Volunteering

Volunteers in the National Forests

Volunteers are the heartbeat of the Forest Service. The types of work a volunteer can perform are many and varied; the only tasks a volunteer cannot carry out are those associated with law enforcement and firefighting.

Your talents and skills are matched with your work preference to obtain a role that satisfies you andbest fulfills the mission of the Forest Service/USDA. You may work on a part-time or full-time basis. You can participate in a one-time project or serve over several months, seasons, or year-round. The commitment you make is up to you. Training may be provided to you if your job requires it. If you are retired or have summers free, you may wish to live on a national forest while you work as a volunteer. College students may perform volunteer service related to their coursework for college credit. A variety of jobs are available if you prefer the office environment. There are also numerous opportunities to perform vigorous but satisfying physical labor outdoors.

If you are interested in pursuing volunteer work on the Coconino National Forest you may contact the following people on the various Ranger Districts in your area of interest:

In the Happy Jack/Blue Ridge area north of the town of Strawberry:

• Mogollon Rim Ranger District, Suzy Lankford, 928-477-5014
  • Upcoming Projects on the Mogollon Rim

In the Sedona/Verde Valley area:

• Red Rock Ranger District, Justin Loxley, 928-203-7535
  • Wilderness Specialist Program
• For a variety of forest-related volunteer opportunities in the Sedona area, see Friends Of The Forest Sedona's website

In the Flagstaff Area:

• Peaks and Mormon Lake Ranger Districts, Nina Hubbard, 928-527-8213
  • Calendar of Volunteer Work Events 2008 available in the Flagstaff Area and open to all.
  • Camp Elden Volunteer Program - 2008 (44kb .pdf) - Information on volunteer opportunities in Flagstaff that allows you to hook up your RV/Trailer with utilities and volunteer on the Forest for 3-4 days a week.  There are a variety of skills and abilities needed every summer in the cool pines of the volcanic highlands! 
• Volunteer Application Package
  • Things You Need To Know (Volunteer Policies)
  • Application (.pdf) See the job descriptions, find a job you are interested in, and then send your application to the Volunteer Coordinator, Nina Hubbard at 5075 N. Hwy 89, Flagstaff, Arizona 86004 (Phone # 928-527-8213).

Fliers and Project Information:

The Arizona Trail - "The Trail" Arizona Trail Calendar

Forest Service calling for potential volunteer to this year's Wilderness Information Specialist Tri-Forest Training Session. [June 8, 2008 News Release]

For additional sources of information, the following links will open in a new window. To come back to this page, simply close the new window.

Click here for more information from the National Office of the USDA Forest Service

Coconino Rural Environment Corps

• March 2007 Recruiting News Release
• Recruitment Flyer

Student Conservation Association

National Association of Service and Conservation Corps

American Conservation Experience (ACE)

National Public Lands Day - September 27, 2008

National Public Lands Day is the nation's largest hands-on volunteer effort to improve America's public lands.  It began in 1994 with three federal agencies and 700 volunteers. This past September 110,000 volunteers worked in 1,300 locations and in every state. This year eight federal agencies and many state and local lands are expected to participate in this annual day of caring for shared public lands.