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
Community Outreach, Trail Patrol, Docent
Ric knew he wanted to give back to the community when he retired in 2005, so he started volunteering with two organizations that he knew about then, Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center (WERC) and Habitat for Humanity. A few years later, Ric discovered the Open Space Authority, and he became committed to the mission to keep open spaces open and available to the public. Since Ric began volunteering with the Open Space Authority in 2013, he has tried to be involved with all the Authority volunteer programs! As a triple-threat volunteer, he participates in Trail Patrol, Community Outreach, and as a Docent. Ric’s hobbies include hiking, biking, photography, and learning about science
Year 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.
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
