Our Volunteers Are Making a Difference for the Planet
Build meaningful connections with visitors and nature
Help make Santa
Clara Valley a better place
Protect and restore natural lands for future generations to enjoy
Docent and Preserve Steward
If you haven’t met Terry yet, you are in for a treat. Her enthusiasm for nature and for storytelling makes her a talented docent and volunteer. Terry loves the Open Space Authority’s environmental educational programming -- “I have seen the impact, especially on children, that getting out into and learning about nature can have” -- and has been a volunteer since February 2020. Since then, Terry has been helping out as a docent (come hear some Scottish ghost stories!) and a Preserve Steward at our annual Perseids Meteor Shower and Coyote Ridge Public Access events.
Terry’s other passions are both travel and photography—she wields a telephoto lens to capture photos of wildlife. If you see her at a preserve, don’t forget to say hi!
Years of volunteering with us
Favorite Program
Favorite Open Space Preserve
As a volunteer for the Open Space Authority, you will help preserve and protect valuable natural resources for yourself and future generations. At the same time, you’ll get a chance to learn about the environment, meet interesting people, work hard, and have fun. Learn more about volunteer roles. You can also volunteer for roles on the Authority's committees.
Enjoy and Protect
Trail Patrol team members are agency ambassadors and information resources for visitors, and commit to patrolling the Authority’s open space preserves a minimum of once a month, on foot, bicycle or horseback.
Fun and Fairs
Community Outreach Volunteers represent the Authority at community festivals, nature or science themed fairs, and other public events.
Restore and Preserve
Land Steward volunteers assist Authority staff with trail maintenance, habitat restoration, fencing and cleanup projects.
Educate and Inspire
Docents share information about nature and the Authority's mission and work, leading groups on fun, educational programs and activities.
Learn and Manage
Trail Masters is a fun, hands-on, skills-based program designed to train volunteers to complete trail maintenance and field work alongside Authority staff
Trail Patrol, Docent, and Community Outreach roles are open to anyone 18 years of age and older. Youth aged 14-17 are welcome in the Land Stewards Program or for Internship and Special Projects with parental consent. Contact Gavin for more information.
Volunteer Handbook
