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
Land Steward
Encouraged by a friend to volunteer locally, Ryan discovered Open Space Authority volunteer events through Twitter and has been a dedicated member of the team ever since!
"Volunteer events have allowed me to take a purposeful break from my laptop, my stay-at-home remote work, and enjoy being productive in the outdoors.”
His favorite program is Land Stewards Fourth Saturdays at Sierra Vista’s Furtado Barn Restoration Area, which is the first event he ever attended.
“It's been great to learn more about the site with each new restoration activity... I feel like I'm always learning something new regarding ecological restoration, from invasive plant identification and removal, to native planting, a bit about the history of the area, to various techniques used to restore the land.”
When not volunteering, Ryan enjoys reading, hiking, and camping.
Years of volunteering with us
Favorite Program
Favorite 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
