Volunteers
Volunteers are individuals and groups with varying levels of skills and abilities. They work outdoors, help scientists conduct research or work with people at our many visitor's centers.
Volunteering provides great opportunities to:
- Help improve your public lands.
- Learn more about natural and cultural resources.
- Meet new people and form valuable connections.
- Get involved as a citizen steward.
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.
Pacific Northwest Region Contact:
Sarah Callaghan, Pacific Northwest Region Partnership & Community Engagement Specialist
Volunteer with Forest Service Partners
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.
Trailkeepers of Oregon
Trailkeepers of Oregon was founded by a group of concerned hikers to increase trail opportunities and improve trail conditions. Join a work party today.
Washington Trails Association
Washington Trails Association schedules more than 600 work parties each year, contributing over 80,000 hours of trail work in Washington State.
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.
Pacific NW Four Wheel Drive Association
Pacific NW Four Wheel Drive Association advocates four-wheel drive outdoor recreation while preserving the environment.
Discover Your Northwest
Discover Your Northwest: Help make Northwest public lands places of education, inspiration, and recreation for everyone. Volunteer opportunities are added frequently.
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.
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 connect with your local district office.