Volunteering is a meaningful way to make a direct impact on the health and future of our community. Whether helping monitor stream health, restoring habitat, assisting with events, or supporting outreach efforts, volunteers play a vital role in protecting Summit County’s natural resources. Beyond benefiting the environment, volunteering provides individuals with opportunities to learn new skills, connect with like-minded people, spend time outdoors, and build a stronger connection to their local community and watershed.

For conservation organizations like Summit SWCD, volunteers are invaluable. As a small organization with limited resources, volunteer support allows us to expand our reach, collect more environmental data, engage more residents, and accomplish projects that would otherwise not be possible. By volunteering, community members become active stewards of the environment and help create a healthier, more resilient Summit County for future generations.

Volunteer Opportunities

Stream Stompers – Water Chemistry Monitoring
Help track the health of local streams by collecting monthly water quality data from May through October. Volunteers visit a stream site of their choice once a month and record water chemistry measurements that help identify trends and support watershed management efforts. This is a great opportunity to spend time outdoors while contributing to meaningful environmental research.

Creek Crawlers – Macroinvertebrate Monitoring
Discover the tiny creatures that tell us big things about stream health! Volunteers sample aquatic macroinvertebrates—such as mayflies, stoneflies, and caddisflies—at a stream site of their choice. These organisms are important indicators of water quality and ecosystem health.

Polar Patrol – Winter Chloride Monitoring
Monitor the effects of winter road salt on local waterways. From December through March, volunteers collect monthly chloride samples at one or more stream sites and submit their findings to staff. This simple but impactful project helps us better understand how winter maintenance practices affect stream health.

Community Crew – Outreach & Event Volunteers
Help connect people with conservation! Community Crew volunteers assist Summit SWCD staff at festivals, fairs, workshops, and other public events by sharing information about our programs and environmental stewardship. It's a fun way to meet people, support conservation, and attend events free of charge.

Special Events Volunteers
Make a difference through hands-on conservation projects. Volunteers assist with activities such as native plant installations, invasive species removal, litter cleanups, habitat restoration, and more. These one-time opportunities are perfect for individuals looking to volunteer occasionally and make an immediate impact.

River Guardian
Partner with River Guardians Ohio to help keep litter out of our waterways. Volunteers monitor and maintain trash booms—floating barriers that capture debris before it travels downstream. Choose a site to monitor, report conditions, or adopt a boom and help keep it clean on a regular basis.

Volunteer Log-in

Water Quality Sampling Areas for 2026

Volunteer Training - 2024

Rain Garden planting - 2026

Summit SWCD's volunteer program is sponsored in part by the following organizations:

Join the Team!

Summit SWCD Volunteer Newsletter

Want to learn more about our volunteer program and upcoming events? Click the button below to receive our quarterly volunteer newsletter! 

Newsletter Signup

Summit SWCD ​Volunteers

Interested in volunteering to help with stream sampling, event tabling, fun one-time projects like invasive removal, plantings, trash clean ups, and more?
Click the button below for volunteer application. A SSWCD staff member will follow up with you once you submit. 

Become A Volunteer!