Make a Difference with the Monarch Research

We need you! Monarch Research is primarily a volunteer-based operation, and we rely heavily on our volunteers to help keep our prairies thriving, our programs running smoothly, and our monarchs healthy.

We put out calls for seasonal, specific help (like event help or a milkweed seed harvest day) and we also need ongoing daily help during the planting and monarch rearing seasons.

Complete our volunteer sign up form to get on our volunteer call-list.

Volunteer Today!

Join us in making a lasting impact on Linn County’s environment! Whether you’re weeding flower beds, distributing trees for planting, or caring for pollinators, your time and effort help restore our natural landscapes and support vital ecosystems. Volunteer today and be part of a community dedicated to growing a greener, healthier future!

Here are a few examples of volunteer opportunities:

Program Volunteer: Planting Forward
Help restore Linn County’s tree canopy by volunteering with the Planting Forward Tree Program! Each October, assist with unloading, organizing, and distributing 20,000 plus native trees to residents. Since 2020, our community has planted over 140,000 trees—be part of this incredible effort to rebuild and sustain our natural environment!

Program Volunteer: Native Oasis
Help homeowners establish a thriving pollinator garden with Native Oasis! In the fall, help distribute cardboard, mulch, and other materials to homeowners in preparation for native planting the following spring. Join us in our effort to educate and equip Linn County residents with the materials needed to plant native garden spaces that will become thriving habitats for pollinators and other wildlife.

General Help: Monarch Research Station
Make a difference at the Monarch Research Station! From April to November, volunteers help maintain pollinator habitats, care for monarchs, and nurture biodiversity. Whether you enjoy hands-on work or detailed care, you’ll play a vital role in supporting pollinators and creating thriving ecosystems. General help at the Monarch Research Stations provides individuals - or groups - the chance to establish consistent volunteer hours, while keeping a flexible schedule. 

Day of Caring Volunteers

Volunteer Process

To ensure we're pairing our volunteers with opportunities that best fit their interests and availability, we take each new volunteer through the following onboarding process:

Step 1: Fill Out Volunteer Form

Each new volunteer is required to fill out the below form; this helps us organize our volunteer needs, as well as learn more about our volunteer's interests, capabilities, and availability. 

Step 2: Discovery Call

A team member from the Monarch Research team will reach out to you via phone for a discovery call. This is a chance for us to learn more about your background, what you're looking for in volunteer opportunities, and share more information about what it's like to volunteer with us.

Step 3: Volunteer Roster

After the discovery call - if you feel we are still a good fit for your volunteer interests - we will add you to our active volunteer roster. If you expressed interest in helping at the Monarch Research Station, our Station Manager Dani Holthaus will reach out with more information about current and seasonal opportunities.

Step 4: Volunteer Opportunities

Throughout the year we will call on volunteers from our active roster based on our volunteer needs. Opportunities will vary based on the monarch rearing season, planting season, and program needs. 

Day of Caring Volunteers

Ready? Complete our volunteer intake form and get started!

 Are you interested in joining us anytime? Select "seasonal" options if you'd like to concentrate your activities in late spring, summer, and early fall. If you have a day-time commitment, select an evenings/weekends option.
 What are you most interested in? Check all that apply or select GENERAL if you're interested and willing to volunteer in all areas.
 Please tell us a little about yourself and why you'd like to volunteer with us.
 Tell us about any special skills you have that might be helpful at the MRS:

By submitting this volunteer application, I hereby agree for myself, my executors, administrators, heirs, next of kin, successors, and assigns to the following terms:

1. WAIVER AND RELEASE: I hereby waive, release, and discharge Monarch Research from any and all liability, including but not limited to liability arising from negligence or fault of the released parties, for: death, disability, personal injury, property damage, property theft, any other actions related to participation in volunteer activities or events.

2. INDEMNIFICATION: I agree to indemnify and hold harmless Monarch Research, including its directors, officers, employees, volunteers, representatives, agents, and insurers, from any and all liabilities or claims resulting from participation in this activity or event, whether caused by negligence or otherwise.

3. PARENTAL/GUARDIAN RELEASE: By this release, I specifically waive, release, and discharge all released parties from liability to me in my capacity as parent, guardian, administrator, or executor on behalf of the participant.

4. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF RISKS: I understand that this activity or event may involve risks of serious injury and property loss. These risks may include, but are not limited to, those caused by: terrain and facilities, temperature and weather conditions, participant condition, equipment, vehicular traffic, actions of participants, volunteers, spectators, officials, and event monitors, lack of hydration

PHOTOGRAPHY CONSENT

I hereby grant Monarch Research permission to: photograph me during activities and use such photographs in marketing and promotional materials. Photographs may be published in: newsletters, brochures, displays, website, or social media platforms

By checking the box below, I acknowledge that I have read, understood, and agree to the terms of both the Liability Waiver and Photography Consent sections of this document.


Do you have a group looking for a volunteer project? Let us know! Click the button below to complete our Group Volunteer form.

Group Volunteer Form