Volunteering in a Park

"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant."
---Robert Louis Stevenson

Broward County Parks and Recreation Division is a nationally accredited recreation agency dedicated to providing a variety of exceptional programs, services, and facilities essential to the quality of life in Broward County while preserving our natural areas. With regional parks, natural areas, nature centers, and staffed neighborhood parks located throughout the County, we have developed strong ties to our community in order to meet recreational program and service needs.

The Broward County Parks and Recreation Division's Volunteer Program offers students, families, individuals, and small and large groups short-term or long-term opportunities to share their time and talents with the community in a wide variety of interesting and valuable experiences. Several volunteer opportunities are available throughout Broward County Parks. No previous experience is necessary, and we are ready to provide training and assistance with any opportunity you choose.

By volunteering only a few hours a week you can:

• Educate the public about the ecology, sensitivity, and importance of South Florida's remaining natural areas.
• Help the environment by volunteering to clear natural areas of trash and invasive plants by participating in Eco-Action Days.
• Assist a child with one-on-one homework help and build his/her self-esteem.
• Develop leadership and customer-service skills necessary when working with others.
• Develop and instill the life skills of sportsmanship, leadership, and team building in young people through our Youth Development Program.
• Fulfill your educationally required community service hours.
• Assist in organizing and conducting special events while developing stronger ties to the community.
• Develop skills and gain experience useful for a variety of job opportunities.
  

Job Descriptions, Sample Hours, and Locations

Click to view Job Descriptions for Volunteers which includes typical hours and locations as well as other important information.

We invite you to become a part of a dedicated agency by volunteering. Volunteering opportunities vary at each park site. We can accommodate a variety of schedules and times. Please call the park of your choice directly or stop by the park office to complete a volunteer application.  For volunteers under 18 years old, parental signatures are required.  Please bring a photo ID to the park when you sign up.  For Parks’ locations please click here. For additional information, contact the Broward County Parks and Recreation Division's Volunteer Coordinator, Anita Ziegler, at 954-357-8153.

JUDY MARGOLIS—VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
You Are "Beary" Special. Thanks for All That You Do!

Fern Forest Nature Center is a 247-acre nature center in the Broward County Parks and Recreation Division. It comprises 10 plant communities, including a tropical hardwood hammock, an open prairie, and a cypress/maple swamp. A remnant of the Cypress Creek floodway and other distinctive geological features are also found within this protected wilderness. We are committed to preserving the native habitats found within the park and providing the public with quality environmental programs and services.

Judy Margolis, a retired schoolteacher from New York City, has been a volunteer at Fern Forest Nature Center since 1995. She conducts guided nature walks, acts as a docent in our nature center, works with visiting school groups that come to the park for environmental field trips, and assists with special events. The main portion of her time, however, is spent fulfilling her duties as the current secretary/treasurer of Fern Allies, the volunteer organization at Fern Forest. She single-handedly keeps the organization running and coordinates the volunteers so that the programs and special events offered at Fern Forest remain of the highest quality. While working diligently in the office, Margolis routinely interrupts what she is doing to interact with the public. She never lets an opportunity pass to talk with visitors, answer questions, and ask thought-provoking questions of her own to young and old alike. The time and attention Margolis shows visitors really help them understand the distinctiveness of Fern Forest and appreciate our natural heritage. As if that weren't enough, in her spare time she makes sure that our nature center residents, an eastern indigo snake and a yellow rat snake, are comfortable and happy with a clean home and fresh water. She truly is an exemplary human being!

Judy Margolis is extremely committed to Fern Forest Nature Center and is most deserving of the Volunteer of the Year Award for Broward County Parks and Recreation.