Outdoors & Recreation
Help keep your parks beautiful, preserve natural resources and connect visitors to nature by volunteering with Parks & Recreation. Most positions are based at Tamarack Nature Center in White Bear Township.
Current Tamarack Nature Center opportunities
View all volunteer positions (PDF) at Tamarack Nature Center by season
Ski & Snowshoe Rental Attendant
Ages: Adults (18 and older); youth ages 15-17; age 12-14 with an adult
Time commitment: Late December through early March; 3+ shifts per season; 2-3 hours each time; mostly weekends
Training: Training scheduled for Saturday, December 14, 2024, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Requirements: Friendly, customer-service oriented personality; some knowledge of cross country skis and snowshoes helpful, but not required
Description: Volunteers team up with our staff to run the Ski & Snowshoe Shack, where visitors come to rent equipment for a winter adventure out on the trails. Volunteers assist customers with the fitting of skis and snowshoes, and recommend trails based on conditions and experience levels.
Email Savannah Maiers if you are interested in this volunteer opportunity!
Junior Assistant Naturalists (JANs)
Ages: 14–17 (must be age 14 by September 1, 2025)
Time commitment: Summer; 3–5 weeks, 4 day weeks (except for the week of June 30- July 2 - only 3 days Monday –Wednesday). Needed from 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. daily.
Requirements: Applicants must enjoy working with small children, getting their hands dirty and be a playful and active participant. A strong sense of commitment and responsibility are also required.
Traits of a successful Junior Assistant Naturalist:
- Willingness to assist staff with set up and take down of activities.
- Communicate effectively with Tamarack staff with questions, concerns, and anything that effects your ability to volunteer.
- Be a team player.
- Bring a positive attitude and be an active participant.
- Be aware of needs of campers, staff, volunteers and yourself.
Training dates (in-person at Tamarack Nature Center):
- Tuesday, June 17 2025 – 12:45 pm-3:45 pm
- Wednesday, June 18 2025 – 10:00am-3:00pm
Maple Syrup Volunteer
Positions Available: Sap Collector, Sap Evaporator, Sap Finisher
Ages: Sap Collecting is great for all ages and for families; children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult; Evaporators and Finishers must be adults (18 and older)
Time commitment: varies, usually early March through late April; time commitment and shifts depend on the position; weekday and weekend shifts available; 3+ shifts per season, Sap Collectors generally work 1-2 hours each time; Evaporators and Finishers work half-day or day-long shifts
Training: Training scheduled for February 1, 2025, 3:00 – 4:30 pm
Requirements: Sap Collectors need to be able to walk about 1 mile on snow or uneven trails pulling a wagon of supplies; some hauling and lifting required; Sap Evaporators must be able to stand or sit for long periods and consistently tend a fire; Sap Finishers should have some knowledge of the canning process
Description: Once the sap starts flowing in early spring, volunteers visit the sugar bush daily to collect from tapped maple trees. Sap is hauled and stored in the Sugar Shack, where Evaporators cook it slowly over a fire to begin the process of making syrup. Finishers work in the kitchen to complete the final cooking process and to preserve the finished syrup.
Group volunteer opportunities
Parks & Recreation: Thony Thao or 651-266-0300.
Tamarack Nature Center: Savannah Maiers or 651-266-0362.