Volunteer Workdays
Ash Cave Eastern Reserve, HWA Monitoring - CANCELLED -
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
26400 OH-56, South Bloomingville, OH 43152 (Map).
Join us for our annual Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) monitoring. You will be working with Ethan King, Land Steward, AmeriCorps member Emily, and fellow volunteers as we traverse the hills and forests of Hocking County, checking our Hemlock trees for signs of the invasive Woolly Adelgid and taking notes on the location and infestation. No experience is necessary; all are welcome. We will be walking off trails and on steep slopes; sturdy hiking shoes or boots are recommended. Please bring a personal water bottle, a packed lunch, and/or snacks. All equipment needed will be provided. The workday is from 10 am - 2 pm. Please note that there are no restroom facilities at this preserve. For registration, click (HERE).
Photo by Tim Pohlar
Sylvan Deep, HWA Monitoring
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Spencer Rd. Ray, OH 45672 (Map).
Join us for our annual Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) monitoring. You will be working with Ethan King, Land Steward, AmeriCorps member Emily, and fellow volunteers as we traverse the hills and forests of Jackson County, checking our Hemlock trees for signs of the invasive Woolly Adelgid and taking notes on the location and infestation. No experience is necessary; all are welcome. We will be walking off trails and on steep slopes; sturdy hiking shoes or boots are recommended. Please bring a personal water bottle, a packed lunch, and/or snacks. All equipment needed will be provided. The workday is from 10 am - 2 pm. Please note that there are no restroom facilities at this preserve. For registration, click HERE).
photo by Elijah Crabtree
Honeycomb Rocks, HWA Monitoring
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
24102 Co Rd 34, Rockbridge, OH 43149 (Map)
Join us for our annual Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) monitoring. You will be working with Ethan King, Land Steward, AmeriCorps member Emily, and fellow volunteers as we traverse the hills and forests of Hocking County, checking our Hemlock trees for signs of the invasive Woolly Adelgid and taking notes on the location and infestation. No experience is necessary; all are welcome. We will be walking off trails and on steep slopes; sturdy hiking shoes or boots are recommended. Please bring a personal water bottle, a packed lunch, and/or snacks. All equipment needed will be provided. The workday is from 10 am - 2 pm. Please note that there are no restroom facilities at this preserve. For registration, click (HERE).
photo by Elijah Crabtree
Red Rock Bluffs, HWA Monitoring
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
SR 664, South Bloomingville, OH 43152 (Map)
Join us for our annual Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) monitoring. You will be working with Ethan King, Land Steward, AmeriCorps member Emily, and fellow volunteers as we traverse the hills and forests of Hocking County, checking our Hemlock trees for signs of the invasive Woolly Adelgid and taking notes on the location and infestation. No experience is necessary; all are welcome. Note: You will be walking off trails and on steep slopes, so sturdy hiking shoes or boots are recommended. Please bring a personal water bottle, a packed lunch, and/or snacks. All equipment needed will be provided. The workday is from 10 am - 2 pm. Please note that there are no restroom facilities on this preserve. For registration, click (HERE).
photo by Tim Pohlar 
Sandy Springs at Rock Run, Dune Clearing
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
U.S. Rt 52, Stout, OH 45684 (Map)
Join Land Steward Austin Newton and fellow volunteers on a unique sand-based ecosystem situated just above the Ohio River in Adams County. This preserve protects the last intact sand dunes from an ancient system of dunes that once covered miles of riverbank and hundreds of acres. We will continue pushing back the dune ridge by clearing and stump-treating the hardwoods encroaching on the area. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to visit the vernal pool that volunteers and staff restored last year, just in time for the spring amphibian breeding season. There is a job for everyone. No experience is needed; all are welcome. Please bring work gloves, a personal water bottle, a packed lunch, and/or snacks. Sturdy shoes or boots are recommended. The workday is from 10 am - 2 pm. Please note that there are no restroom facilities at this location. For registration, click (HERE).
photo by Tim Pohlar 
Big Cola, Live Stake Workday
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
14220 Big Cola Rd. Rockbridge, OH 43149 (Map)
Join Land Steward Ethan King, AmeriCorps member Emily, and fellow volunteers for a hands-on restoration workday focused on riparian habitat enhancement. Staff and volunteers will be live-staking woody cuttings harvested from native tree and shrub species, including buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) and willow (Salix spp.). These live stakes are intended to establish new woody vegetation that will stabilize streambanks, improve floodplain structure, and support long-term riparian ecosystem function within the Big Cola Wetlands preserve. Participants will also have the opportunity to observe the hydrologic effects of beaver (Castor canadensis) activity on the site. Beaver-driven modifications have played a significant role in restoring wetland hydrology and improving habitat complexity within the floodplain. This workday is suitable for all skill levels, and no prior experience is required. Please bring work gloves, a personal water bottle, a packed lunch, and snacks as needed. The workday is from 10 am - 2 pm. Please note that there are no restroom facilities at this location. For registration, click (HERE).
John Simon Farm, Noel Hollow Spur Trail Construction
February 27, 28 & March 9, 2026
8721 Carey’s Pond Creek Rd. Portsmouth, OH 45663, (Map)
Join Land Steward Austin Newton and fellow volunteers as we continue our trail construction into the remote hill country of John Simon’s ancestral 5th-generation French Farmstead, established in 1864. This future spur trail will continue through majestic oak forests and lead hikers to a ridgetop with spectacular views in late fall and winter. Volunteers will assist in creating a new and exciting trail, build steps, learn how to flatten a slope, build water bars, remove tripping hazards, and more. Come for one, two, or all three workdays. There is a job for everyone. No experience is needed; all are welcome. Please bring work gloves, a personal water bottle, a packed lunch, and/or snacks. Sturdy shoes or boots are recommended. The workday is from 10 am - 2 pm. Please note that there are no restroom facilities at this location. For registration, click (HERE).
Photo By Elijah Crabtree 
Fort Hill, Trail Maintenance
Friday, March 6, 2026
13614 Fort Hill Road, Hillsboro, OH 45133 (Map)
Join Land Steward Tim Pohlar and fellow volunteers as we do restoration work on the Gorge Trail. We will carefully dismantle an existing platform and stairs. We will be adding stepping stones to enhance accessibility and complement the natural landscape, and to restore proper drainage to prevent future issues with standing water on the trail. We will also carry out as much material as possible. This preserve is a hiker’s paradise with its limestone boulders and cliffs bordering the Baker Fork, stone arches, towering ancient trees, a high diversity of botanicals, and outstanding spring wildflower displays. There is a job for everyone. No experience is needed; all are welcome. Please bring work gloves, a personal water bottle, a packed lunch, and/or snacks. Sturdy shoes or boots are recommended. The workday is from 10 am - 2 pm. For registration, click (HERE).
Ridgeview Farm, Bird Box Fun
Saturday, March 7, 2026
6636 St. Rt. 753, Hillsboro, OH 45133 (Map)
Join Arc Director Nancy Stranahan, along with Brent Charette, Marilyn Welker, and dedicated fellow volunteers, for a rewarding day of stewardship as we clean and maintain the bird boxes nestled along the picturesque Ridgeview trails. These charming boxes serve as safe havens to raise vibrant bluebirds and graceful tree swallows, and winter shelters for birds and other wildlife. In addition, we will be expanding our efforts by installing 10 new bird boxes on sturdy fence posts, utilizing protective tubing to shield the nests from cunning predators such as snakes and mammals. Come lend a hand and enjoy the beauty of nature as we support our feathered friends! A hearty lunch awaits our volunteers at the end of the day. No experience is needed; all are welcome. Please bring work gloves, a personal water bottle, a packed lunch, and/or snacks. Sturdy shoes or boots are recommended. The workday is from 10 am - 2 pm. For registration, click (HERE)
Photo by Katherine Cubert
Junction Earthworks, Invasive Removal
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Belleview Ave, Chillicothe, OH 45601 (Map)
Join Land Steward Ethan King, AmeriCorps member Emily, and fellow volunteers as we cut and treat bush honeysuckle and multiflora rose along the Starbrook Trail at Junction Earthworks. Here, non-native invasive shrubs and flowers had nearly displaced the native species, but through the hard work of staff and volunteers, the forested hillside is now mostly cleared of invasives, leaving room for the native flowers, trees, and shrubs to make a comeback. No experience is needed; all are welcome. Please bring work gloves, a personal water bottle, a packed lunch, and/or snacks. Sturdy shoes or boots are recommended. The workday is from 10 am - 2 pm. Please note that there are no restroom facilities at this location. For registration, click (HERE)
Resilience, Invasive Removal
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
30784 Township Hwy 292, Logan, OH 43138 (Map)
Join Land Steward Ethan King, AmeriCorps member Emily, and fellow volunteers as we cut and treat the invasive Autumn Olive. Our work will focus on field edges and within the meadows—habitats of critical importance. Resilience’s meadows are home to one of the largest colonies of Henslow’s sparrows in the state, as well as box turtles and woodland salamanders. Removing invasive species is essential to protecting these sensitive species and ensuring the health and biodiversity of this unique landscape. No experience is needed; all are welcome. Please bring work gloves, a personal water bottle, a packed lunch, and/or snacks. Sturdy shoes or boots are recommended. Please note that there are no restroom facilities at this location. For registration, click (HERE)
Photo by Ethan King 
Cliff Run, Invasive Removal
Friday, March 27, 2026
7240 Cave Road, Bainbridge, OH 45612 (Map)
Join Land Steward Tim Pohlar and fellow volunteers as we tackle invasive autumn olive, bush honeysuckle, and multiflora rose in the wetlands on the other side of Cliff Run Pond. We will meet at the Whispering Springs Complex to load tools and supplies for the day and travel together to the worksite. Cliff Run opened to the public in late fall 2025 and quickly became a favorite. The preserve protects two outstanding waterways in a classic karst landscape: Cliff Run and its smaller tributary, Lewis Gorge. Both streams boast impressively deep, vertical-sided gorges with stunning rock features. Drifts of spring wildflowers cling to 50-foot vertical cliffs that border the limestone-bottomed creek and festoon the narrow riparian corridors bordering the gorges’ waterways. No experience is needed; all are welcome. Please bring work gloves, a personal water bottle, a packed lunch, and/or snacks. Sturdy shoes or boots are recommended. The workday is from 10 am - 2 pm. Please note that there are no restroom facilities at this location. For registration, click (HERE)
Photo by Ken Schory 
Big Cola, Invasive Removal
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Rockbridge, OH 43149 (Map)
Join Land Steward Ethan King, AmeriCorps member Emily, and fellow volunteers as we tackle invasive autumn olive and multiflora rose. This 65-acre diverse wetland and forest preserve will soon be opening to the public. It will feature a 400’ ADA boardwalk winding through the riparian habitat with an accessible shelter house. Visitors may be greeted by sightings of beavers, waterfowl, songbirds, and so much more. This preserve will also serve as an environmental education tool for Hocking College students, who have already been busy building trails, installing bird boxes, and removing invasive species. Keeping this area free of invasives is crucial to the health of this biodiverse habitat. No experience is needed; all are welcome. Please bring work gloves, a personal water bottle, a packed lunch, and/or snacks. Sturdy shoes or boots are recommended. The workday is from 10 am - 2 pm. Please note that there are no restroom facilities at this location. For registration, click (HERE)
Tremper Mound - Scioto River Bottoms, Tree Planting
Saturday, April 4, 2026
OH-104, McDermott, OH 45652 (Map)
Join Tremper Mound Land Steward Austin Newton and fellow volunteers as we begin year four of the Scioto River Riparian Corridor Reforestation Project. Our goal is to build back the vitally important riparian buffer along the Scioto River’s western banks by planting a diverse selection of trees, including Pin Oaks, Shellbark Hickory, Silver Maple, River Birch, and more. We have a lofty goal this year to plant 1,100 trees! We have a plan. Volunteers will assist in installing landscape cloth and protective cages around our newly planted trees along the river. You will also have a chance to see the growth of the planted trees from the last three years. No experience is necessary; all are welcome. The workday is from 10 am - 2 pm. Please bring work gloves, a personal water bottle, snacks, and/or a packed lunch. Sturdy shoes or boots are recommended. Please note that there are no restroom facilities on the preserve. For registration, click (HERE).
Photo By Archeologist Dr. Jarrod Burks 
Resilience, Invasive Removal
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
30784 Township Hwy 292, Logan, OH 43138 (Map)
Join Land Steward Ethan King and fellow Forest Keepers as we tackle invasive Japanese Barberry. This plant is an ornamental in many of our backyards, but unfortunately, it quickly escapes landscape gardens and invades our Preserves, replacing critical native plants and shrubs. Surprisingly, tick populations increase where barberry is a management issue. Overall, Japanese Barberry is a nuisance that we want to control. This will be a digging workday! We will have shovels for use, but if you have a favorite shovel that you like to use, please feel free to bring it with you. No experience is needed; all are welcome. Please bring work gloves, a personal water bottle, a packed lunch, and/or snacks. Sturdy shoes or boots are recommended. The workday is from 10 am - 2 pm. Please note that there are no restroom facilities at this location. For registration, click (HERE)
Shellbark Woods, Invasive Removal
Friday, April 24, 2026
Barrett Mill Rd. Bainbridge, OH 45612 (Map)
Join Tim Pohlar, Arc Land Stewardship Manager, land steward Jean Farkas, and fellow Biodiversity Brigade volunteers as we work together to tackle invasive species such as garlic mustard, bush honeysuckle, and multiflora rose. We will be in the beautiful Shellbark Woods Preserve, a hidden gem within the Highlands Nature Sanctuary, surrounded by stately hickories, oaks, and other forest neighbors. No experience is necessary, and all are welcome to participate. Please note that this work will require walking off the trail on some uneven terrain. While significant physical strength is not required, you should be prepared for a lot of bending to reach the plants at ground level. Our efforts to remove these invasive plants will help protect and preserve populations of ephemeral spring wildflowers. We recommend wearing sturdy shoes, bringing work gloves, and packing snacks and a water bottle. As a thank-you for your hard work, Jean and her friend Dee will provide a hearty lunch after our workday, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. The workday is from 10 am - 2 pm. For registration, click (HERE)
Ridgeview Restoration Farm, Invasive Removal
Saturday, May 2, 2026
6636 St. Rt. 753, Hillsboro, OH 45133 (Map)
Join Arc Director Nancy Stranahan, Brent Charette, Marilyn Welker, and the amazing Ridgeview Farm Biodiversity Brigade as they continue their quest to re-wild this rich and biodiverse farm. Non-native invasive plants like bush honeysuckle, autumn olive, and multiflora rose constantly challenge wildland preservationists. Spring and fall, year in and year out, staff and volunteers descend on the farm to remove these plants from the landscape. Using hand tools and the targeted application of herbicide solutions, volunteers will continue to turn the tide in favor of the native plants and animals that call Ridgeview Farm home. A hearty lunch awaits our volunteers at the end of the day. No experience is needed; all are welcome. Please bring work gloves, a personal water bottle, and snacks. Sturdy shoes or boots are recommended. The workday is from 10 am - 2 pm. For registration, click (HERE)
photo by tim pohlar 
Gladys Riley, Firefly Trail Clearing and Maintenance
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
Tick Ridge-Koenig Hill Rd, Otway, OH 45657 (Map)
Join the Arc Land Steward, Austin Newton, and fellow volunteers as we work to clear a trail in the meadow field just a short distance from the parking lot. Gladys Riley Golden Star Lily Preserve is the home to an exceptional display of spring wildflowers, among them the preserve's namesake, the golden star lily. But did you know it is also an excellent place to watch fireflies? Fireflies thrive in the damp, unmown fields of Gladys Riley, where their prey - slugs, snails, and earthworms – flourish, and where the habitat is undisturbed by lights and pesticides. In June, thousands upon thousands of glimmering fireflies cover the fields and trees alike. Christmas light fireflies flicker-flash above the grasses, Light Bulb Fireflies light up the trees, Little Grays twinkle like laser lights in the grass, and Chinese Lanterns shimmer like falling embers. It is a mesmerizing light show. Volunteers will help with minor trail benching, cutting, and branch clipping. No experience is necessary; all are welcome. Sturdy shoes, leather work gloves, a water bottle, snacks, and a packed lunch are recommended. The workday is from 10 am - 2 pm. Please note that there are no restroom facilities on the preserve. For registration, click (HERE)
Photo by Jeff White 
Sylvan Deep, Trail Construction
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Spencer Rd. Ray, OH 45672 (Map)
Join Land Stewardship Manager Ethan King and fellow volunteers as they put the finishing touches on this new trail in this 106-acre, picturesque woodland in Jackson County. This property boasts immense sandstone rock features, rock shelters, ancient hemlocks, towering oaks, and deep ravines blanketed with a variety of ferns. Volunteers will help with benching along the trail, building steps, carrying in cedars, installing signs, pouring concrete, and building a bridge. There is a job for everyone. No experience is needed; all are welcome. Sturdy shoes or boots are recommended. Please bring work gloves, a personal water bottle, a packed lunch, and/or snacks. The workday is from 10 am - 2 pm. Please note that there are no restroom facilities at this location. For registration, click (HERE).
Fort Hill, Invasive Removal
Friday, May 22, 2026
13614 Fort Hill Road, Hillsboro, OH 45133 (Map)
Join Land Steward Tim Pohlar and fellow volunteers as we do battle with the invasive multiflora rose, bush honeysuckle, and autumn olive using hand tools and targeted herbicide application. Volunteers will be trained in invasive identification and proper herbicide application. We will be working around the entrance and grounds of Fort Hill. This preserve is a hiker’s paradise with its limestone boulders and cliffs bordering the Baker Fork, stone arches, towering ancient trees, a high diversity of botanicals, and outstanding spring wildflower displays. There is a job for everyone. No experience is needed; all are welcome. Please bring work gloves, a personal water bottle, a packed lunch, and/or snacks. Sturdy shoes or boots are recommended. The workday is from 10 am - 2 pm. For registration, click (HERE).
Sylvan Deep, Trail Construction
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Spencer Rd. Ray, OH 45672 (Map)
Join Land Stewardship Manager Ethan King and fellow volunteers as they put the finishing touches on this new trail in this 106-acre, picturesque woodland in Jackson County. This property boasts immense sandstone rock features, rock shelters, ancient hemlocks, towering oaks, and deep ravines blanketed with a variety of ferns. Volunteers will help with benching along the trail, building steps, carrying in cedars, installing signs, pouring concrete, and building a bridge. There is a job for everyone. No experience is needed; all are welcome. Sturdy shoes or boots are recommended. Please bring work gloves, a personal water bottle, a packed lunch, and/or snacks. The workday is from 10 am - 2 pm. Please note that there are no restroom facilities at this location. For registration, click (HERE).
Barrett's Rim, Invasive Removal
Friday, June 26, 2026
7240 Cave Road, Bainbridge, OH 45612 (Map)
Join Land Steward Tim Pohlar and fellow volunteers as we battle the ever tenacious multiflora rose. Volunteers will be trained on the use of backpack sprayers, including mixing and proper handling. We will meet at the Whispering Springs Complex for training, to load supplies for the day, and travel together to the worksite. Some will use backpack sprayers to spot spray, and others will work downstream to cut larger multiflora rose, autumn olive, and vines. These invasive species threaten native species in this incredibly biodiverse region. Barrett's Rim trail is often referred to as the "Jewel of the Rocky Fork Gorge" due to the copious amount of spring wildflowers that grow on its vertical cliffs and breathtaking rock features. No experience is necessary; all are welcome. Volunteers will be trained on invasive plant identification and the safe treatment methods used to remove the non-native, invasive plants. Sturdy shoes or boots, leather work gloves, a water bottle, snacks, and a packed lunch are recommended. The workday is from 10 am - 2 pm. Please note that there is no restroom at this location. For registration, click (HERE).
Photo by Tim pohlar