloves and tools are provided.

Please note: we require participants aged 14 and under to volunteer with a parent or guardian at a ratio of 1 adult to 3 kids.

 

When: Saturday, November 22nd, 10am-12pm

Where: Mercerdale Hillside, a map will be provided for directions to the specific work site

What to bring: Dress for the weather in clothes you don’t mind getting dirty (think: long pants, boots or sneakers). Bring water. Small snacks, gloves, and tools will be provided.

Organization: Mercer Island Parks and Rec

 

Join us for a Forest Steward led ivy removal event in Mercerdale Hillside Park. This beautiful and dynamic park is home to winding trails, a stream, and beautiful tree canopy. However, the forest floor of much of this park is covered in non-native common ivy. Help us remove ivy to create healthier ecosystems and more space for native plants to thrive.  

Get your hands in the dirt, work alongside neighbors and friends, and eat snacks! No experience necessary. All ages welcome; gloves and tools are provided.

Please note: we require participants aged 14 and under to volunteer with a parent or guardian at a ratio of 1 adult to 3 kids.

 

When: Saturday, November 22nd, 10am-12pm

Where: Mercerdale Hillside, a map will be provided for directions to the specific work site

What to bring: Dress for the weather in clothes you don’t mind getting dirty (think: long pants, boots or sneakers). Bring water. Small snacks, gloves, and tools will be provided.

Organization: Mercer Island Parks and Rec

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Happens On Nov 22, 2025

Zip Code: 98040

Allow Groups: Yes


Volunteer: 62nd St Trail Planting Party!

Volunteers have been hard at work, clearing lots of weeds off the trail. Now it’s time to replace those weeds with plenty of native plants. Join this Forest Steward led event to help create healthier habitat along the trail. It will be a great chance to get your hands in the dirt and work alongside neighbors and friends! No experience necessary; gloves and tools are provided.

 

Please note: we require participants aged 14 and under to volunteer with a parent or guardian at a ratio of 1 adult to 3 kids.

 

When: Saturday, November 29th, 10am-12pm

Where: 62nd Street Trail off of Island Crest Way, if driving you can park at the intersection of 84th Ave SE and SE 62nd st.

What to bring: Dress for the weather in clothes you don’t mind getting dirty (think: long pants, boots or sneakers). Bring a water bottle. Small snacks, gloves, and tools will be provided.

Organization: Mercer Island Parks and Rec

Volunteers have been hard at work, clearing lots of weeds off the trail. Now it’s time to replace those weeds with plenty of native plants. Join this Forest Steward led event to help create healthier habitat along the trail. It will be a great chance to get your hands in the dirt and work alongside neighbors and friends! No experience necessary; gloves and tools are provided.

 

Please note: we require participants aged 14 and under to volunteer with a parent or guardian at a ratio of 1 adult to 3 kids.

 

When: Saturday, November 29th, 10am-12pm

Where: 62nd Street Trail off of Island Crest Way, if driving you can park at the intersection of 84th Ave SE and SE 62nd st.

What to bring: Dress for the weather in clothes you don’t mind getting dirty (think: long pants, boots or sneakers). Bring a water bottle. Small snacks, gloves, and tools will be provided.

Organization: Mercer Island Parks and Rec

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Happens On Nov 29, 2025

Zip Code: 98040

Allow Groups: Yes


Volunteer: Volunteer Event Assistants

Event assistants help out either Volunteer Coordinator or Forest Stewards with day-of event tasks, from event set-up and break down, volunteer registration forms, taking photos  during event, and leading volunteers in restoration tasks. Restoration tasks will include removing weeds, planting, spreading mulch and gravel, watering, and some trail work among others.

Note: Volunteer assistants are not expected to spend event time actively doing restoration, but rather guiding attendees by offering help and giving advice on best practices.

Duties:

Attend orientation Attend various volunteer events at different parks around Mercer Island (events held once a week, alternating Saturdays, and Wednesday/Thursdays) Attend optional trainings (These trainings will be led and designed by a combination of Volunteer Coordinator, Forest Stewards, and Volunteer Event Assistants, and can reflect things you’re interested in learning about.) Manage volunteer sign-ins and waivers Help with unloading tools and set-up of volunteer table Assist with break-down of volunteer table and loading tools Give demonstrations for proper tool use and restoration techniques Answer volunteer questions Take photos of participants throughout event

Time Commitment:

3-hour orientation before starting position Additional optional trainings occur throughout the year and run about 2-3 hours. Events typically run 2-3 hours, we ask Volunteer Event Assistants to arrive a half hour before start time, and stay between 15-30 minutes after the end of the event Ideally Volunteer Event Assistants can commit to attending a minimum of 3 events throughout the year.

Organization: Mercer Island Parks and Rec

Event assistants help out either Volunteer Coordinator or Forest Stewards with day-of event tasks, from event set-up and break down, volunteer registration forms, taking photos  during event, and leading volunteers in restoration tasks. Restoration tasks will include removing weeds, planting, spreading mulch and gravel, watering, and some trail work among others.

Note: Volunteer assistants are not expected to spend event time actively doing restoration, but rather guiding attendees by offering help and giving advice on best practices.

Duties:

Attend orientation Attend various volunteer events at different parks around Mercer Island (events held once a week, alternating Saturdays, and Wednesday/Thursdays) Attend optional trainings (These trainings will be led and designed by a combination of Volunteer Coordinator, Forest Stewards, and Volunteer Event Assistants, and can reflect things you’re interested in learning about.) Manage volunteer sign-ins and waivers Help with unloading tools and set-up of volunteer table Assist with break-down of volunteer table and loading tools Give demonstrations for proper tool use and restoration techniques Answer volunteer questions Take photos of participants throughout event

Time Commitment:

3-hour orientation before starting position Additional optional trainings occur throughout the year and run about 2-3 hours. Events typically run 2-3 hours, we ask Volunteer Event Assistants to arrive a half hour before start time, and stay between 15-30 minutes after the end of the event Ideally Volunteer Event Assistants can commit to attending a minimum of 3 events throughout the year.

Organization: Mercer Island Parks and Rec

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Is Ongoing

Zip Code: 98040

Allow Groups: No


Volunteer: Photography and Media Volunteers

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

Mercer Island’s Natural Resources Department is looking for volunteer photographers. Volunteers in this role will take photos for promotional materials and marketing purposes. We’re specifically looking for photographers to capture our various events, along with photos of plants and wildlife across the island.

We will accept photographers of all levels from students to professionals. We do not have a camera to provide.

 

DUTIES:

Attend restoration and trail events held across the island (can drop in, not required to stay the full event) Take photos at tabling and educational events Take photos of wildlife (ie: birds, deer, insects, etc) and plants Follow specific photo prompts

Organization: Mercer Island Parks and Rec

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

Mercer Island’s Natural Resources Department is looking for volunteer photographers. Volunteers in this role will take photos for promotional materials and marketing purposes. We’re specifically looking for photographers to capture our various events, along with photos of plants and wildlife across the island.

We will accept photographers of all levels from students to professionals. We do not have a camera to provide.

 

DUTIES:

Attend restoration and trail events held across the island (can drop in, not required to stay the full event) Take photos at tabling and educational events Take photos of wildlife (ie: birds, deer, insects, etc) and plants Follow specific photo prompts

Organization: Mercer Island Parks and Rec

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Is Ongoing

Zip Code: 98040

Allow Groups: No