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Volunteers

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not.” ― Dr. Seuss, The Lorax

Volunteers are the Heartbeat of the Forest!

Why Volunteer?

Working with the Forest Service and fellow volunteers is an opportunity to see what our National Forests have to offer in a way beneficial to both yourself and the forest.

  • It can give you the opportunity to pursue a special interest, such as bird watching or hiking.
  • Develop or diversify your job experience and career choices.
  • Earn credit towards college with volunteer internships.
  • If you are retired or have summers free, live on a national forest while you work as a volunteer.
  • Perform vigorous but satisfying physical labor outdoors.
  • Meet people and form new friendships or gain self-satisfaction in providing community service.
  • Spending time in the outdoors, enjoying the company of your fellow volunteers and visitors, can give you a new perspective on other facets of your life.
  • Help with trail work, host at a campground, conduct bird surveys, help with conservation education, join an Adopt-A-Trail club, or help out in the wilderness!
  • Work in the field with biologists, botanists, archaeologists, recreation rangers, and other Forest Service personnel!

 

Does this sound like a great time? Well, you came to the right place!

For more specifics about what being a volunteer means, check out this handy volunteer guide.

Check out the groups below to see if an opportunity that might interest you already exists. 

You can also find Forest Service opportunities on Volunteer.gov.

If you’d rather be a lone wolf, no worries! Fill out this Volunteer Application and send it to the Stanislaus National Forest Volunteer Coordinator using this link.

 

Get Involved on the Stanislaus!

Forest Health & Restoration Opportunities

 

Wilderness and Non-Motorized Trail Maintenance

 

4x4 & Off-Highway Vehicle Associated Trail Maintenance

 

Winter Recreation and Over Snow Volunteer Opportunities

 

Get Involved Nationally!

  • Wilderness Volunteers is a nonprofit organization whose mission is stewardship of America's wild lands through organizing and promoting volunteer service in cooperation with public lands agencies.
  • Golden Trout Project - Trout Unlimited (TU), California Trout (CalTrout) and the Federation of Flyfishers (FFF) are assisting the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) in a collaborative effort to protect and restore the California Golden Trout in the Inyo National Forest. Volunteer projects in California are listed on the website: https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Explore/Volunteering
  • American Hiking Society - Join other volunteers as they experience the joy and camaraderie of working on a trail and conserving a legacy in America 's most remote wild places.
  • Volunteer.gov - Volunteer opportunities exist at the national level with many federal agencies including National Parks, National Forests, USA Freedom Corps, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. For more information about these and other opportunities, please visit Volunteer.gov/s/ and get involved in America's Communities of Service.
  • Passport in Time - New projects are being advertised through https://www.volunteer.gov. Sign up for an account in www.volunteer.gov to apply for projects and then search the website for federal volunteer projects in the geographic areas of your choice. Use search terms, such as Archaeology, Historic Preservation, or Passport In Time to find projects that fit your interest and experience. If you have any questions about the Passport In Time Program, please contact the USDA Forest Service at sm.fs.PIT@usda.gov.

 

Volunteer as a Lone Wolf

If you’d rather volunteer on your own and not with a group, that’s totally fine too. Volunteers can work on their own in a variety of areas. Here are a few options...

  • Visitor Services
  • Campground maintenance
  • Storm Patrol
  • Trail maintenance
  • Campground hosts
  • Office work
  • Archaeology
  • Wildlife surveys
  • Conservation education
  • Tree planting

A Little Bit About Being a Forest Service Volunteer…

There's a wide range of interesting and educational opportunities available for you to enjoy. Volunteers do everything from constructing and maintaining trails to serving as campground hosts, wilderness rangers, research assistants, clerks, writers, and photographers.

Although you will not receive pay for your work as a volunteer, there are other benefits. Many people are happy to be able to 'give back' something to the lands they've enjoyed using over the years. Others look upon the work as a chance to get career-related work experience or take a break from their regular routines. 

There is no minimum age for volunteering, so whole families can participate. However, a volunteer under 18 needs written consent from a parent or guardian. Volunteers are not considered federal employees, but they do receive legal protection as well as insurance for work-related injuries. If you get hurt while you’re helping us out, we got you covered! 

Transportation to and from volunteer work sites is usually not provided, but on the job training is, and protective equipment is usually available for most projects. We’ll even provide tools and teach you how to use them!

Come join us! Being a Forest Service volunteer just might be one of the most memorable experiences you'll ever have.

If you have any questions about volunteering on the Stanislaus National Forest, please email our Volunteer Coordinator. 

Last updated June 10th, 2025

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