Volunteer Workdays
Tremper Mound - Scioto River Bottoms, Tree Planting
Saturday, April 4, 2026
OH-104, McDermott, OH 45652 (Map)
Join Tremper Mound Land Steward Austin Newton and fellow volunteers as we begin year four of the Scioto River Riparian Corridor Reforestation Project. Our goal is to build back the vitally important riparian buffer along the Scioto River’s western banks by planting a diverse selection of trees, including Pin Oaks, Shellbark Hickory, Silver Maple, River Birch, and more. We have a lofty goal this year to plant 1,100 trees! We have a plan. Volunteers will assist in installing landscape cloth and protective cages around our newly planted trees along the river. You will also have a chance to see the growth of the planted trees from the last three years. No experience is necessary; all are welcome. The workday is from 10 am - 2 pm. Please bring work gloves, a personal water bottle, snacks, and/or a packed lunch. Sturdy shoes or boots are recommended. Please note that there are no restroom facilities on the preserve. For registration, click (HERE).
Photo By Archeologist Dr. Jarrod Burks 
Resilience, Invasive Removal
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
30784 Township Hwy 292, Logan, OH 43138 (Map)
Join Land Steward Ethan King and fellow Forest Keepers as we tackle invasive Japanese Barberry. This plant is an ornamental in many of our backyards, but unfortunately, it quickly escapes landscape gardens and invades our Preserves, replacing critical native plants and shrubs. Surprisingly, tick populations increase where barberry is a management issue. Overall, Japanese Barberry is a nuisance that we want to control. This will be a digging workday! We will have shovels for use, but if you have a favorite shovel that you like to use, please feel free to bring it with you. No experience is needed; all are welcome. Please bring work gloves, a personal water bottle, a packed lunch, and/or snacks. Sturdy shoes or boots are recommended. The workday is from 10 am - 2 pm. Please note that there are no restroom facilities at this location. For registration, click (HERE)
Shellbark Woods, Invasive Removal
Friday, April 24, 2026
Barrett Mill Rd. Bainbridge, OH 45612 (Map)
Join Tim Pohlar, Arc Land Stewardship Manager, land steward Jean Farkas, and fellow Biodiversity Brigade volunteers as we work together to tackle invasive species such as garlic mustard, bush honeysuckle, and multiflora rose. We will be in the beautiful Shellbark Woods Preserve, a hidden gem within the Highlands Nature Sanctuary, surrounded by stately hickories, oaks, and other forest neighbors. No experience is necessary, and all are welcome to participate. Please note that this work will require walking off the trail on some uneven terrain. While significant physical strength is not required, you should be prepared for a lot of bending to reach the plants at ground level. Our efforts to remove these invasive plants will help protect and preserve populations of ephemeral spring wildflowers. We recommend wearing sturdy shoes, bringing work gloves, and packing snacks and a water bottle. As a thank-you for your hard work, Jean and her friend Dee will provide a hearty lunch after our workday, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. The workday is from 10 am - 2 pm. For registration, click (HERE)
Ridgeview Restoration Farm, Invasive Removal
Saturday, May 2, 2026
6636 St. Rt. 753, Hillsboro, OH 45133 (Map)
Join Arc Director Nancy Stranahan, Brent Charette, Marilyn Welker, and the amazing Ridgeview Farm Biodiversity Brigade as they continue their quest to re-wild this rich and biodiverse farm. Non-native invasive plants like bush honeysuckle, autumn olive, and multiflora rose constantly challenge wildland preservationists. Spring and fall, year in and year out, staff and volunteers descend on the farm to remove these plants from the landscape. Using hand tools and the targeted application of herbicide solutions, volunteers will continue to turn the tide in favor of the native plants and animals that call Ridgeview Farm home. A hearty lunch awaits our volunteers at the end of the day. No experience is needed; all are welcome. Please bring work gloves, a personal water bottle, and snacks. Sturdy shoes or boots are recommended. The workday is from 10 am - 2 pm. For registration, click (HERE)
photo by tim pohlar 
Honeycomb Rocks, HWA Treatment Workday
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
24102 Co Rd 34, Rockbridge, OH 43149 (Map)
Join our Land Steward Ethan King, AmeriCorps member Emily, and fellow volunteers as we work to preserve the hemlock forests in this gorgeous nature preserve. We surveyed our woodlands for Hemlock Woolly Adelgid over winter and are now ready to treat. Armed with our survey maps and location points, we’ll identify trees needing treatment. Some of the many jobs that need to be done during the workday include soil trenching around the trees, measuring each tree to determine the dosage, carrying in the necessary equipment and insecticide, documentation, marking the treated trees with spray paint, and carrying in food and water for the day. There will be a job for all! No experience is needed; all are welcome. Please bring work gloves, a personal water bottle, a packed lunch, and/or snacks. Please note that there are no restroom facilities at this location. For registration, click (HERE).
Gladys Riley, Firefly Trail Clearing and Maintenance
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
Tick Ridge-Koenig Hill Rd, Otway, OH 45657 (Map)
Join the Arc Land Steward, Austin Newton, and fellow volunteers as we work to clear a trail in the meadow field just a short distance from the parking lot. Gladys Riley Golden Star Lily Preserve is the home to an exceptional display of spring wildflowers, among them the preserve's namesake, the golden star lily. But did you know it is also an excellent place to watch fireflies? Fireflies thrive in the damp, unmown fields of Gladys Riley, where their prey - slugs, snails, and earthworms – flourish, and where the habitat is undisturbed by lights and pesticides. In June, thousands upon thousands of glimmering fireflies cover the fields and trees alike. Christmas light fireflies flicker-flash above the grasses, Light Bulb Fireflies light up the trees, Little Grays twinkle like laser lights in the grass, and Chinese Lanterns shimmer like falling embers. It is a mesmerizing light show. Volunteers will help with minor trail benching, cutting, and branch clipping. No experience is necessary; all are welcome. Sturdy shoes, leather work gloves, a water bottle, snacks, and a packed lunch are recommended. The workday is from 10 am - 2 pm. Please note that there are no restroom facilities on the preserve. For registration, click (HERE)
Photo by Jeff White 
Sylvan Deep, Trail Construction
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Spencer Rd. Ray, OH 45672 (Map)
Join Land Stewardship Manager Ethan King and fellow volunteers as they put the finishing touches on this new trail in this 106-acre, picturesque woodland in Jackson County. This property boasts immense sandstone rock features, rock shelters, ancient hemlocks, towering oaks, and deep ravines blanketed with a variety of ferns. Volunteers will help with benching along the trail, building steps, carrying in cedars, installing signs, pouring concrete, and building a bridge. There is a job for everyone. No experience is needed; all are welcome. Sturdy shoes or boots are recommended. Please bringwork gloves, a personal water bottle, a packed lunch, and/or snacks. The workday is from 10 am - 2 pm. Please note that there are no restroom facilities at this location. For registration, click (HERE).
Fort Hill, Invasive Removal
Friday, May 22, 2026
13614 Fort Hill Road, Hillsboro, OH 45133 (Map)
Join Land Steward Tim Pohlar and fellow volunteers as we do battle with the invasive multiflora rose, bush honeysuckle, and autumn olive using hand tools and targeted herbicide application. Volunteers will be trained in invasive identification and proper herbicide application. We will be working around the entrance and grounds of Fort Hill. This preserve is a hiker’s paradise with its limestone boulders and cliffs bordering the Baker Fork, stone arches, towering ancient trees, a high diversity of botanicals, and outstanding spring wildflower displays. There is a job for everyone. No experience is needed; all are welcome. Please bring work gloves, a personal water bottle, a packed lunch, and/or snacks. Sturdy shoes or boots are recommended. The workday is from 10 am - 2 pm. For registration, click (HERE).
Sylvan Deep, HWA Treatment Workday
Wednesday, May 27 & June 17, 2026
Spencer Rd. Ray, OH 45672 (Map).
Join our Land Steward Ethan King, AmeriCorps member Emily, and fellow volunteers as we work to preserve the hemlock forests in this gorgeous nature preserve. Treatment will be done on two different workdays. Join us for one or both days. We surveyed our woodlands for Hemlock Woolly Adelgid over winter and are now ready to treat. Armed with our survey maps and location points, we’ll identify trees needing treatment. Some of the many jobs that need to be done during the workday include soil trenching around the trees, measuring each tree to determine the dosage, carrying in the necessary equipment and insecticide, documentation, marking the treated trees with spray paint, and carrying in food and water for the day. There will be a job for all! No experience is needed; all are welcome. Please bring work gloves, a personal water bottle, a packed lunch, and/or snacks. Please note that there are no restroom facilities at this location. For registration, click (HERE).
Sylvan Deep, Trail Construction
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Spencer Rd. Ray, OH 45672 (Map)
Join Land Stewardship Manager Ethan King and fellow volunteers as they put the finishing touches on this new trail in this 106-acre, picturesque woodland in Jackson County. This property boasts immense sandstone rock features, rock shelters, ancient hemlocks, towering oaks, and deep ravines blanketed with a variety of ferns. Volunteers will help with benching along the trail, building steps, carrying in cedars, installing signs, pouring concrete, and building a bridge. There is a job for everyone. No experience is needed; all are welcome. Sturdy shoes or boots are recommended. Please bring work gloves, a personal water bottle, a packed lunch, and/or snacks. The workday is from 10 am - 2 pm. Please note that there are no restroom facilities at this location. For registration, click (HERE).
Barrett's Rim, Invasive Removal
Friday, June 26, 2026
7240 Cave Road, Bainbridge, OH 45612 (Map)
Join Land Steward Tim Pohlar and fellow volunteers as we battle the ever tenacious multiflora rose. Volunteers will be trained on the use of backpack sprayers, including mixing and proper handling. We will meet at the Whispering Springs Complex for training, to load supplies for the day, and travel together to the worksite. Some will use backpack sprayers to spot spray, and others will work downstream to cut larger multiflora rose, autumn olive, and vines. These invasive species threaten native species in this incredibly biodiverse region. Barrett's Rim trail is often referred to as the "Jewel of the Rocky Fork Gorge" due to the copious amount of spring wildflowers that grow on its vertical cliffs and breathtaking rock features. No experience is necessary; all are welcome. Volunteers will be trained on invasive plant identification and the safe treatment methods used to remove the non-native, invasive plants. Sturdy shoes or boots, leather work gloves, a water bottle, snacks, and a packed lunch are recommended. The workday is from 10 am - 2 pm. Please note that there is no restroom at this location. For registration, click (HERE).
Photo by Tim pohlar
Sylvan Deep, Trail Work & Sign Installation
Wednesday, July 22 & August 5, 2026
Spencer Rd. Ray, OH 45672 (Map)
Join our Land Steward Ethan King, AmeriCorps member Emily, and fellow volunteers as they put the finishing touches on this new trail in this 106-acre, picturesque woodland in Jackson County. This property boasts immense sandstone rock features, rock shelters, ancient hemlocks, towering oaks, and deep ravines blanketed with a variety of ferns. Volunteers will help with building steps, carrying in cedars, installing signs, pouring concrete, and building a bridge. There is a job for everyone. No experience is needed; all are welcome. Sturdy shoes or boots are recommended. Please bring work gloves, a personal water bottle, a packed lunch, and/or snacks. The workday is from 10 am - 2 pm. Please note that there are no restroom facilities at this location. For registration, click (HERE).
Cedar Run, Invasive Removal
Friday, July 24, 2026
7240 Cave Road, Bainbridge, OH 45612 (Map)
Join Land Steward Tim Pohlar and fellow volunteers as we battle the ever tenacious multiflora rose. Volunteers will be trained on the use of backpack sprayers, including mixing and proper handling. We will be working on the upper rim of the gorge. Some will use backpack sprayers to spot spray, and others will cut larger multiflora rose, autumn olive, and vines. This area highlights the rich and diverse flora and fauna, along with the spectacular views in the Highlands Nature Sanctuary and Rocky Fork Gorge. However, these invasive species threaten native species in this incredibly biodiverse region. No experience is necessary; all are welcome. Volunteers will be trained on invasive plant identification and the safe treatment methods used to remove the non-native, invasive plants. Sturdy shoes or boots, a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, leather work gloves, a water bottle, snacks, and a packed lunch are recommended. The workday is from 10 am - 2 pm. Please note that there is no restroom at this location. For registration, click (HERE).
Photo By Tim pohlar
Resilience, Invasive Removal
Wednesday, October 14 2026
30784 Township Hwy 292, Logan, OH 43138 (Map)
Join Land Steward Ethan King and fellow Forest Keepers as we cut and treat the invasive Autumn Olive in the main field area. Our work will focus on field edges and within the meadows—habitats of critical importance. Resilience’s meadows are home to one of the largest colonies of Henslow’s sparrows in the state, as well as box turtles and woodland salamanders. Removing invasive species is essential to protecting these sensitive species and ensuring the health and biodiversity of this unique landscape. No experience is needed; all are welcome. Please bring work gloves, a personal water bottle, a packed lunch, and/or snacks. Sturdy shoes or boots are recommended. Please note that there are no restroom facilities at this location. For registration, click (HERE).
Elder’s Landing, Invasive Removal
Friday, October 23, 2026
7240 Cave Road, Bainbridge, OH 45612 (Map)
Join Land Steward Tim Pohlar and fellow volunteers as we continue to battle the persistent multiflora rose, bush honeysuckle, and autumn olive. We will continue to work downstream to clear these invasive species that threaten native species in this incredibly biodiverse region. This gentle section of the river, known as Elders' Landing, is an ideal spot for nature enthusiasts who wish to explore the creek, offering access for canoes and kayaks. No experience is necessary; all are welcome. Volunteers will be trained on invasive plant identification and the safe treatment methods used to remove the non-native, invasive plants. Sturdy shoes or boots, a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, leather work gloves, a water bottle, snacks, and a packed lunch are recommended. The workday is from 10 am - 2 pm. Please note that there is no restroom at this location. For registration, click (HERE)
Photo by tim pohlarPlum Run, Invasive Removal
Saturday, August 29, 2026
Mendenhall Rd. Peebles, OH 45660 (Map)
Adams County, Ohio, is known across the country and around the globe for its unique alkaline, cedar glade prairies, of which the Arc of Appalachia has saved several. Join the entire Arc Land Stewardship team and fellow volunteers as we work to preserve and expand this prairie at Plum Run Preserve. Volunteers will be dragging and piling up brush, carrying, loading, and stacking cedar logs for use throughout the year on new trail construction and maintenance. We will meet in the parking area off Mendenhall Road. Please wear work boots or sturdy shoes, bring work gloves (we will have some gloves for anyone who needs them), a personal water bottle, and a packed lunch. No experience is necessary; all are welcome.The workday is from 10 am - 2 pm. Please note that there are no restroom facilities on the preserve. For registration, click (HERE).
Ridgeview Restoration Farm, Invasive Removal
Saturday, October 17, 2026
6636 St. Rt. 753, Hillsboro, OH 45133 (Map)
Join Arc Director Nancy Stranahan, Brent Charette, Marilyn Welker, and the amazing Ridgeview Farm Biodiversity Brigade as they continue their quest to re-wild this rich and biodiverse farm. Non-native invasive plants like bush honeysuckle, autumn olive, and multiflora rose constantly challenge wildland preservationists. Spring and fall, year in and year out, staff and volunteers descend on the farm to remove these plants from the landscape. Using hand tools and the targeted application of herbicide solutions, volunteers will continue to turn the tide in favor of the native plants and animals that call Ridgeview Farm home. A hearty lunch awaits our volunteers at the end of the day. No experience is needed; all are welcome. Please bring work gloves, a personal water bottle, a packed lunch, and/or snacks. For registration, click (HERE).
Barrett's Rim, Invasive Removal
Friday, November 20, 2026
7240 Cave Road, Bainbridge, OH 45612 (Map)
Join Land Steward Tim Pohlar and fellow volunteers as we continue to battle the ever-persistent multiflora rose, bush honeysuckle, and autumn olive. These invasive species threaten native species in this incredibly biodiverse region. Volunteers will work along the stream and field edges, working toward the trail region. Barrett's Rim trail is often referred to as the "Jewel of the Rocky Fork Gorge" due to the copious amount of spring wildflowers that grow on its vertical cliffs and breathtaking rock features. No experience is necessary; all are welcome. Volunteers will be trained on invasive plant identification and the safe treatment methods used to remove the non-native, invasive plants. Sturdy shoes or boots, a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, leather work gloves, a water bottle, snacks, and a packed lunch are recommended. The workday is from 10 am - 2 pm. Please note that there is no restroom at this location. For registration, click (HERE).
Cave Road, Invasive Removal in Cave Canyon
Friday, September 18, 2026
7660 Cave Rd. Bainbridge, OH 45612 (Map)
Join Land Steward Tim Pohlar and other Arc Staff as we clear invasive ivy and euonymus vines off and away from the iconic Cave House area and across the bridge, down into Cave Canyon. You're invited to arrive at the Appalachian Forest Museum between 9 am and 9:45 am to meet your fellow volunteers and the Arc staff over coffee, tea, and dessert. Then at 10 am, we'll spread out in small groups to work on our assigned tasks for the day. The Highlands Nature Sanctuary is the birthplace and headquarters of the Arc of Appalachia, and arguably the Arc's most beautiful preserve. New volunteers will be trained in invasive plant identification. Sturdy shoes, work gloves, and a daypack to carry a water bottle, a light-packed lunch, and/or snacks are recommended. The workday is from 10 am - 2 pm. As a gesture of our sincere appreciation, you are cordially invited to join us at the Appalachian Forest Museum following the workday for a light lunch on the AFM deck, fellowship, and a brief reflection of the day’s accomplishments. For registration, click (HERE).
Junction Earthworks, Invasive Removal
Saturday, October 21, 2026
Belleview Ave, Chillicothe, OH 45601 (Map)
Join Land Steward Ethan King and fellow volunteers as we cut and treat bush honeysuckle and multiflora rose along the Starbrook Trail at Junction Earthworks. Here, non-native invasive shrubs and flowers had nearly displaced the native species, but through the hard work of staff and volunteers, the forested hillside is now mostly cleared of invasives, leaving room for the native flowers, trees, and shrubs to make a comeback. No experience is needed; all are welcome. Please bring work gloves, a personal water bottle, a packed lunch, and/or snacks. The workday is from 10 am - 2 pm. Sturdy shoes or boots are recommended. Please note that there are no restroom facilities at this location. For registration, click (HERE).
Sad Song Creek, Invasive Removal
Friday, December 11, 2026
7240 Cave Road, Bainbridge, OH 45612 (Map)
Join Land Steward Tim Pohlar and our dedicated Biodiversity Brigade volunteers as we begin removing invasive species from this remarkably diverse and beautiful preserve. This special landscape is rich with life—lush carpets of mosses and liverworts, along with bulblet ferns, walking ferns, and stonecrop clinging to nearly every rock. Vibrant wildflower displays atop the ridge to the blooms along the canyon floor will enchant future hikers. Limestone boulders scattered along Sad Song Creek form a dramatic, natural jumble—creating a small gorge all their own. With plans underway to establish a new trail next year, this workday marks the first step in shaping what will become a meaningful addition to our preserve system. Volunteers will focus their efforts in a regenerating field transitioning back to forest, where we will cut and treat invasive species, including autumn olive, multiflora rose, and bush honeysuckle. Your work will directly support the health and future of this young successional forest—while also helping lay the groundwork for a new trail that others will enjoy for years to come. Sturdy shoes or boots, a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, leather work gloves, a water bottle, snacks, and a packed lunch are recommended. We will meet at the Whispering Springs Complex to load tools and supplies for the day and travel together to the worksite. The workday is from 10 am - 2 pm. Please note that there is no restroom at this location. For registration, click (HERE).