Volunteers
Central Oregon’s National Forests and Grassland benefits greatly from the incredible community of diverse volunteers who are devoted to stewardship and public lands. Whether an aspiring or an advanced outdoor enthusiast, our volunteers advocate for healthy forests and protection of natural landscapes by providing education to visitors, helping to maintain trails, serving at wilderness trailheads, picking up trash, preventing the spread of invasive plants, and much more.
Volunteers are the very heart of the Forest Service. Without volunteers, these services would not be performed as well or might not be performed at all. Our non-profit partner Discover Your Forest is a critical component to the success, logistics and robust participation of volunteers on the Deschutes National Forest.
Are you interested in volunteering in your local Forest or Grassland? If so, connect with staff at Discover Your Forest or fill out the Volunteer Application below!
Volunteer Opportunities
Current Volunteer Opportunities
The Deschutes National Forest and Discover Your Forest host year-round volunteer opportunities that range from low-to-high public contact. Volunteers can work with a number of Forest Service departments, including recreation, trails, Wilderness, conservation education, and more!
Volunteer Application
Please submit a Forest Service volunteer application to start your journey volunteering with us!
Events
Friends of the Forest Days are great opportunities for families and individuals to volunteer and have fun. The National Forest Foundation (NFF) hosts Friends of the Forest Days around the country in partnership with local organizations. To learn more about volunteer opportunities and the NFF, please visit their website http://www.natlforests.org
Are you interested in organizing a special volunteer event such a 'work day' for your club, company or group? We would love to work with you! Please contact Discover Your Forest or email volunteer@discoveryourforest.org to coordinate.
Volunteer Groups
Do you want to meet other people, or just need someone else on the other end of that saw? How about joining one of these great volunteer groups below? Much of the volunteer work on the forests is accomplished through groups.
Archaelogical Society of Central Oregon
The Archaeological Society of Central Oregon (ASCO) is a group of amateur, avocational and professional archaeologists who share common interests in the history and prehistory of Central Oregon. Field projects are conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. The projects allow members and families to work with professionals on historic preservation projects such as archaeological excavations and surveys, rock art recording, and historic structure reconstruction.
Back Country Horsemen of America
Dedicated to keeping trails open for all on our public lands. Back Country Horsemen chapters work closely with trail partners and local land management agencies to clear and maintain trails.
Central Oregon Motorcycle Club
Did you know that volunteerism is an excellent way to show your appreciation for the wealth of OHV trails that you and your family enjoy? The Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests have several hundred miles of trails. We have enlisted the help of many volunteers to keep the trails and facilities in good condition. Our volunteers work long, hard hours, and the tasks they perform are numerous and varied.
Central Oregon Nordic Club
Volunteer stock shelters with wood, build and maintain shelters, clear and mark ski trails, and help with signage, bridges, and debris management.
Central Oregon Running Klub
Central Oregon Running Klub’s mission is to promote health and fitness through running and to provide an inclusive culture that strengthens the local running community through the support of key community running events, integration with community businesses, and providing running centric activities for youth through masters runners. Since 1980, CORK has been involved in race promotion, trail maintenance, weekly running groups, and coaching our youth to become State Champions and lifelong runners.
Central Oregon Trail Alliance
A local, volunteer-based organization that works in conjunction with the US Forest Service and other land managers to build and maintain more than 500 miles of trails in central Oregon.
Discover Your Forest
Stewards of the Deschutes & Ochoco National Forests and Crooked River National Grassland, Discover Your Forest seeks to engage youth to reach the next generation of stewads through educational outreach and career pathway programs, provide visitor services, interpretive programs and events to increase visitor numbers and diversity and deepen the personal commitment and involvement of the local community through volunteerism.
High Cascade Forest Volunteers
The mission of the High Cascades Forest Volunteers is to help maintain, restore and preserve the public lands and resources administered by the National Forest Service for present and future generations. Volunteers are needed for a wide range of activities, and there are plenty of opportunities to match everyone’s interest and skill. Tools and equipment will be provided. Horses or llamas will help carry equipment for some of the organized summer projects.
Oregon Equestrian Trails
A non-profit organization dedicated to promoting, preserving, and maintaining horse camps and trails in Oregon.
Oregon State Snowmobile Association - Central Oregon (District 4) Clubs
The Oregon State Snowmobile Association is an organization of individuals, snowmobile clubs, and businesses working together to preserve, protect, and enhance the sport of snowmobiling.
Pacific Crest Trail Association
Assists the U.S. Forest Service and other agencies in the maintenance and restoration of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail.
Sisters Trails Alliance
A non-profit organization whose mission is to connect people and communities to each other and their natural surroundings. They plan, build, and maintain multi-user, non-motorized trails in and around Sisters, Oregon.
Meissner Nordic Ski Club
Volunteers from this group maintain the 47 kilometers (29 miles) of groomed winter trails at Virginia Meissner Sno-Park, as well as organize cross-country ski events and races. Donations from the local ski community keep the entire operation going. The Meissner Nordic Community Ski Trails are 14 miles from Bend just off the Cascades Lakes Highway on the way to Mt. Bachelor. Meissner Nordic is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and operates under a volunteer grooming agreement with the Deschutes National Forest.
Vámanos Outside
Intention is to connect, engage & inspire our Latinx families & community into the outdoors for all of Central Oregon.