19 volunteers holding yellow road rakes stand smiling at the camera on green grass and a muddy trail, below them is a lush green valley with mountains in the distance

Volunteer

Get Involved, Make a Difference

Open Space Authority volunteers engage the public in the preservation and appreciation of open space. Our volunteers offer guided educational experiences, support stewardship projects and represent the Open Space Authority at community events. Volunteers invite community members to share in the Open Space Authority’s goals, values and mission through stewarding vibrant and sustainably managed open spaces. Our volunteer community is inclusive, welcoming and motivated to pass on this legacy of open space to future generations.

Volunteer Portal
4,000
hours of annual volunteer service
472
active volunteers
6
volunteer programs

Volunteer with us!

Learn more about our Volunteer Program, view upcoming opportunities and sign up to join the team on our Volunteer Portal.

Volunteer Portal

Volunteer Programs

A volunteer wearing a dark gray Open Space Authority shirt stands under a booth behind a table full of colorful papers and brochures, he is talking to a visitor standing on the other side of the table

Community Outreach

Community Outreach Volunteers welcome the public to the Open Space Authority’s work and mission by attending community festivals and public events throughout Santa Clara Valley. They raise awareness of the agency's mission, public education efforts and opportunities and help community members connect to the resources that we have to offer them.

A person wearing a navy blue shirt reaches out to touch a plant on the side of the trail, behind them is an OSA volunteer docent wearing a light blue shirt and tan hat.

Interpretive Docents

Interpretive Docents enjoy sharing their love of nature with others. They lead people on fun, informational hikes and receive special training on how to effectively lead groups. Interpretive Docent volunteers lead popular wildflower hikes at Máyyan ‘Ooyákma – Coyote Ridge Open Space Preserve each spring during wildflower season. Docents commit to participating in at least one program per quarter.

A group of volunteers wearing hats and yellow field gloves work in a field full of tall green invasive plants, holding field hoes to remove the plants

Land Stewards

Land Stewards provide helping hands to nature by assisting Open Space Authority staff with trail maintenance projects, habitat restoration and clean-up projects on open space lands. No prior experience or training is necessary for this role. Projects occur regularly on Saturdays, nearly year-round.

Volunteer wearing a bright orange vest stands behind a table under a pop-up booth and points out something on a map on the table to two visitors who are standing on the other side of the table

Preserve Stewards

Preserve Steward volunteers serve the public at open space preserves and outdoor events. These volunteers greet visitors, orient them to the opportunities available and help guests go out and come back safely. Preserve Steward volunteers play a vital role in the operations of Máyyan ‘Ooyákma – Coyote Ridge Open Space Preserve. 

Two people wearing wide-brimmed hats in the act of swinging field hoes downwards on a dirt trail, surrounded by green grass on a hillside overlooking a view.

Trail Masters

Trail Master volunteers complete trail maintenance and field work alongside Open Space Authority staff. Events take place year-round in all types of weather and are scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday weekly, and the third Saturday of every month. Trail Master volunteers must complete training for safe knowledge and use of power tools, and are expected to join at least one event per month. 

Two hikers wearing brown and tan clothing walk towards the camera on a dirt trail through a yellow grass field with oak trees and hills covered in trees in the background.

Trail Patrol

Trail Patrol Volunteers are ambassadors for the Open Space Authority that engage directly with preserve visitors. They share their passion for nature by sharing rules, guidelines and what each preserve has to offer. Trail Patrol volunteers submit observations from their patrols and report hazards to staff. 

Looking for a corporate stewardship event?

The Open Space Authority is deeply appreciative for our local corporate partners that help steward our managed lands. We can provide one-off stewardship events or recurring opportunities depending on your desires and our needs. Please complete our Stewardship Request Form to get in touch with us.

Stewardship Request Form

“I have learned so much, from tending to and creating trails, to volunteering as trail patrol and preserve steward. There is one word that comes to mind and sums up my time spent with this program: Pride. It gives me so much pride to work with such awesome people, people who love the outdoors and the trails as much as I do. The learning never stops, and being able to give back to the preservation of our outdoor world is very fulfilling."

Natalia Anderson , Volunteer