Opportunities From: Tennessee State Parks

Volunteer to help on the Park and provide much needed help while earning hours needed to complete required community service required for Tennessee Promise eligibility status.

Service hours can be completed over multiple volunteer days.

Contact the park office for more information on current park needs 731-641-4465

Need some volunteer hours? Just want to be a great steward? We appreciate your help no matter what!

Various tasks at Sgt. Alvin C. York State Historic Park

Are you a student looking to complete Tennessee Promise Volunteer Hours? If so stop by the Big Ridge Park Office to learn how you can serve your community at Big Ridge State Park! 

The Nature Center at Paris Landing State Park is looking for regular volunteers for a variety of roles.  A volunteer can choose to help in the way that best fits your gifts and abilities.  The Center is open to the public on weekends, but volunteering is also needed when closed. (Hours between 9:00am - 4:00pm)

Examples:  Volunteers who enjoy arts and crafts are needed for educational programs.  Volunteers are needed to work outside in the pollinator garden prepping garden beds, pulling weeds and watering plants, keeping hummingbird feeders clean and filled, filling bird feeders, etc.  Animal cages need to be cleaned weekly. 

Training will be provided but some knowledge of the natural world is preferred.  Volunteers must be willing to undergo a back-ground check before they begin.

Volunteering does not mean you will work with birds of prey.  Established permanent volunteers may work into that role.

Please contact Ranger Christa Davidson at christa.davidson@tn.gov to get more information.

Volunteer to help clearing and maintaining trails throughout our new trails on Camp Hazlewood. Please e-mail the coordinator Brandon Baker at Brandon.Baker@tn.gov to set up a date and time to volunteer.

General park maintenance, litter pickup, etc.

Invasive Species are threatening our worlds biodiversity!

Join Big Ridge State Park in our efforts to thin out invasives that threaten our ecosystem! Meet Park Staff at the Park Office between 9am to 4:30pm and a Park Ranger will assist you with where to find and eliminate invasives species in our area.

If you do not know how to identify invasive species we especially encourage you to come out so we can teach you!

With the help from our Community we can really make a difference!

Join Our Invasive Plant Removal Volunteer Program!

Help protect native ecosystems and restore the natural beauty of our local habitats by joining our Invasive Plant Removal Volunteer Program! This hands-on conservation effort focuses on removing invasive plant species that threaten the health and diversity of our environment.

What We’ll Be Removing:

Privet (Ligustrum spp.)

Japanese Stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum)

Johnson Grass (Sorghum halepense)

Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora)

Honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.)

These non-native species outcompete native plants, degrade wildlife habitat, and disrupt natural ecological processes. Your help will make a real difference in preserving the local environment for future generations!

What to Expect:

Training and tools will be provided

Light to moderate physical activity

Opportunities to learn about native and invasive plant species

We always need help from our visitors to help keep our trails clear from debris and trash.  Make sure to have a volunteer form filed out before you can submit hours.  Thank you!

Chickasaw State Park invites volunteers to take part in an ongoing conservation effort to remove invasive plant species from our pollinator fields. These fields are essential habitat for native bees, butterflies, and other pollinators that help maintain the health and diversity of our local ecosystems.

This is a flexible, open volunteer opportunity available throughout the season. Individuals, families, school groups, scout troops, and service organizations are all welcome. No prior experience is necessary - park staff will provide tools, gloves, and guidance.

Sabine Hill Social Society is a group of dedicated individuals who focus on helping Sycamore Shoals with educational events and social activities, early 19th century period clothing assistance, and helping with representing the Federalist period of time in America. 

Are you interested in helping us with Living History demonstrations and re-enactments? Register for this opportunity if you'd like to participate as a living historian at any of these upcoming events, including: 

Other hours and opportunities are available. We appreciate your dedication to our cause!

Gardening, weeding, branch removal. 

Volunteer who is assisting in hospitality and maintenance functions in the campground and other park operations, and facilitates the recreational experience of the state park visitors. Duties may include but are not limited to: Camper orientation & information, light maintenance, reporting inappropriate activities or potential maintenance hazards, park programming and collection of fees and sales. Host agrees to exercise hospitality towards campers and are visible representatives of the state park during their frequent interactions with the public. Host is required to volunteer for a minimum of 20 hours per week for no more than 9 consecutive months.

Responding to this opportunity indicates an interest in volunteering in this role at the park. An application and review process will still need to be done. Acceptance into the host position is based on availability and compatibility. All adults residing at the site are subject to a background check. 

Please reach out to Michelle Neil directly for more information (731) 253-8003

Need volunteer hours? Want to lend a helping hand? Cummins Falls State Parks welcomes volunteers year round for various miscellaneous tasks. There is always trash that needs picked up, invasives that need eradicated, trails that need maintained and projects going on at the park. We welcome volunteers anytime during our park hours from 8am - 4:30pm every day, whether you lend a hand for 30 minutes or 7.5 hours, we encourage you to come out! If you are interested in volunteering at Cummins Falls, please e-mail Park Ranger Lauren at lauren.fagin@tn.gov

Remove sticks and downfall limbs from trail, picnic area, and inside fort. Collect and dispose of litter from trail and park grounds. 

We are excited to offer an ongoing volunteer opportunity at Warriors Path State Park focused on restoring the natural beauty of Duck Island. Volunteers will play a vital role in removing invasive plant species, with a primary focus on Autumn Olive, to help protect native habitats and improve biodiversity. This work will involve using small hand silky saws and manual uprooting techniques—please note that chainsaws and other power tools are not permitted. Participants should be prepared for physical activity, including dragging downed brush and uprooting shrubs, as well as assisting with litter removal along trails and picnic areas. All tools will be provided, and volunteers are encouraged to dress for outdoor work, wear sturdy shoes, and bring water and snacks. This is a great opportunity to make a lasting impact on the park’s ecosystem while enjoying time outdoors and contributing to conservation efforts.

Feel free to contact ranger Ethan Sane at Ethan.Sane@tn.gov or 865-863-0790

The Native Plant Garden behind and in front of the Nature Center will soon be blooming and beautiful again as it emerges from its winter sleep! 

We are looking for a few dedicated volunteers with some gardening experience to:

1. Trim, spruce up and add mulch this lovely garden in March (materials provided!)

2. Add plants, weed and maintaining the garden a few hours each week through the summer.

Is this you?  Perhaps you and a friend may be interested too!  If you would like more information, contact Park Interpretive Ranger Christa Davidson for more details!

Judge Taft Memorial Scholarship Presented by The Friends of Fall Creek Falls State Park James Maurice Taft, known locally as “Judge Taft”, lived a life of service. Taft is remembered as being the “Father of Fall Creek Falls” in recognition of his efforts to set aside land for preservation and conservation in the form of a public park. He was also a dedicated educator, serving as a teacher for many years and as Van Buren County’s first Superintendent of Schools. Throughout his life, he steadfastly advocated for the protection of what is now Fall Creek Falls State Park, while also encouraging the local community on the importance of education. The Friends of Fall Creek Falls State Park are honored to offer this scholarship in memory of Judge Taft’s life and many accomplishments. This award is meant to help deserving students continue their pursuit of education and inspire them to look for ways to effect positive change within their local community.  Requirements: Applicant must complete an 800-word essay that focuses on the impact that Fall Creek Falls State Park has made on them and/or within their community. Applicant must complete a minimum of 15 hours of volunteer work at Fall Creek Falls State Park between February 1st - May 1st of 2026. Applicant must have maintained a GPA of 3.5

This is for individuals interested in volunteering at the park and nothing currently listed will work for you. This includes TN Promise volunteers, community service workers, etc. When registering, please add what you are needing/looking for. After registering through this interest form, a ranger will reach out and make sure you get signed up for the correct opportunity. 

Do you love hiking the trails at Big Ridge State Park? Want to give back to your community while spending time outdoors? Join our Volunteer Trail Team and play a hands-on role in maintaining and preserving the park’s beautiful trail system. As a volunteer, you’ll help with essential trail maintenance tasks like clearing debris, trimming overgrowth, improving trail safety, and supporting conservation efforts. Whether you’re an experienced hiker or just enjoy being outside, your time and energy will make a real difference for everyone who visits the park. Come be part of a team that cares about protecting natural spaces and keeping trails safe, accessible, and enjoyable for all!

Ongoing opportunity for the Friends of Old Stone Fort for programming and events. Ongoing opportunity for people that just want to come volunteer cleaning up trash, removing weeds from gardens, or removing invasives around the park. YOU MUST email Ranger Marlie Gibbs before doing this opportunity. 

Ongoing opportunity for the Friends of Short Springs Natural Area for programming and events. Ongoing opportunity for people that just want to come volunteer cleaning up trash or remove invasives around the natural area. YOU MUST email Ranger Marlie Gibbs before doing this opportunity.

Volunteers have always been an important part of our state's official outdoor drama, Liberty!

Contact Park Staff to set up a volunteer opportunity. Trail Cleanups, Disc golf Course cleanup, and more.

Help us keep our park clean and functional by volunteering to clean up trash or do light maintenance work around the park.

This is an ongoing opportunity for individual regular volunteers or members of Friends of Long Hunter SP.  This opportunity will be used to record general park maintenance activities including but not limited to the following examples:

This opportunity will be scheduled by invite only from a Park Ranger or Manager.