Volunteer For Open Space and Mountain Parks!
Over one thousand dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers contribute thousands of hours of service every year to help care for our Open Space and Mountain Parks lands. Come join us!
Current volunteers and staff coordinators: Log in here to enter hours
Click here to download volunteer manuals, forms and other volunteer resources.
Read the 2008 Volunteer Report
Visit the E-Learning Hub for resources about plants, animals and history of the Boulder area.
Trail Guides - Now recruiting!
Hardy volunteers travel Open Space and Mountain Parks trails enhancing visitors’ experiences. They provide information on area features, natural and cultural history, seasonal changes and management, and have kept an eye on the land since 1991! Click here for the Program Description and to learn more before applying.
This Trail Guides Online Application is active during the recruitment period.
Project Spotlight
Check out before and after photos from the recent South Boulder Creek Restoration Project.
On-going OSMP Volunteer Programs:
Native Xeriscape Gardens
Do you love to garden, get your hands dirty, watch plants grow and flower? OSMP maintains the Ann Armstrong flower garden at the Chautauqua Ranger Cottage that showcases Boulder County's native wildflowers, shrubs and trees. Help keep the garden looking great and learn how you can grow these same water-wise, hardy and beautiful plants at home. Xeriscape does not mean "zero-scape!" Volunteers can take home seeds and some spare plants. Click here for a Program Description to learn more before applying.
Follow this link to the Native Garden Volunteers Application.
Raptor Monitors FULL for 2010
Raptor Monitors help monitor raptor nest sites along the Front Range. Volunteers have the unique opportunity to witness the courtship, nest development and fledging of local birds of prey. Applicants should be skilled at bird identification, and able to make a four-hour commitment each week. Hiking to the nest sites can be strenuous. A few sites can be observed from a car. Nests are typically occupied from February until late July. Training is held in late January. Click here for the Program Description and to learn more before applying.
This Raptor Monitor Online Application is active during recruitment in late fall.
2009 Raptor Monitors and staff
Volunteer Naturalists 
FULL for 2010
Volunteers provide interpretive nature hikes for children throughout the year. Training is every Tuesday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., February 16 through April 13 (except March 23rd). Click here for the Program Description and to learn more before applying. Applications were due Friday, January 8, 2010.
This Volunteer Naturalist Online Application is active during the recruitment period.
Resource Restoration: Weed Warriors Needed!
Join OSMP staff to assist in the removal of an A-listed Noxious weed, Mediterranean Sage. Learn about the beauties of the prairie while contributing to ongoing efforts to keep our natural areas free from the pressures of this invasive plant.
Openings are available now for many days through June, working alongside staff in the field. We appreciate your help whether its for a half day or more! Follow this link to learn more and sign up.
Resource Restoration: Sign Care Project
Open Space & Mountain Parks lands are visited by approximately 4.5 million visitors each year. We want our visitors to have a safe and satisfying experience - and you can help! Sign Care Project volunteers will help staff care for the "way-finding" signs which guide visitors through the system. Volunteers will travel trails on their own time to sand, paint and replace "way-finding" signs, and may also provide visitors with information based on the level of their training. Please follow this link to apply for this assignment.
The Stewardship Program - 
Partnering to Care for Places you Love!
Stewardship provides opportunities for individuals, families, businesses and organizations to learn about and care for the land through shared work in the field. We provide orientation, education, and a beautiful work environment. You provide the vital energy which helps us to complete so many important projects. Click here for the Program Description.
Online applications are active whenever opportunities are available. You may:
Mandated Community Service Stewards
These stewards contribute court-ordered community service time, helping staff with a variety of tasks. For further information please call Craig Sommers 303-413-7601.
Hosts
Friendly volunteers greet the public and provide information at community events, trailheads and facilities, including Flagstaff Summit Nature Center (open weekends, June - fall, staffed 100% by volunteers) and Chautauqua Ranger Cottage. Training is provided periodically or for specific events. Click here for the Program Description to learn more before applying.
This Host Online Application is active during recruitment periods.
Bat Monitors FULL FOR 2009
Holy Chiroptera! Bat monitors head out at dusk to ponds and bat roost sites, performing auditory and visual bat population counts June through September. Information gathered aids resource conservation decisions. Click here for the Program Description to learn more before applying.
This Bat Monitor Online Application is active during recruitment periods.
Hayfield Monitors
Volunteers familiar with the birds of OSMP grasslands can play a vital part in protecting sensitive species! They may survey hayfields at dawn or dusk, May - June, providing information on nesting birds of concern. This data helps staff plan for protection of breeding birds by coordinating mowing schedules. Click here for the Program Description and to learn more before applying.
This Hayfield Monitor Online Application is active during recruitment periods.
Herbarium Group
Dedicated volunteers collect and accession plant specimens found on OSMP lands, building the collection since 1976, as well as monitoring rare plants and weeds. They meet year round, in the lab or field, depending on weather. Click here for the Program Description and to learn more before applying.
This Herbarium Online Application is active during recruitment periods.
Open Space Board of Trustees
Volunteers appointed by City Council research issues, advise on policy, and recommend purchases of properties. This assignment requires application through the City of Boulder. Call 303-441-3440 for more information.
Individual volunteer assignments and internships
The volunteers help staff with administration and research in resource conservation, education and outreach, planning and volunteer services. Contact the Volunteer Services Office at 720-564-2013 for further information.
Other information:
Visit the E-Learning Hub for resources about plants, animals and history of the Boulder area.
If you've explored our current programs and have ideas for new ones, please give us a call at 720-564-2013.
Last Updated on Wednesday, 13 January 2010 12:55
Open Space & Mtn Parks