Volunteers in Forest Park
Forest Park Forever Volunteer programs are generously sponsored by E. Reuben & Gladys Flora Grant Charitable Trust.
Join Us in Sustaining a Treasure
Forest Park Forever volunteers help make Forest Park what it is today—an indispensable civic asset, a place of beauty and discovery that connects our entire community.
Apply to be a Forest Park Forever volunteer today! With exception for chaperoned group projects, Forest Park Forever cannot accept applicants under the age of 18.
Already a Forest Park Forever volunteer? Log your hours!
Find the VicNet Volunteer Portal app in the Apple App Store or Google Play
Log into the VicNet portal with your username (email address) and password.
At the bottom of the screen, select the “service” tab and log your hours.
Volunteer Opportunities
Below you will find a wide range of opportunities to volunteer in Forest Park. These include stewardship of the land, along with special projects and administrative support. We also have visitor services and public programs that couldn’t happen without generous volunteers like you!
Thank you for helping keep Forest Park a beautiful and welcoming place for all of us.
Stewardship of the Land
Horticulture: Seasonal planting, weeding, pruning, trash removal, watering and mulching on weekday mornings.
Nature Reserve: Vegetation management to restore ecosystem function and structure within natural communities; seasonal planting, burn prep, and seed collection and processing. Shifts take place primarily on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings.
Arbor Crew: Tree planting, watering, mulching and maintaining tree rings. Shifts take place primarily on Tuesday-Friday mornings.
Bluebird Monitoring: Monitor bluebird boxes to provide healthy and safe artificial nesting. Volunteers collect breeding data as well as safety and maintenance documentation. Shifts take place on Friday through Monday during bluebird monitoring season, which is March through August.
Episodic Park Projects for Individuals: Monthly opportunities are sent to volunteers interested in joining our Land Management team on an episodic basis. These Park Projects can range from planting and mulching to weeding and invasive species removal depending on time of year and needs from the team.
Projects for Groups: Complete a group project request here. Chaperoned group projects are the only opportunities Forest Park Forever can accept applicants under the age of 18. Opportunities for groups include:
Land Management Park Projects may include weeding and mulching and are scheduled on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. through 12:00 p.m. or 1:00 through 3:00 p.m.
Trash & Trash is a self-led program that can be done any day of the week between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
The Kennedy Woods Advisory Group (KWAG) engages volunteers in ecological and native restoration in Kennedy Forest Savanna. Please complete this application form if you are interested in volunteering with KWAG. This opportunity takes place monthly on Saturday mornings from 10:00 a.m. through 12:00 p.m.
The Flora Conservancy is an independent nonprofit that partners with the City of St. Louis to offer horticulture opportunities in Forest Park on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings. If interested and for more information, please visit this St. Louis City page or call 314.289.5323.
Thank you for helping keep Forest Park beautiful.
Events, Special Projects and Administrative Support
Events: Forest Park Forever hosts a variety of events throughout the year. Event volunteers help Forest Park Forever staff with with registration, way finding, assisting guests, setup and breakdown, disseminating information, recycling and composting, and a variety of other tasks. Shifts are typically 3-5 hours in duration.
Women’s Committee of Forest Park Forever: One of our most enduring affinity groups, the Women’s Committee engages the community to raise funds that support the maintenance and restoration of Forest Park. Since its founding in 1990, this dedicated committee has raised more than $7 million, primarily through one of the most well-known and eagerly anticipated events—the annual Hat Luncheon. Participation on this volunteer committee requires an annual Forest Park Forever membership. Not a member? Join today!
Young Friends of Forest Park Forever: This affinity group brings young people together to support Forest Park for today’s visitors and future generations. The Young Friends spearhead events inside the Park including our annual trivia night, golf tournament and social gatherings. A Young Friends Board manage the group and works with Committees to organize opportunities, advocate, fundraise and volunteer. Participation on this volunteer committee requires an annual Forest Park Forever membership. Not a member? Join today!
Administrative Support: Volunteers assist staff with office and clerical work in the Forest Park Forever office. This may include mailings, filing and other office needs.
Special Projects: Volunteers may use their skills and interests to assist Forest Park Forever staff in special projects. Volunteers will be matched with ongoing projects based on the skills listed on their volunteer application.
Thank you for helping keep Forest Park a place for all of us.
Visitor Services and Public Programs
Forest Park Ambassadors: Distributing maps, giving directions and assisting with public transit. Familiarity with Forest Park is required. Shifts are Friday through Monday in the late mornings and early afternoons, spring through fall.
Education: Volunteers work with the Education Department in a variety of weekday and weekend opportunities to support educational programming geared mainly toward young children. Help is needed during Storytimes on Monday, weekly field trips supporting local schools and the occasional weekend event in the Park. Most shifts are 2–4 hours in duration.
Information Desk: In partnership with Explore St. Louis, volunteers provide helpful information from the Dennis & Judith Jones Visitor and Education Center Information Desk. Familiarity with Forest Park, St. Louis attractions and the St. Louis region is required. Shifts are 9:00 a.m through 12:30 p.m. and 12:30 through 4:00 p.m., Monday through Sunday. To apply for this volunteer position, please visit the Explore St. Louis website.
Thank you for helping keep Forest Park welcoming.
Questions?
Contact our Volunteer Team by email or call 314.367.7275.