BLANK PARK ZOO

Mission:  Ecology and biodiversity, education, and entertainment are all part of the mission of the zoo on Des Moines’ south side.  They have a variety of volunteer opportunities, including internships.
Contact:  Colleen Bergman, Special Events/Volunteer Coordinator
Address:  7401 S.W. 9th Street, Des Moines, IA  50315
Phone:  515-323-8333  Fax:  515-974-2590

IOWA PRAIRIE NETWORK (IPN)

Mission:  The Iowa Prairie Network is an all-volunteer, non-profit (501.c3) organization started in 1990.  We are a network of people dedicated to the preservation of our prairie heritage in the state of Iowa.
Contact:  Pam White, Region 6 Representative to the State IPN board
Phone:  641-673-3508

 

KIYA KODA HUMANE SOCIETY

Mission:  The animal rescue league of Indianola.  Opportunities for volunteers include walking dogs, cleaning kennels, and office work.
Contact: Kathy Pfeiffer
Address: 1206 North Jefferson St., Indianola, IA  50125
Phone:  515-961-7080

 

LAKE AHQUABI STATE PARK

Mission:  Help to maintain this beautiful facility so close to Simpson.
Contact:  Josh Shipman
Address: 16510 118th Avenue, Indianola, IA 50125
Phone:  515-961-7101

The NATURE CONSERVANCY OF IOWA

Mission: The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive.
Volunteers: The Nature Conservancy of Iowa utilizes volunteers for all types of land stewardship activities including prescribed burning, tree and brush removal, native prairie seed harvest and exotic species control measures, etc.
There are two main ways to volunteer. We have scheduled volunteer workdays at our preserves. A list of volunteer workdays can be found on our website.  Most prescribed burning takes place from March-May and Oct.-Nov. and we can use help any day of the week. No previous training or experience is required.  Responding on short notice is essential because this activity is very weather dependent.  The Nature Conservancy of Iowa also has a paid summer internship for college students that is focused on land management.
Contact: Laura Norian, Operations Manager
Address:  303 Locust St. Suite 402
Phone:  (515) 244-5044    Fax:  (515) 244-8890

For general information contact our Des Moines office:
108 Third Street Suite 300, Des Moines, IA 50309
Phone:  515-244-5044

 

NEAL SMITH NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Mission:  The Prairie Learning Center facilities include a visitor center with book store, theater, classrooms and exhibit area. Miles of trails radiate from the Center. In addition, an 800 acre drive-through bison enclosure is also open. Teacher workshops, birding, hiking, biking, mushrooming, and wildlife watching are some of the outdoor activities featured for thousands of visitors each year.  Volunteer assignments at the refuge vary in duration and regularity. Hands-on stewardship activities (i.e. seed collecting, trail maintenance) tend to be single-day events that vary in length of time. Assignments that deal with public use of the Prairie Learning Center (i.e. information desk, interpreter) are more likely to occur at certain times and on certain days each week.
Contact:  Volunteer Coordinator
Address:  PO Box 399, Prairie City, IA 50288
Phone:   515-994-3400

WARREN COUNTY CONSERVATION BOARD

Mission:  Maintain environmental integrity of surrounding lands.  Includes volunteer opportunities at Annett Nature Center.
Contact: Joel VanRokel or Missy
Address:  15565 118th Avenue, Indianola, IA 50125
Phone:  515-961-6169  Fax:  515-961-7100

WESLEY WOODS

Mission: Camp run by the United Methodist Church. Located just south of Indianola, Simpson has a great history of relationship with the camp and numerous Simpson students have volunteered with the organization.
Contact: Tiffany Arnolds
Address:  10896 Nixon St.,Indianola, IA 50125
Phone:  515-961-4523  Fax:  515-961-4162
Toll Free: 1-866-648-7753