Volunteers
The USDA Forest Service Volunteer Program has something for almost everyone: youth, people of all abilities, retirees, professionals, homemakers, students, as well as service clubs, organizations, and more. We invite you to join the more than 2.8 million volunteers who, since 1972, have provided more than 123 million hours of service.
USDA Forest Service Volunteers:
- Help manage campgrounds
- Interact with the public at visitor centers
- Help run events and lead projects, like National Public Lands Day
- Build trails
- Inventory wildlife and plants
- Serve as fire lookouts
Becoming a Volunteer
The first step in becoming a USFS volunteer is deciding what you want to do, where you want to volunteer, and what kind of time commitment you are able to make. Opportunities can be long term, short term, single events, or service-learning programs such as Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) and Public Land Corps (PLC). Getting in touch with a national forest service unit near you is the best way to find these opportunities. Choose a forest from the drop down menu below to learn about volunteer opportunities and contact information.
Find an Eastern Region forest near you!
Many volunteer opportunities are listed on Volunteer.gov, America’s natural and cultural resources volunteer portal. It lists volunteer positions open by all federal and some state land management agencies across the country. Just apply on volunteer.gov and your information will be provided to the appropriate Forest Service contact. Available opportunities change frequently throughout the year, so visit often.
Workforce Development Opportunities
Workforce Development Partnerships (WDP) offer youth, young adults, veterans and other emerging professionals training, work experiences and hiring pathways toward natural resources careers. WDP programs include the Resource Assistants Program, Youth Conservation Corps, Public Lands Corps, Indian Youth Service Corps, and many more internship and scholarship opportunities.
Resource Assistants Internships
Youth Conservation Corps
Job Corps
Indian Youth Service Corps
Public Lands Corps
Pathways Internships
Presidential Management Fellows
Veteran Opportunities
Volunteering On Public Lands Just Got More Rewarding!
You can receive the “America the Beautiful” Volunteer Pass
What are the benefits of the pass? The pass covers entrance and/or standard amenity fees on lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Bureau of Reclamation, and Bureau of Land Management. Passes are valid for one year from the issuance date.
How can I qualify for a Volunteer pass? You can receive an America the Beautiful Volunteer Pass in recognition of your efforts by accruing 250 hours of volunteer service on participating Federal public lands. Simply coordinate tracking of your hours with your volunteer supervisor or volunteer coordinator and they can request the pass for you.
Find more information about the America the Beautiful Volunteer Pass and purchasing information on the USGS Website.
Other Resources
National Volunteer Website
Join over 80,000 volunteers annually to be part of something greater.