LLELA needs volunteer assistance in almost all areas of operations on an ongoing basis. Please contact the staff listed for the project you are most interested in, below. **Note LLELA does have opportunities for large groups to volunteer. Contact Restoration Manager Richard Freiheit at freiheit@unt.edu.

Habitat Restoration

Every Monday and Wednesday, as well as the 1st Saturday of the month, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Contact Restoration Manager Richard Freiheit at freiheit@unt.edu.

• Help in LLELA’s native plant nursery.
• Assist in workdays to plant prairie grasses, seed wildflowers, or plant wetland plants.
• Process seeds to prepare them for planting (can be an indoor, seated job).
• Control invasive exotic plant species.
• Help cut new trails.
• Maintain existing trails, including the kayak/canoe trail. 

University of North Texas Students

Environmental Volunteerism Graduation Cord: Recognizes students for their outstanding contribution to environmental sustainability through community volunteerism. The LLELA Track of the EVGC immerses volunteers in hands-on techniques used in ecological restoration. Through this track, students will gain knowledge and an appreciation for what it takes to restore ecological function in disturbed habitats. Students who complete at least 75 volunteer hours at LLELA will earn the EVGC and qualify for the LLELA Restoration Intern Program. Students interested in the internship or volunteering at LLELA must email Richard Freiheit, Freiheit@unt.edu. For more information about how to complete the EVGC Program, go to the We Mean Green Fund website. 

LLELA Restoration Internship Program: Open to UNT students who have completed the requirements for the LLELA Track of the Environmental Volunteerism Graduation Cord. This internship experience provides important practice in ecological restoration and wildlife knowledge. The unpaid internship requires 160 hours of work at LLELA which can be completed at a personalized pace. Students have the option of completing the internship over a concentrated summer period or throughout multiple semesters and/or breaks. To request information or apply for the LLELA Restoration Intern Program, contact Richard Freiheit, Freiheit@unt.edu.

Natural Pathways - High School Students

Natural Pathways is a service learning program for high school students and was created through a partnership of LISD Environmental Learning Staff, the University of North Texas, and LLELA.  Any high school aged student is welcome to join.

As Natural Pathways participants, student volunteers:

• participate in hands-on restoration and research projects,
• are prepared to pursue environmental education,
• learn about possible career paths, and 
• support LLELA's mission to heal the land and restore the bond between people and nature.

Natural Pathways meets at LLELA from 9 a.m. to Noon on the second Saturday of each month.  To learn more and to sign up, contact Natural Pathways at contactnaturalpathways@gmail.com

River Care Team 

Each month on the second Saturday, volunteers from the community, college students, Scouting organizations, and many others come together to help clean the Elm Fork of the Trinity River shoreline.  The River Care team meets at the gatehouse before driving down to the river parking area.  Bring work gloves, sensible shoes, and spend a couple of hours clearing debris from the banks of the river.  January to June 10 a.m.-noon, July and August 8-10 a.m., September to December, 10 a.m.-noon. No registration is required, just show up!

• Communicate with anglers and other visitors along the Elm Fork at LLELA, discussing river stewardship and proper disposal of trash.
• Model desirable visitor behavior by picking up trash.
• Report issues along the river to LLELA staff.

1870s Homestead

Saturdays (some weekdays), 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Contact: Erin Piper, epiper@cityoflewisville.com

• Give tours of LLELA’s log house and homestead area.
• Once a month open house on the weekend; regular school groups during the week.
• Musicians are needed to provide music appropriate to the 1870s.
• Training provided; there is also a training reference guide.

Birding Hikes

Monday-Saturday, times vary

Contact: Erin Piper, epiper@cityoflewisville.com

• Share your knowledge of birding with the general public.
• Lead hikes or assist in leading bird hikes for adults, children, youth groups.

Outdoor Education

Monday-Sunday, times vary

Contact: Erin Piper, epiper@cityoflewisville.com

• Lead short nature hikes with students or assist staff with school group labs. 
• Assist with weekend family events such as Stars on the Prairie, Night Hikes, etc. 
• Can volunteer on a steady basis (weekly, bi-weekly, once a month, etc.)