VOLUNTEER

WE ARE LOOKING FOR PEOPLE TO HELP WITH OUR PARKS' EFFORTS

Calling All Student Volunteers

Now that the stay-at-home restrictions have eased up, there are more people than ever visiting Jacksonville’s parks and preserves! Timucuan Parks Foundation and its national, state, and city park partners need your help in keeping these special outdoor spaces clean. If you are a student, here’s an opportunity to give back and earn community service hours this summer.

Go on one (or more) Self-Guided Volunteer Litter Pickups to earn 2 Hours of Community Service per “Event” and…

…get a chance to win a gift card for Mayday’s Handcrafted Ice Creams or a free Hydro Flask.

Self-guided litter pickups are open to students of all ages including those in home-school. See event instructions below.

These self-guided events will take place starting Wednesday, June 24 to Wednesday, August 12.
Weekly drawings for prizes start July 1 and will be held Wednesdays until August 12.

For each event:

1. Plan where to go and with whom

Look at the TPF Parks Map and decide where you want to go. (Parks are open except for Fort Caroline National Memorial and Kingsley Plantation; some have restricted facilities like restrooms. Learn more at our parks update page.)

Ask a family member to go with you or call 1-2 friends to meet you there.

2. Prepare

Schedule—decide when you want to go. Take into account the weather, including rain and heat. Early in the morning or later in the afternoon or evening is best.

Pack the items you will need:

water and a snack
insect repellent and sunscreen
3-4 large 30-gallon trash bags
disposable gloves

Dress appropriately—wear closed-toe shoes, breathable shirt and pants/shorts, and a hat.

3. Go!

Visit the park of your choice and pick up litter for 1.5 hours.

Be safe!

Practice “social distancing” with others not from your household while picking up trash.
Wear protective gloves.
Do not pick up anything sharp or pointy or dead.
Don’t put so much trash in one bag that you cannot tie it up. Fill about 1/2 to 3/4 to keep the weight manageable, too.

Take pictures!

Before and After, selfies, your friends, and a final one of you and your trash bags. You will need these for Step 4.

Collect the bags

Tie up your trash bags and leave them in or next to a park trash receptacle.

4. Wrap up and Reflection

Upload 1-3 photos and location on your Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter using the tags:

#tpfcleanup or @timucuanparks

(Note: your profile must be set to public for us to be able to see your posts.) Or email your photos to: volunteer AT timucuanparks.org.

Fill out the form below to submit your community service hours. Timucuan Parks Foundation will email you back with confirmation of 2 hours of community service.

When you submit the form, your name is entered into a weekly draw, for each week you participate, for a chance to receive a Mayday’s ice cream gift card. Two names will be randomly selected each week for a Mayday’s gift card starting Wednesday, July 1 through Wednesday, August 12.

At the end of the summer cleanup (August 12), three students who submitted forms during the eight weeks also get a chance to receive a free Hydro Flask for their next adventures.

For all self-guided service in the parks, student volunteers must follow all park rules and policies as well as promote and exhibit safe behavior at all times. Children under 16 should be supervised by their parent/guardian or scout leader. Please read the following liability waiver prior to volunteering.

Name*
First Last
Email*
Phone Number*
School*
Use home school if home-schooled
Date of service*
Location (park name)*
Description of litter*
Reflection (comments about the park or your volunteer experience):*
Check here if we can use your first name and last name initial, photos, and comments for publication.*
- Yes
- No
Consent*
I agree to the disclaimer.
In consideration for being allowed to participate in the park volunteer program and to receive any benefits derived therefrom, I: (1) Acknowledge and fully understand that each participant is responsible to be aware of their physical condition and refrain from doing any physical activities beyond personal capabilities; (2) Assume responsibility for my safety and the safety of those around me including, but not limited to, all risks, whether or not known or reasonably foreseeable at this time, which may be associated with participation in the program or any other related event or activity; (3) Release, and indemnify the City of Jacksonville, and their respective officers, employees and agents, from and against any and all liability to me for any and all claims, losses or damages including court costs and reasonable attorney fees on account of personal injury, including death, or property damage, in connection with the program or other related activities or events, regardless of sponsorship and regardless of whose action, inaction or negligence; which release and indemnification applies also to my heirs, assigns and next of kin; (4) Understand and acknowledge that any participation is completely voluntary and that I am under no obligation to participate, that I have read and will comply with the safety tips, and that I have read the above and understand that I am giving up substantial rights by participating and participate voluntarily.
I also grant permission for my photo and images taken while volunteering to be used by JaxParks and Timucuan Parks Foundation, as needed.
THOSE PARTICIPANTS WHO ARE NOT 18 YEARS OF AGE MUST HAVE THE PERMISSION OF PARENT, GUARDIAN OR LEGAL CUSTODIAN.
You can also send pictures directly to: Felicia Boyd, Program and Outreach Director, fboyd@timucuanparks.org. Questions? Contact Felicia at 904-463-1799.