Volunteers working outside in Carmel

Park Stewardship

    Let's get outside! Explore Our Nature Programming

    About Our Park Stewardship Program

    Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation (CCPR) connects the community with nature by managing and maintaining over 550 acres of park land. Throughout Carmel, you will find 15 parks and 4 greenways offering greenspace, playgrounds, access to natural resources, and education through interpretive signage. We are dedicated to ensuring our community understands their role in our natural resources both today and in the future.

    Looking for outdoor activities? Explore these nature tips from our Natural Resources Coordinator!

    View Video Playlist

     

    Join the Cause

    Park Stewardship gives the community an opportunity to play a larger part in developing our natural resources and better understand our parks. Through Park Stewardship programming, events and volunteering, the community is invited to get out to the park to explore, engage and connect by planting trees, identifying species at a BioBlitz event and so much more.

     

    Be a Steward + Volunteer with Us!

    Help us keep the parks healthy, clean and safe not only for humans but for plants and wildlife. Gain hands-on experience and knowledge with a variety of environmental restoration projects including invasive plant removal, trail restoration, and litter cleanup as well as park improvement projects such as playground mulching, refinishing park benches, branch cleanup, and many more.
     
    PARK STEWARDSHIP volunteer opportunities

    Volunteer With Us

    Ongoing Park Stewardship + Nature Education Opportunities

    Help keep our parks clean and safe by signing up for the following opportunities:

    • Restoration Projects (invasive species removal, tree planting)
    • Citizen Science (long-term monitoring)
    • Nature Education (nature programs, knee-high naturalist)
    • General Park Maintenance (playground mulching, litter cleanup)
     

    Register Here

    Invasive plant
    Parks + Sustainability

    Impacts of Invasive Species

    // Written By: Joanna Scott
    Impacts of Invasive Species What is an invasive species? Why do they matter? Learn about all that and more in honor of Invasive Species Awareness
    Read More
    Mother and daughter working outside
    Individuals looking at a specimen in a field
    Woman smiling while holding a butterfly net
    Volunteer working in a field
    Girl with a butterfly net
    Girl pointing to a butterfly net
    Man working in a field
    Volunteers working outside

    Learn about our parks + natural resources

    Video link

    What I love about our park system is that I’m always learning something new.

    Patty Steffen