NatureConnect is Indiana Audubon’s volunteer management system. Here you can log your volunteer hours, view upcoming volunteer events, and keep your contact information up to date. Tracking hours through NatureConnect helps us recognize your contributions and strengthen our grant reporting.

If you’re new to the system, start by watching this short training video. It walks you through logging in, finding events, and submitting your hours. You’ll also find answers to common questions in the FAQs that follow.

Frequently Asked Questions

THE BASICS

What is NatureConnect?

NatureConnect is an online platform that Indiana Audubon (IAS) is using to manage projects and track volunteer hours. 

How do I create a NatureConnect account?

If you need a NatureConnect account, you can reach out to the IAS Volunteer Engagement Coordinator ([email protected]) and request an account. IAS will then add your name and email address to the system and send you an invitation to the platform.

What should I do if my temporary password has expired?

If you are new to NatureConnect, you will receive an email invitation with a temporary password. This password expires within 30 days of receiving the invitation. If your password has expired, reach out to the IAS Volunteer Engagement Coordinator. They will then send you a new temporary password.

Why should I log hours?

Logging your volunteer hours provides IAS with the data needed to apply for grants and funding to support its mission and programs. It also gives IAS the opportunity to recognize your contributions!

Who should log hours in NatureConnect?

All volunteers should have a NatureConnect profile and log their hours, including our youth volunteers!

When should you log hours?

Log your hours as soon as possible after volunteering. This helps IAS collect current and accurate data in a timely manner.

JOINING A PROJECT

Do I have to join a project to log hours with that project?

Yes, you will have to join a project before you can log hours with that project.

Is the project lead notified when I join a project? Should I contact them?

The project lead may not be automatically notified when you join a project. If you join a project and would like to be assigned a volunteer task, please reach out to the leader of that project. You will find their information in the top right corner of the project page.

LOGGING HOURS

What are Independent Hours?

There are two ways to log hours in NatureConnect. The first and main way to log hours is by joining and logging hours through a specific project page. The second is to log hours as Independent Hours. Independent Hours are any volunteer hours that are not associated with a specific project. 

When should I use Independent Hours?

You should only use Independent Hours if there are no specific projects associated with your volunteer time. The majority of your hours will be associated with a project. Independent Hours will be used if you are working on a special project. Please contact the IAS Volunteer Engagement Coordinator if you are unsure of where to log your hours.

What if I don’t see the project for which I need to log hours?

First, check your filters. There is an automatic filter applied in the Explore section of NatureConnect so you only see open projects. You can reset your filters, and the project may appear.

If you still don’t see the project you are looking for, try going directly to the organization page and scrolling to the bottom, where you will see all projects associated with that organization.

Should the “miles driven” include miles I drove while volunteering?

Typically, “miles driven” will be the number of miles from your home to the volunteering site. If you are driving while volunteering (e.g., driving to multiple locations to set up or check mist nets), you can include the total number of miles driven during your time volunteering.

Can I log my volunteer hours as a cumulative total?

Yes, with a caveat. You can enter your hours in bulk, but you’ll need to do so monthly rather than submitting a single total for an entire season. A simple approach is to record the full total for a given month on the first day of that month, which the system accepts without raising any flags. This monthly method offers a workable alternative when daily logging is not practical.

For example, if you logged 10 hours of volunteering time in August, you would select Aug. 1 as the Service Date and enter the full 10-hour total in the Time Spent hours field.

Daily entries are still preferred when possible.

What should I do if my hours say “redirect”?

You will occasionally see a “redirect” notice appear for hours that are listed under “My Items Under Review” on your My Impact dashboard. This means that you have to make an edit to your hours before they can be approved. If you see this redirect notice, select the hour entry to see the redirect message, which will include details about what needs to be adjusted. Next, go to your account settings and select the My Hours tab. Once there, find the hour entry that needs to be edited, select the three dots to the right of your hours entry, and select edit.

What if I log my hours in the wrong place?

You will need to go to your account settings and select the My Hours tab, and then delete the hours entry. After you have deleted the incorrect entry, you can resubmit your hours in the correct place.

I did some impromptu volunteering at Mary Gray. Where should I log my hours?

If you did some trail maintenance, you can log your hours on the Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary General Volunteer project page.

MOBILE VERSION

The mobile version of NatureConnect works a little differently from the web version. On mobile:

• Your volunteer profile does not appear under My Impact (your dashboard).
• Account settings can’t be updated.
• Logged hours can’t be edited once submitted.

However, the mobile site is perfect for quickly logging your hours on the go. For updating your profile, editing past entries, or adjusting settings, use the full web version on a laptop or desktop computer.