Opportunities From: Tennessee State Parks

Join us for a hands-on Volunteer Event at Fall Creek Falls Lake starting at 8:00 AM! This four-hour project, held in coordination with TWRA and Responsible Stewardship, will focus on building and placing fish habitat structures throughout the lake to support a healthier aquatic ecosystem.

As part of the “Caught Up in Conservation” event series, this effort is all about making a lasting impact on local wildlife and improving fishing opportunities for years to come. Participation is limited to 30 volunteers, so be sure to secure your spot early. Volunteers should bring gloves and wear sturdy, closed-toe footwear suitable for outdoor work. We will meet at the Boat Dock for the event.

All participants will receive a branded “Caught Up in Conservation” sticker and bandana as a thank-you for their support. Come ready to work, learn, and contribute to a meaningful conservation project in one of Tennessee’s most beautiful natural areas.

Registration for this event is required!

Join us for a rewarding day of service at Fall Creek Falls Lake as part of the “Caught Up in Conservation” event series! This 8.5-hour volunteer project will focus on rebuilding the Gilbert Gaul rain shelter along the lakeshore. This event is in coordination with Responsible Stewardship. Lunch will be provided for all participants.

Volunteers should come prepared with plenty of water, gloves, and sturdy, closed-toe shoes suitable for outdoor work. We will meet at the boat dock at 8:00 AM, and it’s a good idea to arrive about 15 minutes early to get checked in and ready to go.

This is a small, hands-on project limited to just 10 participants, allowing for a more focused and impactful experience. As a thank-you, all volunteers will receive a branded “Caught Up in Conservation” t-shirt, sticker, and bandana.

If you’re ready to put in a full day’s work and make a lasting difference, we’d love to have you join us!

Registration for this event is required!

Join us for a Volunteer Cleanup Day at Fall Creek Falls Lake! This come-and-go event runs from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, giving you the flexibility to help out whenever it fits your schedule. Volunteers can pick up cleanup supplies at the boat dock and spend as much—or as little—time as they’d like helping remove trash from around the lake. This event is in coordination with Responsible Stewardship. 

This cleanup is part of the “Caught Up in Conservation” event series, bringing people together to make a real impact in preserving our natural spaces. The goal is simple: get as many hands as possible helping keep Fall Creek Falls Lake clean and beautiful.

Whether you have 30 minutes or a few hours, every bit of help makes a difference. Come out, enjoy the outdoors, and be part of something positive! Each participant will receive a free branded sticker for participating. 

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 dispersal, hanging site tags, cleaning out grills and fire rings, reporting inappropriate activities or potential maintenance hazards, park programming, painting signs, weed whacking, leaf blowing, etc. 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.

       This is an ongoing opportunity for park volunteers and Friends Group members as individuals or in organized groups.  This opportunity will be used to record any trail maintenance not associated with clean-up efforts duties including but not limited to the following examples:

 Please contact the site supervisor to schedule your visit and allow a minimum of two weeks to process your request. Once you are scheduled, a waiver will be emailed to you to complete and return or bring with you on your workday. You will not be permitted to work without a signed and dated waiver. No exceptions.

ATTENTION ORGANIZED GROUPS: Your Group contact must make sure each participant has completed the required waiver and collect and present them to the site supervisor on the scheduled workday.  Work is not permitted without these signed and dated waivers.  No exceptions. For Youth groups parent/guardian must complete and sign waivers for each person under 18. Trail work is not recommended for anyone under 13 years old.

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.

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