Explore the Possibilities
There are many ways to volunteer with the USDA Forest Service that allow people to use existing talents, explore a variety of interests, and learn new skills. People often volunteer as individuals, via community-based groups, through their workplace, during special events, as part of an internship, and to complete community service requirements.
The pathway below will help you explore these endless possibilities, understand expectations for volunteers, and learn how to apply to become a volunteer.
Find an Opportunity
There are unlimited ways for people to share their skills, passions, and time with the Forest Service. Individuals can search for specific volunteer opportunities on our forests in several ways:
Volunteer.gov
Volunteer.gov is a government website that hosts a searchable database featuring hundreds of volunteer opportunities located on public land—and online—across the United States. This is the main way in which people discover volunteer opportunities with the Forest Service. Visit Volunteer.gov to explore the many options that are available.
Community Groups & Organizations
Many people volunteer through local schools, businesses, trail stewardship groups, non-profits, Scouting programs, faith-based groups, and other organizations that partner with the Forest Service. Learn more about connecting with groups and organizations in your region by visiting our Program Partners page.
Forest Service Regions
While the best way to learn about volunteer opportunities is to visit Volunteer.gov or search for local groups and organizations that partner with the Forest Service, you can also contact the headquarters for your local forest or grassland to inquire about current and upcoming opportunities in your region.
International Visitor Program
The Forest Service welcomes international visitors to participate in educational and cultural exchange programs with the Agency during their time in the United States. Visit the Forest Service International Visitor Program website to learn more.
Special Events
One way that many people begin volunteering with the Forest Service is through special events, held annually across the country, designed specifically to celebrate citizen stewardship. Here are a few important annual events to mark on your calendar.
National Public Lands Day
Held annually on the fourth Saturday in September, National Public Lands Day (NPLD) is the largest single-day volunteer event for public lands. What began in 1994 with approximately 700 participants has now blossomed into a celebration of citizen stewardship that draws upward of 156,000 volunteers who help restore and improve public lands around the country. NPLD is a “Fee-Free Day”—entrance fees are waived at national parks and other public lands.
Please visit the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) National Public Lands Day page for more information on registering a NPLD event, setting up a virtual event, and finding an event near you.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
In 1983, Congress designated the third Monday in January as Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday named for the famed civil rights leader. Eleven years later, the holiday was named as the United States’ first-ever National Day of Service as a way to honor Dr. King’s inspiring legacy of service and leadership and encourage citizen stewardship across the country. Many opportunities exist to volunteer on the forest; check with your local Forest Service region for information on specific opportunities. In addition, MLK Jr. Day is a “Fee-Free Day”—entrance fees are waived at national parks and other public lands.
National Volunteer Month
April is National Volunteer Month in the United States, an annual celebration of citizen stewardship. During this time (especially the mid-month National Volunteer Week), Forest Service regions and districts offer special recognition for the incredible work of volunteers whose contributions are crucial to accomplishing our mission to care for the land and serve people.
National Trails Day
Launched by American Hiking Society in 1993, National Trails Day is a way to give back to the trails that we all enjoy. Celebrated on the first Saturday in June, this annual day of service brings together tens of thousands of outdoor enthusiasts who gather around the country to complete trail projects, participate in clean-ups, and advocate for the preservation and expansion of our trail systems.
Earth Day
The very first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970, inspired by the growing environmental movement and Americans’ desire to be better stewards of our air, land, and waters—and all living beings within. Now, many communities, schools, organizations, and other entities offer volunteer opportunities that combine stewardship, environmental education, and advocacy.
Volunteer Roles
Volunteers take on many roles, including citizen science, administrative work, public engagement, photography, environmental restoration, writing, campground hosting, trail building, and so much more. We’ve listed below just a few of the typical ways in which people volunteer. Remember: this is not an exhaustive list; you are limited only by your willingness to serve, as long as it is of benefit to the Forest Service!
CAMPGROUNDS
- Serve as Campground Host to maintain sites and facilities, and manage campground safety
- Coordinate stewardship and cleanup events
- Monitor developed and wilderness site
VISITOR CENTERS
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Greet and share information with visitors
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Respond to inquiries and provide interpretive talks
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Perform administrative and information technology tasks
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Manage interpretive displays and provide safety requirements
TRAIL WORK
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Maintain and clear trails, remove hazardous trees
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Perform routine checks and updates as a local steward
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Monitor and provide trail condition reports, photos, GPS locations, and descriptions
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Support recreational trail maintenance for biking, hiking, ski and other trails
CONSERVATION
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Conduct inventory of wildlife and plants
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Serve as a fire lookout to spot wildlfires
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Build and repair fences, nest boxes, picnic tables, and other structures
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Rehabilitate special natural areas, glades and wetlands
EDUCATION
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Facilitate tours and experiences for visitors
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Deliver environmental education and interpretive programs
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Represent the Forest Service at public events and schools
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Develop informational resources
CITIZEN SCIENCE
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Use Geographic Information System (GIS) to map geological landmarks and other projects
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Survey and track wildlife
- Provide large-scale data collection for science literacy and shared knowledge through Citizen Science
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Observe and explore changes to ecosystems through Bioblitz events
SPECIAL EVENTS
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Serve as booth or table host at school events or community festivals
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Participate in days of service projects, such as National Public Lands Day, Get Outdoors, or National Trails Day
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Host a friends meetup to clean up a site
VIRTUAL/DIGITAL
- Engage in online education, research, content creation, or administrative tasks
HERITAGE PROGRAM
- Participate in the Forest Service Passport in Time (PIT) program
- Conduct archival research, archaeological surveys, and excavations
- Help preserve and restore historic structures
- Document oral histories
- Curate artifacts