The Luckiamute Watershed Council is a community-based organization comprised of volunteers who are eager to help improve the health of their watershed and their communities. Whether your skills and interests are focused on long-term strategic planning, reaching out to fellow community members, or monitoring restoration sites in the field, there are many ways to get involved as an LWC volunteer. Training is given to all volunteers and support is available as needed. We’d be happy to meet with you to discuss how your interests would best match up with the opportunities the Council has to offer. If you’re interested in becoming an LWC volunteer, please fill out the Volunteer Interest Form. You can fill it out online, mail it back to us or scan and send it to [email protected]. ​

​Current Volunteer Opportunities

Earth Day: On April 22, 2024, there is an opportunity for volunteers to join an effort to remove invasive ivy and bird cherry trees from a grove of old oaks growing alongside South Fork Ash Creek, in Independence. Working conditions: Outdoors, as part of a team. 3 hours, single event.

Adopt-A-Road: Every year, we have multiple opportunities for volunteers to help keep trash out of our streets and streams by participating in clean-ups along certain stretches of roadways. The LWC has adopted stretches of roads in Polk County (Buena Vista Road) and Benton County (Wiles/Coffin Butte Road), and we also partner with individuals who have adopted stretches of road elsewhere in the watershed. Working conditions: Outdoors, as part of a team. A few hours, several times a year.

​Education & Outreach Committee Member: As part of our EnO Committee, you will be working directly with our Outreach Coordinator to help plan and organize our amazing line-up of Love Your Watershed events and activities! If you want to be a part of our efforts to engage and inspire our community to take action for watershed health, this is the perfect opportunity to get involved! Working conditions: Indoors, as part of a team. One evening every other month, plus occasional volunteer roles. 

Fundraising Committee Member: As a member of our Fundraising Committee, you will be directly involved in helping us expand our Friends of the LWC and Business Circle networks. Your ideas and energy will also be put to use in the planning of our annual fundraising events, and our outreach to potential donors and volunteers throughout our watershed community. Working conditions: Indoors, as part of a team. One evening per month, plus occasional volunteer roles. 

Not sure where you would best fit in? Give us a call at 503-837-0237 or email [email protected] to get some guidance!

---

More Opportunities to Volunteer

A few of the ongoing volunteer roles we have to fill are: 

Committees (standing and ad-hoc): As part of an LWC committee, your ideas and expertise can directly contribute to the long-term success of our current projects, as well as the development of future projects. Standing committee openings include: Education and Outreach, Fundraising, Projects, and Finance. Ad-hoc committee openings include Budget, as well as others. Tasks include: participation in meetings, providing direction & feedback to council staff and reporting activities to fellow LWC members. Working conditions: Indoors, as part of a team. One evening per month. 

Monitoring and Stewardship: Do you enjoy getting your feet wet and your hands dirty? We have occasional field opportunities for monitoring, weed pulls, Adopt-a-Road events, tree plantings and plenty of other stewardship opportunities! Tasks include: cutting/pulling invasive weeds, picking up trash, planting, recording data.
Working conditions: Outdoors, as part of a team. Various days and times of the year, with flexible hours.

Office/Administrative: Much of the day-to-day work that keeps the LWC successful is being done at our local Independence office. Help us stay organized and up to date by volunteering to come into our office whenever you have free time. Your help will be more than appreciated! Tasks include: filing, data entry, research, typing, editing, and various office-related activities. Working conditions: Indoors, mostly independent. Hours are flexible.

Social Media: Do you have a passion for engaging with the public over the internet? Want to help us sort out the mysteries of getting noticed on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook? We would love to put your expertise and passion to work for the LWC! Tasks include: updating our Facebook and Twitter profiles, setting up an Instagram account, assisting staff in promoting LWC through social media channels. Working conditions: Indoors, mostly independent. Hours are flexible.

Stand-alone Projects: Are you fascinated by the history of our watershed? Do you have a yearning to research the significance of a culture or a particular species found here? We know that you have innovative ideas of your own. Pitch one of them to us and see how far you can go! Tasks vary depending on project.
Working conditions: Varies from indoor to outdoor, depending on project focus. Work can be either as part of a team or independent. Hours are flexible.

Event Planning/Logistics: Whether it is a celebration, fundraiser or a volunteer recognition event, the LWC could use your help with planning and organizing the festivities! Tasks include: organizing entertainment, communicating with sponsors, food, volunteer awards and/or advertising for the event.
​Working conditions: Indoors, as part of a team or independent. Hours are flexible.

Fourth of July Clean-up Crew: Help the LWC keep trash out of our waterways by volunteering to be a part of our "rear detachment" during the annual Monmouth-Independence Rotary Club Grand Parade right here in Independence! Tasks include: riding and/or walking beside our LWC truck as part of the Independence Day parade, holding up signs, and helping to collect trash along the parade route. Perks include interacting with the cheering public as part of a well-loved Independence tradition!
Working conditions: Outdoors, as part of a team. Parade occurs every year on Independence Day (parade route is approximately 3 miles long).

If you are interested in learning more about any of these volunteer roles, you can reach out directly to [email protected], or you can join our email list (make sure to put a check mark by volunteer opportunities) to get periodic emails sent to you when opportunities become available.
.