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
Trail Patrol, Trail Masters, Committee Member
Bill is a volunteer who has worn many hats. He has served as a Trail Patrol volunteer and a member of the Measure Q Committee Expenditure Oversight for many years. Now he serves primarily as a Trail Master volunteer to improve open space so that the public can safely access and enjoy them. Bill cites many reasons for volunteering his time with the Open Space Authority. He likes being outside, enjoys the company of Authority employees and other volunteers, and appreciates learning about the ecology of the Santa Clara Valley. For many years, he has traveled, trekked, hiked, and climbed in remote areas of North, Central, and South America. Through these experiences he developed a devotion to helping to protect open space by providing access to the public. “By helping to maintain Authority properties, I am helping to strengthen their legal status, as more of the public will be able to experience them,” says Bill. We could not agree more and are proud to have someone like him on our team!
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
