Spark Change!
HNP is powered by passionate volunteers who share a love for nature and environmental stewardship. Whether you're a seasoned gardener, a writer, or just eager to help, we offer a variety of volunteer opportunities (more to come soon) that allow you to make a difference wherever you are. Explore the roles below and get more involved in the movement!
While we may not have an open position that matches your specific skills right now, filling out our volunteer registration form ensures you’ll be added to our volunteer database. We’ll reach out as opportunities that align with your interests and expertise become available.
If none of these roles seem like a good fit, or if we’re unable to match you up with an interesting opportunity, please consider contacting your local conservation organizations. They are often understaffed and underfunded and need committed individuals like you to help out. Thank you again for your passionate commitment to restoring biodiversity!
Blog Post Writer: Use your writing skills to help grow the Homegrown National Park® movement! We’re looking for volunteers to contribute blog posts that educate, inspire, and share the everyday impact of planting native. Posts can range from how-to guides and simplified science to personal stories about connection, purpose, and the joys of watching life return. Articles should be grounded in science but written in a clear, friendly voice that welcomes readers of all experience levels.
Commitment:
- Flexible. You can submit a one-time blog post or inquire about contributing a regular series—whatever fits your time and interest.Â
- Posts are typically 700–1,500 words.Â
- If selected, you'll work with the HNP team on any needed edits to align with our voice and mission.
Do You Have These Skills?
- Strong writing and communication skills
- Knowledge of native plants and/or ecology
- Ability to meet deadlines and take feedback
How it works:
Once you complete the volunteer registration form, you’ll receive our blog submission guidelines and a list of current topic ideas (or you can pitch your own). Our team reviews all submissions and will contact you if your post is selected for publication. If chosen, you’ll work with the Homegrown National Park® team on any needed edits to ensure your piece fits our voice and mission.
To apply for this opportunity, please fill out our volunteer registration form.
Full Stack Developer: We are seeking a skilled full stack developer to join our dev team to advance our mission of restoring biodiversity through our interactive Biodiversity Map. This is a great opportunity to apply your technical skills to a meaningful cause focused on sustainability and biodiversity.
Commitment:
- Build and maintain map-based UI features using React, TypeScript, and Mapbox.
- Contribute to backend services using Node.js and PostgreSQL.
- Work within an AWS environment, utilizing services such as Amazon Cognito for user authentication, RDS with PostgreSQL, and EC2 for hosting.
- Collaborate with our operations and technology teams to enhance the user experience to make our map more engaging.
- Support internal tools, resolve bugs, and improve system reliability and performance.
- Flexible but we require at least 5 hours per week.Â
Do you have these Skills?
- Expertise in full stack development using Node.js, React, and Typescript.
- Experience working in AWS environments, including EC2, Cognito, and RDS.
- Experience with PostgreSQL and working with geospatial data, particularly with Mapbox or similar mapping technologies.
- Understanding of deployment workflows and DevOps practices.
How it works: Once an application is submitted we will review your qualifications and reach out if your interests and skills align with our current needs. Keep in mind we do already have some volunteers so although we may not reach out immediately, as a position opens that aligns with your skills we will contact you. Â
To apply for this opportunity, please fill out our volunteer registration form.
Grant Writer: We are looking for a dedicated and detail-oriented Volunteer Grant Writer to help secure funding for Homegrown National Park’s initiatives. The ideal candidate will have a passion for environmental conservation, excellent writing skills, and experience in grant writing. As a Volunteer Grant Writer, you will play a key role in identifying potential grant opportunities and crafting compelling proposals to support our mission of regenerating biodiversity.
Commitment:
- Research and identify grant opportunities from foundations, corporations, and government sources that align with HNP’s mission.
- Write and edit persuasive, clear, and concise grant proposals, letters of inquiry, and supporting materials.
- Collaborate with team members to gather necessary information, such as project details, budgets, and impact metrics.
- Ensure proposals are submitted on time and meet all requirements set by the funding organizations.
- Maintain accurate records of grant applications and deadlines.
- Assist with grant reporting, tracking the status of applications, and ensuring compliance with grant requirements.
- This is a volunteer position with flexible hours, but we ask for a commitment of approximately 5-10 hours per week on average.
Do you have these skills?:
- Proven experience in grant writing, with a successful track record of
securing funding (volunteer or professional). - Strong research skills to identify relevant grant opportunities.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft
clear and compelling narratives. - Strong attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines.
- Passion for environmental conservation, biodiversity, and HNP’s mission.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
How it works: Please submit a writing sample along with your volunteer application. If available please list the grants you have applied for and state if they were funded or not. If you chose for this role we will get back to you with further details and instructions on how to move forward.Â
To apply for this opportunity, please fill out our volunteer registration form.
Description:
Do you love digging into plant data and making science accessible? We’re looking for a volunteer researcher to help expand the Homegrown National Park® Keystone Plant Database by identifying and vetting native plants, with a focus on keystone species. You’ll help grow our trusted resource used by thousands of people across North America to plant native and restore biodiversity.This is a flexible remote role with collaborative check-ins. Ideal for those with a botany, ecology, horticulture, or environmental science background—or a strong interest in native plants and the skills to research them.
Commitment:
- Research and suggest native keystone plants appropriate for specific ecoregions.
- Evaluate sources and ensure scientific accuracy.
- Enter findings into a shared tracking system.
- Communicate regularly with Krista De Cooke, Strategic Partnership and Science Lead, for guidance and feedback.
- 5 hours a week, depending on availability. Minimum 3-month commitment preferred.
Do You Have These Skills?
We’re looking for people who are:
- Familiar with or eager to learn about native plants and their ecological roles
- Skilled at finding and verifying credible scientific sources
- Detail-oriented and organized
- Comfortable using spreadsheets and collaborative tools like Google Drive
How It Works:
Once you submit your application, we’ll review your background and reach out to schedule a brief interview with Krista. If it’s a match, we’ll provide onboarding materials and introduce you to our plant database tools. You’ll begin by working on a small assignment to get familiar with our process before moving on to independent research projects with ongoing support.
To apply for this opportunity, please fill out our volunteer registration form.
Resource Directory Outreach: Do you have favorite native plant resources or ecological landscaping professionals in your area? Or are you interested in discovering and promoting new ones that serve your community? We'd love your help growing this national movement and connecting people with local businesses that support biodiversity! Whether you’re spotlighting longtime favorites or uncovering new gems, your work will empower others to make ecologically responsible choices via the HNP Resource Directory.
Commitment:
- Research local, regional, or statewide native plant sellers, seed providers, and service professionals.
- Gather and organize accurate contact information and details about each resource.
- Collaborate with the HNP team to reach out to potential resources, introducing them to the directory and encouraging participation.
- This role is flexible based on your availability and goals. We suggest aiming for 3-5 businesses per quarter, but you’re welcome to do more or less depending on your capacity. Every new resource helps!
Do You Have These Skills?
- Internet research experience
- Attention to detail for gathering and organizing information
- Strong communication skillsÂ
- Bonus: Familiarity with native plant businesses in your area is a plus!
How it works: Once you apply, we’ll send printable handouts and a link to the resource directory. After reviewing the existing listings for your state, research native plant service providers in your area. Once you’ve identified quality local candidates, reach out or visit these businesses to share the HNP movement and invite them to advertise their services on the free directory. Maybe they’re also willing to have informational HNP cards, bookmarks, or flyers available at their front desk!
To apply for this opportunity, please fill out our volunteer registration form.
Tabling Events: We are looking for a dedicated and engaging volunteer to spread the Homegrown National Park’s initiative. The ideal candidate will have a passion for environmental conservation, and enjoy engaging beginners in this grassroots movement. You will set up, run and clean up a table at local events near you. You will be researching events to have a table at as well as have the opportunity to attend events that HNP is invited to.Â
Commitment:
- Find local (city, regional, state) events where the audience would be engaged and interested in the Homegrown National Park Movement.Â
- Attend these events along with events that HNP is invited to.
- Set up a table to educate attendees about regenerating biodiversity.
- Be an advocate for HNP and be comfortable navigating our site.Â
- This role is flexible based on your availability and goals. We suggest aiming for 3-5 events per quarter, but you’re welcome to do more or less depending on your capacity.
Do you have these skills?
- Involvement in your communityÂ
- Outgoing and talkative qualities
- Ability to comfortably navigate websites and utilize printers
- Ability to transport yourself and the marketing materials to and from events
- Knowledge of planting native and the HNP biodiversity movementÂ
- Creativity to set up an eye-catching table
How it works: Once you submit the volunteer registration form we will add you to our events list. We will reach out to you when we are invited to attend community events. These may include festivals, info sessions, etc. Attending events that we are invited to is exciting and allows us to know HNP is well known in that area, however reaching new audiences is crucial. You will be researching and keeping an eye out for events that you think HNP would be a good fit for. If there are more than one volunteer in an area we may pair you to go to events but you should be comfortable going by yourself. We will provide materials for you to print and hand out during these events. When you are done with an event you will fill out this form so we better track our advocacy reach.
To apply for this opportunity, please fill out our volunteer registration form.