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Boulder County
Parks & Open Space

5201 St. Vrain Road
Longmont, CO  80503
map

tel (303) 678-6200
fax (303) 678-6180

Boulder County Fairgrounds
9595 Nelson Rd.
Affolter House
Longmont, CO  80501
map
tel (303) 678-6235
fax (303) 678-6322

 


Wild Work: Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities


Volunteer Naturalist Program

Be a Volunteer Naturalist and inform the public about the natural history of Boulder County. Develop and present outdoor and indoor interpretive programs, and lead nature hikes and other natural history-related field experiences.

Contact the Natural History Program Coordinator at lcolbenson@bouldercounty.org or 303-678-6214 for more information.


Writer for "Images" Quarterly Newsletter

Write an article for the Boulder County Parks and Open Space’s quarterly publication Images. We are looking for articles about local natural and cultural history, wildlife and plants as well as other topics.

If you are interested in writing an article for an upcoming issue, please contact Pascale Fried at 303-678-6201 or email pfried@bouldercounty.org.


Raptor Monitoring

Boulder County Parks and Open Space tracks raptors during the winter, and during breeding season. Raptor monitor volunteers identify and record raptor activity on open space and other local public lands. Contact the Wildlife Division for more information about the program at mbrennan@bouldercounty.org or 303-678-6203.


Native Plant Restoration

Assist in native plant restoration projects including weed pulling, seed collection, planting and transplanting native plants, wetlands work, and maintaining restoration areas. Contact the Plant Ecologist at cdeleo@bouldercounty.org or 303-678-6205 for more information.


Guides to the Past at Agricultural Heritage Center or Walker Ranch

The Agricultural Heritage Center at the Lohr/McIntosh Farm is looking for volunteers with a passion for cultural history and a strong desire to share that passion with others.  As a tour guide, you will help visitors explore Boulder County’s rich agricultural past at this charming 1868 homestead in Longmont.  Share the secrets hidden inside a restored 1909 farmhouse with inquisitive visitors.  Watch children’s eyes light up as you demonstrate how an authentic player piano works.  Share a story from the past, help tend an early 20th century “war garden”, or just watch the chickens roam in the front yard. 

Training takes place on Saturday, March 29 or Saturday, May 10 from 9:00 to 3:00.  

Please contact Tom McMichen at 303-776-8848 or tmcmichen@bouldercounty.org. Application deadline is March 26 or May 7.

 

Walker Ranch Homestead is looking for volunteers to demonstrate daily chores of a working western ranch -- including cooking on a wood-burning stove, churning butter, making roof shingles, assisting the blacksmith, and doing laundry the old fashioned way with a scrub board, wringer & tub.

 

This is a great family volunteer opportunity! Costumed volunteers participate in special events up at the historic Walker Ranch Homestead and conduct a variety of historical presentations to school groups and general public throughout Boulder County.  

 

A special training program will take place on April 26 & May 3 (Saturdays) from 8:30am to 4pm. Training will include topics on local history, lifestyles of the 1880s, historical ranch activities, and interpretive techniques.  

 

So, grab your neighbor and a friend to sign up for this great volunteer opportunity! Application deadline is April 19.

 

Contact Tom McMichen at (303) 776-8848 or tmcmichen@co.boulder.co for an application and more details.


Adopt a Park or Trail

Families, schools, community groups, and businesses can adopt a trail and become part of our county's park maintenance system. Adoptees pick up litter at least four times between April and October.  Depending on the site and your group's interests, you may also participate in trail maintenance, wildlife habitat construction, weed control and other park improvements.

Groups or individuals participating in this program will be recognized on a sign posted at the park and an adoption certificate. Contact the Adopt a Park or Trail Coordinator at mbruce@bouldercounty.org or 303-678-6216 for more information.


Park Hosts

Park Hosts have lots of opportunities to make a difference while patrolling some of Boulder County's premier open spaces.  Park hosts provide park visitors with information about the cultural and natural history of parks, recreational opportunities, facilities, and regulations. An important part of the department’s field staff, park hosts keep visitors updated about current resource management issues and answer visitor's questions about the parks. Volunteers must be friendly, approachable, and have a general knowledge of open space flora and fauna.  Training takes place May 3rd and May 10th. 

Volunteers must be friendly, approachable, and have a general knowledge of open space, flora and fauna. Contact the Park Host Coordinator at mbauer@bouldercounty.org or 303-678-6219 for an application and more information.


Weed Pulls

Are you tired of seeing non-native plants on your County open space lands? Help pull weeds which threaten our native habitat. Contact  ssauer@bouldercounty.org or 303-678-6110 for more information and for dates.


Seed Collection Crew Leader
 

Parks and Open Space is training volunteers to lead native seed collection projects.  Seed collected on Open Space is well adapted to local soils and climate, and is utilized in ecological restoration projects.  Volunteers who would like to become crew leaders must attend a one-day training.  For an application and more information, please contact Matt Bruce at 303-678-6216 or mbruce@bouldercounty.org.   

Visitor Surveys

Perform a variety of surveys with park visitors and the public on visitor use. Contact the Park Interpreter at mbauer@bouldercounty.org or 303-678-6219 for more information.


Gardening - Group Project

A group is needed to assist with planting and monitoring a flower garden at the Agricultural Heritage Center. Some horticulture and gardening experience is preferred. This is an on-going project through spring, summer and fall. Contact Tom McMichen at tmcmichen@bouldercounty.org or 303-776-8848 for more information.


Trail Crew Leaders - New Program!
 

Do you ride, hike or run Boulder County’s multi-use trails?  Do you want to extend and improve your local singletrack?  Parks and Open Space is collaborating with Boulder Mountain Bike Alliance and REI to train volunteers to lead small groups at trail construction and maintenance work projects.  This opportunity will allow you to meet and work with other trail users, gain leadership experience, and provide a worthwhile service to your community. Volunteer trail crew leaders must be 18 years or older, attend a two-day trail crew leader training scheduled for April 19 and 20, and commit to working a minimum of two trail projects between May through October.  For an application and more information, contact Matt Bruce at 303-678-6216 or mbruce@bouldercounty.org.  Application deadline is April 11.

Forestry Crew Leaders

 

Get into the backcountry!  We are recruiting volunteers to lead small groups at forest restoration projects to help maintain healthy tree density and diversity, while improving wildlife habitat for birds and mammals.  Your efforts will also reduce wildland fire hazards and prepare areas for prescribed burns.  Crew leaders must be 18 years or older, be able to attend a training session on Saturday April 5, from 9:00-3:00, and commit to leading four forestry projects a year. 

For an application and more information, please contact Matt Bruce at 303-678-6216 or mbruce@bouldercounty.org. Application deadline is April 2. 


Team-Building Opportunity for Businesses and Organizations

Are you looking for an opportunity for your business, club, or group to work together, outside of the office, while giving back to the community?  If so, then maybe you would be interested in participating in a group volunteer project with Parks and Open Space! Last year, 27 local corporate and non-profit groups volunteered with Parks and Open Space while serving the communities in their own backyard. 

In an effort to improve plant and wildlife habitat, restore natural ecosystems and maintain local trails, the department is enlisting volunteer groups to help with forestry, weed pulling, trail maintenance and native seed collections.  We can develop a project to fit your schedule and tailor it to your interests. 

If this sounds like a great opportunity for your group, please contact Matt Bruce at mbruce@bouldercounty.org or call 303-678-6216 to arrange a project.

 

 

Black-tailed prairie dog.

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