Volunteers
Whether individually, with your family, community organization, or business, the Forest has opportunities for us to work together to care for the land.
The type of work a volunteer can perform are as varied and diverse as the backgrounds and abilities of those who volunteer, including conservation education, nature interpretation, trail and facility maintenance, campground hosting, and reception, just to name a few. Some typical volunteer activities include:
- Maintaining and hosting campgrounds
- Building and maintaining trails
- Answering phones and greeting visitors
- Working with computers
- Providing website content
- Taking photographs
- Planting trees and seeding damaged areas
- Presenting environmental education programs
- Building and repairing fences, picnic tables, and other structures
- Building barrier-free campsites
- Restoring areas damaged by fire
- Assisting scientific researchers
Need to Know
All are encouraged!
Anyone who wants to become involved may apply! Both individuals and groups of a variety of ages, lifestyles and professions can contribute to the mission of the Forest Service. Learn more about volunteering for the Forest Service with this volunteer guide.
Typical volunteers include retirees, professionals, college students, teenagers and school children. Those under the age of 18 must have written consent of their parents or guardians. Volunteers must be in good enough health to allow them to perform their duties without risk to themselves or others. A medical exam, paid for by the Federal Government, may be required for some jobs. Persons with disabilities are encouraged to volunteer.
In addition to reaching out to your local Forest Service unit, it is encouraged that volunteers seek out local organizations that partner with the Forest Service. These partners are vital in performing tasks that support the Forest Service mission while taking on some of the coordination duties of a robust volunteer program.
Before reaching out to volunteer, consider the following:
- Is there a local Forest Service unit near me? How far am I willing to travel for a volunteer project?
- How much time do I have to volunteer? Am I interested in a single project, or a reoccurring volunteer group effort?
- What skills do I have to contribute to a project? Not sure what skills the Forest Service is looking for? View the Volunteer Application to find out more! Everyone is able and welcome to contribute in their unique way!
The opportunities are endless!
- Work part-time or full-time.
- Training may be provided.
- Your talents and preferences are matched to find a role that is fulfilling to you and the USDA Forest Service mission.
- Participate in a one-time project, several projects over several months or seasons, or year-round.
- If you are retired or have summers free, you may wish to live on a National Forest while you work as a volunteer.
- College students may perform volunteer service related to their coursework for college credit.
- A variety of jobs are available if you prefer the office environment.
- There are also numerous opportunities to perform vigorous but satisfying physical labor outdoors.
Did you know that by volunteering with the Forest Service you could be eligible for recreation passes to your favorite public lands?
In order to be eligible for these pass opportunities, volunteers must be signed up with their local Forest Service unit under current Volunteer Service Agreement OF-301a or are volunteering with a volunteer group that is in a Volunteer Service Agreement OF-301b with that local unit. Volunteers are responsible for keeping close track of their service hours in order to be eligible for these and other awards. Reach out to your local unit for additional details.
Volunteer 24 hours
- Sign up with a local Forest Service unit under a Volunteer Agreement.
- Volunteer 24 or more hours in New Mexico National Forests.
- Submit your volunteer service hours to your local Forest Service unit annually.
- Receive a free New Mexico Enchantment Volunteer Pass.
- This pass is managed by the USDA Forest Service, Southwestern Region.
- This pass covers the fee at dozens of recreation areas in five New Mexico National Forests.
- Sign up with a local Forest Service unit under a Volunteer Agreement.
- Volunteer 250 hours at Federal recreation lands nationwide.
- Submit your volunteer service hours to your local Forest Service unit. The 250 hours of service can be accrued over several years.
- Receive a free Interagency Volunteer Pass.
- This pass is managed by the U.S. Geological Survey.
- These "interagency passes" provide access to 2,000 recreation areas managed by federal land management agencies.
Volunteers on the Cibola National Forest
Volunteers on the Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands span across all of the Forest and Grassland Districts, from the plains of Texas and Oklahoma to the mountains of New Mexico, people come together to support the mission of the Forest Service.
Almost 400 people volunteered on the Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands in 2024! Together, they contributed over 16,000 hours of volunteer service.
Volunteers come together on special holidays and for special events like National Trails Day or National Public Lands Day. Some volunteers are managed by non-profit and partner organizations who show up weekly or monthly or annually to lend a hand. Some volunteers work individually providing important services with the supervision and guidance of a Forest Service employee, while others come together as a group to execute larger projects. Some volunteers are school children who show up as a class to spend time in the outdoors and give back to their public lands.
The Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands partners with a variety of local organizations, including, but not limited to:
- New Mexico Volunteers for the Outdoors
- Friends of Tijeras Pueblo
- Backcountry Horsemen
- Backcountry Hunters and Anglers
- Albuquerque Wildlife Foundation
- Hawk Watch
- New Mexico Site Watch
- New Mexico Wild
- Socorro Trails
- Friends of the Sandia Mountains
- Sandia Nordic Ski Club
- Gallup Trails
- Cibola Trail Alliance
- Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
- National Wild Turkey Federation
- Quail Forever
- Albuquerque Mountain Bike Association
- Placitas Area Trail Association
- New Mexico Climbers Resource and Advocacy Group
- 505 Elevate Cycling
Ready to Volunteer?
