Register to volunteer with City of Des Moines Parks and Recreation Department via VolunteerLocal

2025 Nature Program Volunteers

Thank you for applying to volunteer with the City of Des Moines Parks and Recreation! We are so excited you want to join our team of over 5,000 volunteers helping Des Moines Live Well, Play Hard, and Protect the Earth.

Volunteers play an important role in parks and recreation by providing positive experiences for youth and adults in our community. We hope you enjoy your volunteer experience whether that is coaching, instructing, or helping with our events.

Our Volunteer Vision is: Together, we grow meaningful community connections that celebrate our diversity, cultivate inclusivity, and inspire shared passion and purpose for enriching Des Moines’ quality of life.

Nature Program Volunteers:

Volunteer for Des Moines Parks and Recreation by assisting our Naturalist at family-friendly nature programs.

Volunteers must be adults (18+) or 14-17 (with parental approval).

You must pass a background check to volunteer at our nature programs. Information on this process is attached to our volunteer instructor application.

Please make sure you complete the full nature program volunteer application on the next page and choose your desired shift(s). You will receive an email confirmation titled "Nature Program Volunteer Confirmation" when you have completed the process.

For more information about our nature programs, please visit the following website: Nature Programs