Volunteering

Volunteers play a vital role in taking care of the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Our motto of caring for the land and serving people is made possible through stewards like you, and we value learning from the expertise and skills our volunteers bring to the agency. As a volunteer with the Forest Service, you will:

• Learn new skills and gain confidence working in the outdoors.
• Contribute to key projects, and make a positive impact on public lands that present and future generations will enjoy.
• Meet new people and make new friends.

The Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest offers volunteer opportunities across all the forest and in a variety of fields, such as recreation, interpretation, trail maintenance, and administrative roles. Learn how to get involved below!

Volunteering for the US Forest Service

Eagle Watcher Volunteer Stewardship Program

Since 1992, Eagle Watcher volunteer stewards have played a vital role in helping visitors appreciate and understand bald eagles and the rich complexity of the Skagit River watershed.   Equipped with spotting scopes and field guides, volunteers work three six-hour shifts at stations along the Skagit River during the peak eagle migration to the Skagit. Come join us!

Learn more  

Opportunities with the Snoqualmie Ranger District

Snoqualmie Ranger District encompasses almost 350,000 acres of land, including 110,000 acres within the Alpine Lakes, Norse Peak, and Clearwater Wilderness areas. Full and part-time volunteers are needed at all levels of difficulty. Learn more

Volunteer on the Mt. Baker Ranger District

Citizens for Forest Roads (CFFR)

CFFR is a nonprofit whose volunteers help in the preservation of access to federal lands by maintaining existing forest roads. CFFR volunteer crews help maintain roads with ditch clean-outs, hand and mechanical brushing, and road clearing. All work is conducted under USFS or DNR land managers.

Nooksack Nordic Ski Club

Become a Nordic Ambassador at Salmon Ridge SnoPark, join a trail work party, or help groom tracks for ski and snowshoe trails. Note: may need to join club to participate in volunteer events.

Northwest Glacier Cruisers

The club supports safe access to groomed trails and warming huts for Washington snowmobilers. Note: may need to join club to participate in volunteer events.

Pacific Northwest Trail Association (PNTA)

As the creators and stewards of the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail, PNTA leads volunteer crews to perform trail maintenance and construction projects for upkeep of the trail.

Skagit, Whatcom, Island Trail Maintenance Organization (SWITMO)

SWITMO is a nonprofit volunteer organization that works to maintain a portion of the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail. Volunteer work parties are held twice per month April through October.

Become a Mountain Steward

The Mt. Baker Ranger District is looking for volunteers to help educate day hikers, backpackers and climbers on four of the busiest Mt. Baker area trail systems; Heliotrope Ridge, Skyline Divide, Park Butte/Railroad Grade, Yellow Aster Butte, and Heather Meadows/Artist Point.

As a Mountain Steward volunteer you will receive training in low-impact recreational skills, natural history, and back country management issues.  You will then volunteer for three daytime shifts interacting with the public on trails with fellow Mountain Stewards.

Learn more

Trail Restoration & Construction

Iron Goat Trail
Help build and maintain the Iron Goat Trail. This historic recreational trail follows the abandoned Great Northern Railway line located in the Stevens Pass area of the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.

Pacific Northwest Four Wheel Drive Association
This non-profit organization advocates four-wheel drive outdoor recreation while preserving the environment. Members promote leave no trace practices.

Back Country Horsemen of Washington
These volunteers help keep trails open for all users. They teach riders Leave-No-Trace practices and work with natural resource agencies to keep public lands open to recreational stock use.

Washington Trails Association
Each year hundreds of people join Washington Trails Association as volunteers - on the trail, in the office and with the public at events. WTA schedules more than 600 work parties each year, contributing 80,000 hours of trail work in Washington state. You don't need to have any prior experience (or be particularly strong) to join - just sign up for a work party.

Youth Opportunities

The Forest Service partners with organizations that host both volunteer and/or paid experiences for youth. Learn more about these opportunities below:

• Earth Corps
• Student Conservation Association
• Northwest Youth Corps
• Pacific Northwest Trail Association SKY Program
• Washington Trails Association