Understand the process and plan future USFS and BLM volunteer projects now!
Visit the calendar to see upcoming trainings, partner projects, and ways you can help out!
Not sure how to report your accomplishments. Here is what we need.
Your interests and experiences can help with almost any aspect of the agencies' work. Volunteering in the Upper Arkansas Valley provides a great opportunity to give back to one's community; improve public lands; learn about natural and cultural conservation; and meet new people and form friendships.
The Upper Arkansas Valley Public Lands Volunteer and Partnership Program is hosted through a partnership agreement with Colorado Mountain Club (CMC), Bureau of Land Management Royal Gorge Field Office, and the Forest Service Salida and Leadville Ranger Districts, in Colorado.
About the BLM: The Bureau of Land Management works to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. It administers more public land—over 245 million surface acres—than any other federal agency in the United States. Most of this land is located in the 12 western states, including Alaska.
About the USFS: The US Forest Service would be unable to meet many of its critical priorities without the involvement of tens of thousands of volunteers annually. The Volunteers play a critical role in helping the Forest Service focus on “caring for the land and serving people.” The Forest Service Volunteerism became a formal and organized program component of the Forest Service with the passing of the Volunteers in the National Forests Act of 1972.
About the CMC: The Colorado Mountain Club has been delivering conservation, education and recreational opportunities to the Colorado public since 1912. The CMC acts as a gateway to the mountains for novices and experts alike, offering an array of year-round activities, events and schools centered on outdoor recreation. The Club connects thousands of adventure-loving mountaineers and teaches the skills to safely and respectfully maximize living in an outdoor playground.
About the Arkansas Valley: The "Ark Valley" is home to a vast array of public lands where agency managers work closely with partner groups and volunteers to protect and enhance natural resources and recreation opportunities. The public land contains 14,000-foot mountain peaks, multi-use trails, wildlife, and over 30 well-organized partner groups eager to steward these incredible landscapes.
There are more than 2.8 million volunteers who, since 1972, have provided more than 123 million hours of service that is valued at about $1.4 billion. Volunteering provides you a great opportunity to:
Volunteers may also earn an America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Pass and be recognized nationally or locally.
Visit the US Forest Service Volunteers page to learn more.
The BLM values the thousands of volunteers who offer their time, skills and service to help care for the nation’s natural and cultural resources. Volunteers contribute to many BLM program areas, including recreation, wild horses and burros, cultural/historical resources, and environmental education/interpretation.
In 2016, the BLM volunteer program worked with more than 27,000 volunteers, with their contributions nearing 1 million hours, or the equivalent of 542 work years. This service has an estimated value of roughly $22.5 million to the BLM.
Visit the Bureau of Land Management Volunteers page to learn more.
Connor Maher
Volunteer & Partnership Coordinator
Upper Arkansas Valley USFS/BLM Lands
(719) 626-1084
USFS Salida Ranger District
5575 Cleora Road, Salida, CO 81201
719-539-3951
USFS Leadville Ranger District
810 Front Street, Leadville, CO 80461
719-486-0749
BLM Royal Gorge Field Office
3028 E. Main St, Canon City, CO 81212
719-269-8500
The Upper Arkansas Valley Public Lands Volunteer and Partnership Program is hosted through a partnership agreement between the Colorado Mountain Club (CMC), Bureau of Land Management and the US Forest Service. All Rights Reserved.