California state parks provide a wide range of natural settings where you can enjoy hiking, biking, water sports and camping. Humboldt Redwoods State Park offers more than 100 miles of trails through scenic forests. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park provides trails through the California desert. Other parks include lakes, mountains, rivers and oceanfront locations. Volunteering in the California state park system allows you to play a role in preserving park land and providing recreational opportunities.
Types
You can choose volunteer roles that last from one day to several months. Park volunteers lead hikes, clear trails and maintain park facilities. Volunteers who have an interest in teaching people about the plant and animal life within a state park lead nature walks. Some volunteers dress in costume and exercise their dramatic talents to bring history and unfamiliar cultures to life for school groups and other young people. If you enjoy gardening, you may be able to help restore habitats and care for native plants. Beach cleanup and trail construction projects also depend on volunteers.
Hosts
Volunteer hosts receive a free campsite during their one- to six-month commitments. Hosts assist with camp maintenance and provide information to visitors. More than 100 California state parks offer camp and park host positions. Some volunteers live in rustic campgrounds and others in their own RVs. Angel Island State Park needs volunteers with live-aboard boats. Each park has specific requirements for hosts, but most expect about 20 hours of volunteer work per week. Applicants should apply directly to the park that interests them.
Requirements
A strong commitment to serving is a key quality for all volunteers. Other qualifications vary, depending on the role you choose. Some volunteer positions have specific prerequisites such as the ability to lift 25 lbs. or the skills to repair park vehicles. Volunteer safety patrols require experience riding a horse or bicycle, operating a boat or driving an off-road vehicle. Positions that involve heavy physical labor may require a medical clearance and volunteers in some sensitive positions must submit to a criminal background check.
Application
While information is available from the California State Parks headquarters in Sacramento, applicants are encouraged to contact the individual park where they would like to volunteer. The staff at each park is familiar with the needs and requirements of their facility. Management of the over 270 state parks is divided into 25 districts. Each district office has a volunteer coordinator who can help you choose a location and role that fits your personality and talents. You can contact the volunteer coordinator by phone or email.
The Facts
According to a fact sheet provided by California State Parks, more than 15,000 volunteers worked in state parks during the 2007-2008 fiscal year. This compares to fewer than 2,700 full-time paid staffers. Almost 80 million park visits took place during that year. In the 2003-2004 fiscal year--the last year for which data is available--volunteers who assisted with nature walks, hikes and similar programs served more than 3 million visitors, including more than 500,000 children. Volunteers also had a major role in maintaining the 1.3 million acres that are included in the park system.
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