Minto-Brown Island Park is a large and very beautiful wildlife refuge located along the Willamette River. This park is important because it serves as a floodplain and provides critical wildlife habitat as well as a space for people to enjoy nature, exercise, and connect with the outdoors.

We have two programs for people who enjoy being involved in their community and Minto-Brown Island Park.

Park Patrol Volunteer

You can walk, jog, ride a bicycle, or exercise your dog on ADA accessible pathways while helping keep Minto-Brown Island Park safe for our visitors. Being a Park Patrol member is a fun way to enjoy nature and get exercise.

Park Patrol volunteers help park users by providing information about trail conditions, directions, and park rules. They also report hazardous conditions, vandalism, or illegal activities. If you can commit to volunteering for eight or more hours a month, this could be a great opportunity for you. While you volunteer, you can meet a park ranger and learn about the Eagle Watch area. You will be required to submit a volunteer application, pass a background check and complete a short training session.

Eagle Watch

Volunteers with the City of Salem’s Eagle Watch Program, will need to provide their own binoculars and/or spotting scopes and personal mobile devices (if available).

During your observation period, you will be doing the following:

• Occupancy survey to confirm the nest is still active/occupied.
• Behavioral monitoring, consisting of watching for activity within the line of sight (or sound for louder activities) of the eagle(s) and noting any changes in their behavior.
• Taking notes on the number of trail users and types of activities occurring in the vicinity of the nest.

Before conducting your first monitoring visit, you will be required to submit a volunteer application, pass a background check and complete a short training session.

Get Involved

Are you interested in becoming a Park Patrol volunteer or an Eagle Watcher? Contact Ranger Zieker today!

Mike Zieker
Email: mzieker@cityofsalem.net
Phone: 503-540-2313