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Volunteering
Volunteer photo provided by: Ascend Wilderness Experience
Volunteer with the Shasta-Trinity National Forest!
It’s about people, just like you! For more than 100 years, the Forest Service has brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Our volunteers and partners contribute to a wide variety of tasks on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. They provide assistance in almost every program area on our forest, including visitor centers, trail maintenance and repair, patrolling the forest as wilderness rangers, campground hosts, enhancing our recreation sites by keeping them clean and maintained, providing conservation education programs to the public, and more!
What captures your interest?
The diversity of projects and positions available offers each person a chance to participate in an activity that meets their individual or group interests.
The Shasta-Trinity Volunteer Program has something for almost everyone: youth, people of all abilities, retirees, professionals, homemakers, students, as well as service clubs, organizations, and more. If you enjoy connecting with other community members and care about our country's natural resources, we need your time and talents.
Fill out a volunteer application and send it to your local volunteer coordinator to find an opportunity that matches your interests!
Why Volunteer?
Working with the Forest Service and fellow volunteers is an opportunity to see what our National Forests have to offer in a way beneficial to both yourself and the forest. The commitment you make is up to you.
Volunteers contribute in many different capacities, some work full-time for several months, some donate a few hours each week, and others participate in single day activities, such as garbage clean ups. On occasion, opportunities arise for student volunteers to earn college credits through a college-approved internship program, or to become familiar with Forest Service activities and philosophy. Many individuals have found their volunteer experience has guided them towards job interest and possible careers. Retirees or others with skills to share often find that a volunteer position provides them with a nice change of pace.
- It can give you the opportunity to pursue a special interest, such as bird watching or hiking.
- Help to improve or give back to your local community.
- Develop or diversify your job experience and career choices.
- Perform vigorous but satisfying physical labor in the great outdoors.
- Meet people and form new friendships, or gain self-satisfaction in providing community service.
- Spending time in the great outdoors, enjoying the company of your fellow volunteers and visitors, can give you a new perspective on other facets of your life.
- Some volunteer positions provide housing or a free campground site, uniform, and/or reimbursement for certain out of pocket expenses, depending on the nature and location of the volunteer project and the availability of funds.
Volunteering with an Organization
The Forest Service works with hundreds of partner organizations to care for the land and serve people. Many times, these partner organizations and their volunteers are able to accomplish specific tasks that might not otherwise be completed. Often, these organizations also offer specialized training and experiences. Consider volunteering with one of our many partners. Some of the partner organizations that work with the Forest Service can be found at USFS Partnerships.
See the organizations below for group volunteer opportunities with the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.
Ascend Wilderness Experience : Based in Weaverville, CA, offers experiences in wilderness that encourage personal and social development as well as appreciation for the natural environment. Since the organization’s founding in 2006, Ascend has led hundreds of adventurers into the Trinity Alps Wilderness Area in Northern California, providing all food, gear, transportation and training at no cost. At Ascend, we are committed to making wilderness accessible to anyone!
The Bigfoot Trail Alliance: A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is working to support the establishment of the 360 mile route through the Klamath Mountains to celebrate the region’s biodiversity. The BFTA fosters a community committed to constructing, maintaining, promoting, and protecting—in perpetuity—the Bigfoot Trail.
Mt. Shasta Trail Association: MSTA is a California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation. We build trails, advocate for more access to trails and trail protection, and work to conserve the natural beauty of our area. In addition, we offer a selection of resources to aid newcomers and experienced hikers alike.
The Watershed Research & Training Center: A non-profit organization located in the heart of Trinity County, California. We conduct the full gamut of land and watershed management services, lead state biomass and fire resilience partnerships, and through partnerships with communities, organizations, and public agencies we steward our landscape, create and sustain quality jobs, and connect people to the land and each other.
Trinity Trail Alliance: A a non-profit group in Trinity County, located in the coastal mountains of Northern California. Our goal is to help build, maintain, and promote non-motorized trail use in our area. We are also excited to share some of our favorite trail activities with a larger community. Our remote part of the state makes for the perfect place to get out and explore. Come join us enjoy the outdoors.
Mt. Shasta Avalanche Center : To support the Shasta-Trinity National Forest Mt. Shasta Avalanche Center in its efforts to enhance public awareness of backcountry avalanche hazards and safety measures, promote winter snow safety and provide information concerning snow conditions and weather to winter recreationalists throughout the Mt. Shasta area.
Redding Trail Alliance: A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization focused on building, maintaining and advocating for mountain bike trails and bike parks in the greater Redding area. "To create high quality trail experiences by advocating for, building, and maintaining trails which are progressive, diverse, and promote community".
The Top of the State Unit of the Backcountry Horsemen of California: Backcountry Horsemen advocate a combination of service and education to protect our heritage of back country stock use on all public lands.
Pacific Crest Trail Association: Protecting America's Greatest Wild and Scenic Trail Experience.Volunteer your passion for the PCT. Be outdoors. Play in the dirt. Sleep under the stars.
The Forest Fire Lookout Association : (FFLA), founded in 1990, is an organization involved in research of current and former forest fire lookout sites, ground cabins and early forest fire detection methods. It promotes the protection, enjoyment, and understanding of Lookouts.
