In addition to Wild Ones St. Louis Chapter’s sponsored volunteering, there are native plant efforts around the St Louis area that need volunteers.
We know everyone doesn’t have a yard to Dig In! Therefore, we are listing additional events on this community page where you can “get your hands dirty”, even if you live on the third floor of an apartment.
Of course if you do have your own yard and want to help, these opportunities are for you as well. Your commitment to supporting the native plant community and planting native plants is much appreciated!
ONGOING OPPORTUNITIES – St. Louis organizations need your help with their native plant gardens/projects
Organization: The Open Space Council
The Open Space Council has partnered with Forest ReLeaf, Great Rivers Greenway, MO Botanical Gardens, MO Dept of Conservation, St. Louis County Parks, St. Louis Audubon Society, Master Naturalist (Great Rivers) and St. Louis County Parks Foundation to create a new conservation program known as the Community Stewardship Alliance (CSA).
The CSA has trained volunteer ambassadors who will set up events at Creve Coeur, Lower Meramec & St. Vincent Parks to help restore and maintain natural areas. Events will be held year round. Volunteers can learn more and sign up by visiting the volunteer information page
Wild Ones member Chris Garhart is one of the Ambassadors for St. Vincent Park, and she is especially in need of some volunteers who can recognize native plants–seedlings and reemerging perennials– in the hillside pollinator garden. There will also be removal of invasives, expanding the pollinator garden and maybe planting some trees next fall, something for any skill level. Contact Chris at garhartc@umsl.edu
Organization: The Audubon Center at Riverlands
Our volunteer managed Native Plant Demonstration Garden promotes the use of native plants while supporting birds and other wildlife! We invite you to join us in the weeds on a weekly basis, on Wednesdays from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Garden volunteers assist with plant maintenance and installation projects, while learning and educating visitors about native species. The Audubon Center at Riverlands is located in the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary, a globally recognized Important Bird Area (IBA). Volunteers enjoy the sights and sounds of migratory and nesting birds throughout the seasons.
All levels of gardening experience are welcomed! Please contact RiverlandsVolunteer@audubon.
Tools and gloves will be available. However, we encourage you to bring your own, if available.
Organization: Forest ReLeaf
“CommuniTree Gardens, our community nursery, currently holds over 20,000 trees. With just one forester overseeing care of the nursery, we depend on volunteers to help us plant, water, and weed these trees…”
Regular volunteer days are Wednesday and Friday and then select Saturdays spring through fall.
Individuals and groups must fill out the volunteer form before showing up.
Organization: National Museum of Transportation
Please contact Diana Miller (314) 324-0809 to learn more. Whether you can help once a week, once a month, or once in a while, you can make a difference.
Volunteers are asked to dress for the weather: Long sleeves (with short sleeves underneath), long pants, hat, durable close-toed shoes, eye protection (it’s fine to wear glasses) if trimming, a bucket, leather gloves, hand spade or pitchfork for digging weeds, and a full water bottle.
Organization: Tower Grove Park
Tower Grove Park is seeking volunteers to help maintain the new plantings at the East Stream Restoration Project, also known as Nee Kee Nee. Tasks include identifying native plants, pulling weeds, hauling plant materials, etc. This role is physically demanding and requires volunteers in good physical health.
Volunteer group meets every other week on Mondays, 9:00am – 11:00am
Fall schedule change: The group does not meet Labor Day Monday and has moved that volunteer day to Sept. 11th. Regular scheduling starts back up Sept. 18th.
Activity location: Stupp Center / Headwaters of Nee Kee Nee
Please email volunteer@
