5 Reasons to Become a Volunteer Crew Leader

The evidence speaks for itself, there are myriad reasons you should volunteer for a cause that you care about. It’s good for your health, career, psychological well-being, and interpersonal relationships. But why should you become a volunteer crew leader for Mississippi National River and Recreation Area? Well, let me tell you...

Instagram-Ready Vistas

One of the coolest parts about becoming a leader for our volunteer crews is being able to explore unique parts of this urban national park, giving you access to some of the most swoon-worthy views this park has to offer. Get ready to dazzle your Instagram followers and make all your Facebook friends green with envy.

Make New Friends

Another great benefit to spending so much time working in this national park is that you’ll likely have unexpected encounters with urban wildlife. Mississippi National River and Recreation Area is part of a major flyway for migratory birds, providing tons of opportunities to get to know the different species. This national park is also home to freshwater mussels, river otters, and many pollinator species.

Inspire the Next Generation

Engaging with young people and planting seeds (literally!) for the next generation of conservationists is without a doubt one of the most rewarding parts of being a volunteer crew leader with Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. Working alongside national park rangers, crew leaders help us host school groups to teach kids about this national treasure right in the Twin Cities and how they can get involved too!

Develop Your Leadership Skills

Leading volunteer groups is not only fun and rewarding, it will help you become a better leader and generally become more confident in other aspects of your life. Not to mention, you’ll learn more about the different functions of the National Park Service and become an expert in your community about how our public lands are managed.

Connect With Your Community

Above all, becoming a volunteer crew leader is the right decision because of the lasting impact of your work. Bringing our diverse community together to create great things will result in a stronger, more engaged, and better connected community of park-goers for generations to come.

So what are you waiting for? Sign up to become a volunteer crew leader, and share your love of nature and the river with others! Contact Kathy Swenson to sign up for training and to get more information.