About volunteering with the Monarch Research Project

We need you! The MRP is primarily a volunteer-based operation and we rely heavily on our volunteers for everything from planning to planting, plotting to harvest.

We put out calls for seasonal, specific help (like 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 planting trees, distributing acorns, 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 three examples of way to volunteer:

Program Volunteer: Planting Forward
Help transform Linn County’s landscape by volunteering with the Planting Forward Tree Program! This October, assist with unloading, organizing, and distributing 20,000 native trees to residents. Since 2020, our community has planted over 100,000 trees—be part of this incredible effort to rebuild and sustain our natural environment!

Program Volunteer: Mighty Acorn Society
Our newest program launches this spring. Help restore Linn County’s tree canopy with the Mighty Acorn Society! From late winter to early summer, volunteer to distribute acorns, host events, or plant oak saplings. Together, we’ll grow over 400 young oaks this year to create a greener, healthier community. Join us!

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. 

Seed Savers Club
Join the Seed Savers Club and help preserve native plants! Volunteers can choose to collect seeds in our prairies and gardens or work from home sorting, packaging, and labeling seeds for distribution. Whether you prefer outdoor activity or contributing from home, there’s a role for everyone in supporting this vital effort. Get involved today!

Select one of these options in our volunteer signup form below, or select GENERAL if you're interesting and willing to volunteer in all areas.  

Day of Caring Volunteers

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

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.
 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.