USDA Forest Service Announces 2024 National Volunteer   Award Winners

 

Why should I volunteer?

• Give back to your community.
• Improve public lands around you.
• Learn about natural and cultural resources and land management practices.
• Build new relationships.

What do volunteers do?

• Help manage campgrounds and day use areas.
• Interact with the public.
• Build and maintain trails.
• Inventory wildlife and plants.

How do I get started?

• Check out the “Places to volunteer" section below.
• Read this handy volunteer guide.
• Find Forest Service opportunities on Volunteer.gov and Forest Service Citizen Stewardship.

Have additional questions? 

• Contact: Sarah Callaghan, Pacific Northwest Region Partnership & Community Engagement Specialist

Places to volunteer

Volunteer with Forest Service Partners

The Forest Service works with hundreds of partner organizations to care for the land and serve people. Many times, these partner organizations and their volunteers are able to accomplish specific tasks that might not otherwise be completed. Often, these organizations also offer specialized training and experiences. Consider volunteering with one of our many partners.

Some of the partner organizations that work with the Forest Service throughout the Pacific Northwest are listed below, but be sure to check with the forest nearest you for a list of partner organizations in your community.

• Pacific Crest Trail Association

  

  Volunteers on the 2,650-mile long Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail participate in the adopt-a-trail program or take part in regularly scheduled weekend projects and volunteer vacations.

  Learn more

• Trailkeepers of Oregon

  

  TKO was founded by a group of concerned hikers to increase trail opportunities and improve trail conditions. Join a work party today.

  Read More

• Washington Trails Association

  

  WTA schedules more than 600 work parties each year, contributing over 80,000 hours of trail work in Washington State

  Read More

• Back Country Horsemen of America

  

  Back Country Horsemen of America volunteers keep trails open for all users & teaching riders Leave No Trace practices and working to keep public lands open to recreational stock use.

  Read More

• Pacific NW Four Wheel Drive Association

  

  Pacific NW Four Wheel Drive Association advocates four-wheel drive outdoor recreation while preserving the environment.

  Read More

• Discover Your Northwest

  

  Discover Your Northwest: Help make Northwest public lands places of education, inspiration, and recreation for everyone. Volunteer opportunities are added frequently.

  Read More

• SOLVE

  

  SOLVE takes action to keep natural spaces clean and green. Join over 35,000 volunteers at over 1,000 cleanup and restoration projects every year.

  Read More

 

Volunteer by Interest Area

• Campground hosts maintain campgrounds, talk with campers, collect fees, and spend the season living on a National Forest.
• Construction & Maintenance volunteers have a love for building things and improving Forest Service lands and facilities.
• Conservation Education volunteers share help inspire others at events and visitor centers.
• Trail & Site Maintenance volunteers don't mind getting their hands dirty repairing trails or removing invasive plants.
• Backcountry program volunteers hike the trails and are stewards for our Wildernesses.
• Fish & Wildlife volunteers help scientists with research to maintain vital animal habitat.
• Fire Prevention programs educate the public or work in the field to promote fire safety.
• Archeology & Historic Preservation volunteers chronicle our collective past & preserve our stories.
• Natural Resources people support healthy water, soil, plants, timber, and other Forest Service resources.
• GIS & Technology volunteers apply their skills to apply current tech for forest health.
• General Assistance volunteers do what needs doing around the office and welcome folks to the Forest Service.
• Youth Crews help out across the region out on the land. Most come with stipends.

 

Volunteer at a National Forest in the Pacific Northwest

For information about volunteering opportunities on your local forest, please select the forest you'd like to volunteer on to be directed to their volunteering page on their website.

Find a forest by location: 

Find a forest by name: 

Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area	Colville National Forest
Deschutes National Forest	Fremont-Winema National Forest
Gifford Pinchot National Forest	Malheur National Forest
Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest	Mt. Hood National Forest
Ochoco National Forest	Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
Olympic National Forest	Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest
Siuslaw National Forest	Umatilla National Forest
Umpqua National Forest	Wallowa-Whitman National Forest
Willamette National Forest