Conasauga Ranger District Volunteer Program

Looking for adventure?

How about challenging yet rewarding outdoor experiences that leave you with a great amount of personal satisfaction at the end of the day? If you have that desire come and join our "TEAM". As a Forest Service Volunteer on the Conasauga, there are 283 miles of trails that you can help put much TLC (trail loving care) back into for this precious resource. Volunteering gives you a chance to work side by side with our district employees and seasoned Volunteer Crew Leaders. Volunteering gives you a chance to work learn more about places like the Cohutta Wilderness, the Pinhoti Trail and Georgia's distinctly different ridge and valley region located west of Dalton. Another plus is that you will enjoy the comradery of other people who share your love for the outdoors. The award-winning Conasauga Ranger District Forest Service Volunteer program works like this:

Volunteers work (work=fun here) as often as they like. Some come once or twice a year. Others once or twice a month. Our program runs year round. There is always something going on, always work to be done. Trail maintenance involves: clearing blown down trees and limbs, swingblading, trimming, water bar maintenance and construction to prevent erosion, campsite cleanup and rehabilitation, and more!

Every quarter the district has a "Working Weekend." Volunteers work with district employees on a Friday and Saturday overnight trip on larger trail projects. The district started this in December of 1990 and it has been a huge success. Volunteers come for either day but often end up there for the entire weekend.

Trail Volunteers also receive the prestigious U.S. Forest Service Region 8 Trail Volunteer patch and additional rocker patches as they build up hours along the way. These are earned after 40 hours on the trail.

Volunteers do all kinds of work such as trail maintenance as seen here.