Opportunities From: Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado

Where You’ll Be: 

You’ll be working at Jackson Lake State Park, home to Colorado’s first Dark Sky Park. The park supports a wide range of wildlife and recreation, including camping, boating, fishing, wildlife viewing, and stargazing. The project site is near the marina area, where the new Dark Sky Reflection Courtyard will create a designated, safer space for nighttime use and education while supporting ongoing dark sky stewardship. 

Nearest town: Orchard

The specific location will be shared with all registered volunteers 2 weeks before the project.

What You’ll Do: 

Volunteers will help build a Dark Sky Reflection Courtyard, creating a welcoming space for stargazing and nighttime education. Tasks may include removing fencing from an old storage yard, laying a new foundation, and upgrading the existing trail to the courtyard to improve visitor access. This is a single day project, but volunteers are welcome to stay and enjoy camping and educational activities that make use of the new courtyard.

Please Note: Camping will be pre-reserved by VOC, however, we will not be providing meals like we typically do on overnight projects. 

Why It Matters: 

Jackson Lake’s designation as Colorado’s first International Dark Sky Park has drawn a growing number of stargazers, especially during events like auroras, meteor showers, and planetary alignments. Without a designated viewing space, visitors currently lack a safe place to gather or learn about dark sky conservation. By creating a dedicated stargazing courtyard, this project will support safe nighttime recreation and help educate the public on the importance of reducing light pollution. Volunteers will play a key role in making the night sky more accessible for everyone. 

Eligibility Requirements: 

Ages14+  

Youth under 16 must be accompanied by an adult aged 21 or older. 

Project Difficulty: 

This project is considered easy; please check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details. 

Physical considerations include bending over, picking objects up, moving rocks, carrying tools, swinging heavy tools, digging, and stretching.

Access Factors:  

Vehicle Access: No vehicle restrictions – 2WD accessible  

Other Notes: Cell service may be spotty in this area.

Join us in reducing our carbon footprint by carpooling! Click here to sign up for the carpool (please do this after registering for the project).

Where You’ll Be: 

The McIntire Ranch is a historic archaeological site located in the Conejos Valley, featuring the remains of the ranch headquarters established around 1880 by Albert and Florence McIntire. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008, the McIntire Ranch holds significance in the social history of the region. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) acquired the site in 1993 to preserve its abundant wildlife habitat. 

Due to very low visitation, the area has become a sanctuary for wildlife and a great spot for birdwatching. Volunteers will camp in a dry meadow near the worksite, surrounded by views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range and just a short walk from the Conejos River, which offers excellent fishing for both trout and pike.

Nearest town: Sanford, CO 81151

The specific location will be shared with all registered volunteers 2 weeks before the project.

What You’ll Do: 

Volunteers will contribute to a portion of this multi-stage rehabilitation project, focused on restoring the area’s natural ecosystem and preserving the historic ranch. Working alongside BLM and CPW biologists, you’ll harvest and plant native willows and reseed stream banks to restore habitat for native fish species like the Rio Grande Chub and Rio Grande Sucker.  

Temporary fencing may also be constructed to protect the restoration areas from beaver and big game while plants establish. 

After the workday, BLM biologist Taylor, will share the history and importance of the McIntire Ranch during a campfire talk.

Food and Camping:

Enjoy breakfast and lunch on Saturday and Sunday, with dinner on Saturday. Bring your own dinner on Friday night, and enough snacks for the weekend.  

Free campsites are available on Friday and Saturday nights, and volunteers are encouraged to arrive at base camp before 8 pm on Friday. 

Support This Project as a Crew Chef Helper! 

We provide full meals on our overnight projects to ensure volunteers are well-fed and ready for a day of volunteering, and we could use your help to make it happen! 

View this document to learn more about how to support and sign up.

Why It Matters: 

This project addresses long-standing impacts at the historic McIntire Ranch while restoring critical habitat for native wildlife. Planting willows and reseeding stream banks will reduce erosion, improve stream health, and support fish species such as the Rio Grande Chub and Rio Grande Sucker. The work also benefits the endangered Southwestern Willow Flycatcher by improving riparian habitat.

What’s to Love About This Project?

Opportunities to see wildlife, enjoy bird watching, and fishing access Learning directly from agency staff and biologistsAn exclusive camping opportunity with wide open views, the chance to unplug, and focus on meaningful workEligibility Requirements: 

Ages 14+

For overnight projects, all youth under 18 must be accompanied by an adult aged 21 or older.

Project Difficulty: 

This project is considered easy; please check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details.

Physical Considerations: This project will include work in sun-exposed areas and on uneven terrain, performing tasks such as using loppers to harvest willows, bending down, digging, moving soil and moderate lifting. Other tasks may include light tool use for temporary fence building. 

Be prepared for variable weather and chilly evening camping during this early season project.

Access Factors: 

Vehicle Access: 2WD dirt road, may require AWD in wet conditions. 

Other Notes: Tent camping: OK. Car and Van camping: OK. NO large vehicles or tow-behinds. This project will be at 7500 ft. elevation. Portable toilets and potable water will be available at camp.

Join us in reducing our carbon footprint by carpooling! Click here to sign up for the carpool (please do this after registering for the project).

Where You’ll Be:

McCloskey Natural Area is shaped by Sheep Creek, a small but vital waterway that provides habitat for wildlife such as coyotes, songbirds, and the Western Tiger Salamander, Colorado’s state amphibian. Volunteers will work near the trailhead, which provides connection to both the paved, accessible Sheep Draw Trail and the soft-surface Firefly Trail—named for the native fireflies visible here on summer evenings. This area blends creekside habitat, grassland, and community trail corridors that support both wildlife and recreation.

What You’ll Do:

Volunteers will help rehabilitate eroded sections of trail by building timber box steps, installing grade dips to improve drainage, and reinforcing trail edges to stabilize problem areas. Work will focus on improving trail safety, durability, and accessibility, including supporting an ADA-accessible section.

Why It Matters:

Unmanaged erosion can damage trails, degrade nearby habitat, and make routes unsafe or inaccessible for visitors. By improving drainage and stabilizing the trail, this project helps protect Sheep Creek’s sensitive riparian corridor while maintaining safe, inclusive access for the community. Thoughtful trail design reduces long-term maintenance needs and ensures this natural area can be enjoyed sustainably by both people and wildlife.

Eligibility Requirements:

Ages 14+

Youth under 16 must be accompanied by an adult aged 21 or older.

Project Difficulty:

This project is considered moderate; please check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details.

The following are general physical considerations for this type of work. Some or all may apply: You can expect to bend over, pick objects up, move timbers, carry tools, swing heavy tools, dig, and stretch. Repetitive bending, lifting, and walking. You’ll be working around a 6.5-7-hour day which requires some physical stamina, but you’ll always be encouraged to take breaks as needed.

Access Factors:

Vehicle Access: No vehicle restrictions – 2WD accessible

Other Notes: Cell service may be spotty in this area.

Where you'll be:

Join Loveland Youth Gardeners in helping to prep their garden beds for the season! Helping this small non-profit team wake up the farm for the Spring will allow them to focus more efforts on their main mission: teaching kids outdoors. A variety of tasks are available to make this project family-friendly and ADA accessible.

What you'll do:

Volunteers will help prepare garden beds for the season ahead. Tasks may include planting, turning compost, transplanting seedlings, tilling soil, and other general garden prep work. There will be a range of activities available, so volunteers can choose what feels comfortable for them.

Please bring your own lunch for the day.

Why it's important:

This farm is the primary site for Loveland Youth Gardeners’ programming, where they provide nature-based education and horticultural therapy for about 150 youth each year.

The space also supports community events and projects, welcoming nearly 1,000 additional visitors annually.

Much of the produce grown here is shared with local community organizations, helping address food insecurity in the Loveland area. By volunteering on this project, you are supporting youth education, community well-being, and local food access all in one place.

Eligibility Requirements:

Ages 10+

All youth under 16 must be accompanied by an adult 21 years or older.

Project Difficulty:

This project is considered easy. Please check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details

Access Factors:

Vehicle Access: 2WD accessible

Other Notes: Volunteers will walk across a short, flat field (approx. 2 minutes) from the parking area to the farm

If you enjoy urban gardening/farm projects, you can view similar projects here.

Where You’ll Be: 

You’ll be exploring a variety of natural areas and open spaces throughout Greeley, CO, where a mix of prairie, riparian corridors, and garden habitats support a diverse community of native pollinators. Pollinators provide essential ecological benefits at both local and global scales, and understanding which species are present (or missing!)—and the plants they rely on—helps us assess ecosystem health from the ground up. As you move through these spaces, you’ll get to observe pollinators in their natural context and learn how local plant–pollinator relationships can guide community science and land management decisions. 

What You’ll Do: 

On the training day, you will learn how to identify common pollinators and the plants they depend on, with practical in-field techniques guided by a Butterfly Pavilion protocol. After the training, volunteers will participate independently by completing brief surveys at assigned sites. Surveys occur once per month for the remainder of the monitoring season, ensuring consistent data collection.  Training Date: Sunday, May 31st  Monitoring Duration: May – November 

Why It Matters: 

Pollinators are foundational to the health of Colorado’s ecosystems. Information collected through this program helps land managers and decision-makers understand which species are present, what pressures they face, and how best to support and interact with them. 

Eligibility Requirements: 

Ages xx+: 16+ 

Project Difficulty: 

This project is considered easy; please check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details.  Physical Considerations: Exposure to sun and outdoor elements, Exposure to insects (bees, wasps), Potential for long hike. While this is not a strenuous project, volunteers should be prepared for walking on uneven terrain, through high grass, past thorny plants, and in possibly muddy conditions.   

Access Factors:   

Vehicle Access:  No vehicle restrictions – 2WD accessible

Where You'll Be: 

The BLM’s Pronghorn trail system, totaling 9.5 miles of purpose-built single track trails, was constructed in the summer of 2016. The natural surface trails are rated intermediate to advanced for mountain bikers but are also frequented by hikers and equestrians.

For visitors, this trail has long, mostly gradual climbs and descents. The area has a mix of rock features, canyons, and big vistas of San Francisco Creek, the San Luis Valley and the Sangre de Cristo Mountain range. Designed as one large loop, the climbs and descents are longer than many in the area and also has some excellent lower watershed features. Mule deer, elk, falcons, hawks, and other bird species, desert flowers, grasses and reptiles inhabit the area.

Nearest town: Del Norte

The exact location will be shared with all registered volunteers 2 weeks before the project. 

What You'll Do: 

Join fellow volunteers for a weekend in the San Luis Valley, giving some love to one of the valley's favorite, local trail systems.

The work will include general maintenance tasks such as tread, corridor and drainage work. This trail is especially popular with mountain bikers, and some sections will also include handcrafting new mountain bike features! Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced trail builder, there’s a role for everyone. Expect about a one mile hike to reach the work site.

Enjoy breakfast and lunch on Saturday and Sunday, with dinner on Saturday. Bring your own dinner on Friday night, and enough snacks for the weekend.  

Free campsites are available on Friday and Saturday nights, and volunteers are encouraged to arrive at base camp before 8 pm on Friday. 

Support This Project as a Crew Chef Helper! 

We provide full meals on our overnight projects to ensure volunteers are well-fed and ready for a day of volunteering and we could use your help to make it happen! 

View this document to learn more about how to support and sign up.

Why it Matters: 

Trails need maintenance once they are constructed to minimize soil erosion, to keep obstacles off them, and to keep them well defined so users can easily follow them. Even sustainably built trails need maintenance over time.

With limited resources from land management agencies, volunteers and local organizations are tasked with maintaining the local trail systems we love so dearly. This work will ensure the Pronghorn trail system continues to provide the intended user experience while keeping people, wildlife, and habitats safe.

What's to love about this project? 

There will be a fun mix trail maintenance and hands on feature building, including mountain bike specific work The chance to hike, run, or ride the trail system before or after the project - be sure to bring your hiking gear or mountain bike!  A great way to celebrate National Trails Day by giving back to a hometown trail system people love After registering, you are encouraged to pledge your volunteer day on the National Trails Day website for a chance to win premium gear prize packsEligibility Requirements:  

Ages: 16+  

For overnight projects, all youth under 18 must be accompanied by an adult aged 21 or older.

Project Difficulty:  

This project is considered moderate to difficult; please check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details.

Physical Considerations: moderate lifting and tool use; digging, shoveling, moving soil and rocks; repetitive bending, lifting, and walking; may require hiking to access work site while carrying tools; you can expect to bend over, pick objects up, move rocks, carry tools, swing heavy tools, dig, and stretch.

Accessibility Factors:  

Vehicle Access: 2WD accessible  

Other Notes: Tent camping OK. Car and Van camping OK. Large vehicles or tow-behinds may be accommodated, please contact Katie (katie@voc.org) to confirm availability. This project is at 8200 ft. elevation. Portable toilets and potable water will be available at camp.

Join us in reducing our carbon footprint by carpooling! 

Click here to sign up for the carpool (please do this after registering for the project).

If you enjoy trail construction projects, you can view similar projects here.

Where You’ll Be: 

Spanning nearly 500,000 acres in southwest Colorado, the Weminuche Wilderness is three-quarters the size of Rhode Island and the state's largest Wilderness area. On this project, you'll be camped out in the front country of the Rio Grande National Forest near the Rio Grande Reservoir, and will hike into the neighboring Wilderness each day to complete project work.

The Weminuche (pronounced wim-in-ooch) spans the Continental Divide, North America's geological backbone, with its headwaters diverted to both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Eolus, Sunlight, and Windom peaks rise above 14,000 feet, while many others reach above 13,000 feet. With an average elevation of 10,000 feet above sea level, the Weminuche is rugged country, but its ecosystems are fragile. Volunteers will spend the weekend enjoying the breathtaking beauty of some of Colorado’s most picturesque alpine views during this project.

Nearest town: Creed, CO 81130

The specific location will be shared with all registered volunteers 2 weeks before the project.

What You’ll Do: 

Volunteers will be in a group of 3-4 sawyers and will spend each day hiking the trails into the Weminuche Wilderness and logging out the trail on the way back down to basecamp.

Why crosscut saws?

Crosscut saws are a traditional tool that carry a long history of work on the land in our country, and have made a modern resurgence as the tool of choice for clearing fallen trees on trails in federally designated Wilderness areas, where workers cannot use mechanized equipment.

But it's not just about policy: using traditional tools allows us the opportunity to experience the quiet, solitude and characteristics of more remote areas, as well as become attuned to the characteristics of trees themselves.

Crosscut sawyers often talk about how they enjoy the experience of hearing the fibers of trees pop and crack as cuts are made. We welcome you to give crosscut sawing a try, not only to experience for yourself the use of a fun and powerful traditional tool, but to also allow yourself to spend time in nature in a way that perhaps you have not before. No experience is necessary to attend this project as a volunteer, a certified sawyer will be leading each cutting group.

Enjoy breakfast and lunch on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with dinner on Friday and Saturday. Bring your own dinner on Thursday night, and enough snacks for the weekend.  

Free campsites are available Thursday - Sunday nights, and volunteers are encouraged to arrive at base camp before 8 pm on Thursday if participating in the work on Friday. 

Support This Project as a Crew Chef Helper! 

We provide full meals on our overnight projects to ensure volunteers are well-fed and ready for a day of volunteering, and we could use your help to make it happen! 

View this document to learn more about how to support and sign up.

Why It Matters: 

Wilderness trails on the Rio Grande National Forest are becoming increasingly inaccessible (and dangerous) to hikers and equestrians due to the falling dead Engelmann spruce trees in the area. The U.S. Forest Service cannot keep up with the demand for keeping the trails clear, making volunteers an increasingly critical asset to assist the Forest Service in keeping these Wilderness trails open and accessible to the public.

Eligibility Requirements:  Ages 18+ 

On this project, we need six B-certified crosscut sawyers. A-certified and non-certified volunteers will be able to cut under the supervision of B Sawyers. If you are certified, please include this in the comments of your registration.

Interested in getting certified? Visit our Training Calendar to view upcoming training opportunities.

Project Difficulty: 

This project is considered difficult; please check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details.

Physical Considerations: This project will include hiking 4-5 miles each day up steep grade trails, at high elevation. Volunteers will need to carry all their supplies for the day and potentially a small tool for their group.  Working in the wilderness isn’t easy! Using a crosscut saw requires repeated cross body arm movement, often in a kneeling position. work will also include rolling or lifting heavy tree sections to clear them off the trail.

Access Factors: 

Vehicle Access: 2WD dirt road.

Other Notes: Tent camping OK. Car and Van camping OK. Large vehicles or tow-behinds may be accommodated, please contact Katie (katie@voc.org) to confirm availability. This project will be at 9500 ft. elevation. Vault toilets and potable water will be available at camp.

Join us in reducing our carbon footprint by carpooling!  Click here to sign up for the carpool (please do this after registering for the project).

Where You’ll Be: 

Poncha Pass splits the Rio Grande River and Arkansas River Watersheds in the northern part of the San Luis Valley. From atop the summit of Poncha Pass, you can take in breathtaking views of the Sangre de Cristo and Sawatch mountains. The northern part of the San Luis Valley is well known for its access to crowd-less wild places, natural hot springs and of course, the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. 

This project is hosted in partnership with the BLM San Luis Valley Field Office, and volunteers will camp on BLM land at the base of the stunning Sangre de Cristo mountains. This year, we will work in a new location outside of Villa Grove, building on the success of similar efforts in previous years.

Nearest town: Villa Grove, CO 81155 

The specific location will be shared with all registered volunteers 2 weeks before the project.

What You’ll Do: 

Volunteers will construct Zeedyk structures (rock dams, zuni bowls, media lunas etc.) to improve habitat conditions and breeding grounds for the Gunnison sage-grouse population in the area. Zeedyk structures are low profile, hand-built treatments made of rock intended to restore hydrologic and ecological function of wet meadows and small streams impacted by head-cutting, gully erosion, and channel incision. The structures help to slow and disperse water, dissipate energy, capture sediment, and increase soil moisture, thereby promoting mesic and wetland plant species expansion that prevents further degradation and fosters channel recovery.

For those seeking less physically demanding tasks, there will be opportunities to tag fences with visibility markers to prevent wildlife collision and entanglement. 

After the workday, BLM biologist Taylor, will share the history, biology and importance of Gunnison sage-grouse in Colorado during a campfire talk.

Food and Camping:

Enjoy breakfast and lunch on Saturday and Sunday, with dinner on Saturday. Bring your own dinner on Friday night, and enough snacks for the weekend.  

Free campsites are available on Friday and Saturday nights, and volunteers are encouraged to arrive at base camp before 8 pm on Friday. 

Support This Project as a Crew Chef Helper! 

We provide full meals on our overnight projects to ensure volunteers are well-fed and ready for a day of volunteering, and we could use your help to make it happen! 

View this document to learn more about how to support and sign up.

Why It Matters: 

The Gunnison sage-grouse is listed as a threatened species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, meaning it is likely to become endanger in the foreseeable future. The Poncha Pass population of Gunnison sage-grouse is an isolated, satellite population, established in the 1970s through transplantation from the Gunnison Basin. These incredible, fascinating birds face growing threats from habitat fragmentation, climate change and increased off-highway vehicle activity on BLM lands. Population numbers have fluctuated and require intensive conservation efforts to support the protection of this population. This project contributes to that mission, aiming to restore and improve riparian and mesic habitat critical to the Gunnison sage-grouse.

Eligibility Requirements: 

Ages 16+ 

For overnight projects, all youth under 18 must be accompanied by an adult aged 21 or older. 

Project Difficulty: 

This project is considered moderate to difficult; please check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details.

Physical Considerations: The project work will include lifting, carrying, and placing heavy rocks, bending down and kneeling on the ground, digging in the dirt, carrying tools, and walking across steep terrain while carrying rocks. There will also be tasks like walking along wildlife fences and placing tags periodically on the fence.

Access Factors: 

Vehicle Access: 2WD vehicles can access the campsite, but 4WD vehicles will be required for carpooling to the worksite. 

Other Notes: Tent camping OK. Car and Van camping OK. Large vehicles or tow-behinds OK. This project will be at 8800 ft. elevation. Portable toilets and potable water will be available at camp.

Where You’ll Be: 

This multi-year volunteer effort takes place in the foothills of the San Juan Mountains on public lands near South Fork and Del Norte in Colorado’s San Luis Valley. The valley includes high-elevation wetlands, shrublands, and forests that support a wide range of wildlife, including sandhill cranes, bald eagles, elk, mule deer, coyotes, and beaver. Moose and wolves have also been documented in the area.

Nearest Town: South Fork, CO 81154

The exact project location will be shared with registered volunteers two weeks before the project.

What You'll Do:

Across the western United States, barbed wire fences are widely used to manage livestock, but they can create dangerous barriers for migrating wildlife such as elk and deer. This multi-phase project aims to reduce those impacts and improve wildlife movement through key winter range areas.

This year’s volunteer project focuses on Phase 2: Fence Surveys and Prioritization.

Volunteers will work in teams to survey existing fence lines and identify sections that pose the greatest barriers to wildlife movement. Using the Survey123 mobile app, teams will map fence segments and record details such as fence type, condition, wire height, sharp corners, flagging, smooth or barbed top wires, and the height of the bottom wire.

Volunteers will also document signs of wildlife, including tracks, trails, or direct sightings of animals.

At the end of the workday, Wildlands Network’s Western Program Director will share more about the organization’s work and its conservation efforts in the San Luis Valley.

Project Phases Overview:

Phase 1: Pre-field planning and logistics: This will involve calculating fence segment lengths, identifying road access for each fence segment, parking areas, and other logistics for field operations.  Phase 2: Fence surveys and prioritization (this project) Phase 3: Camera monitoring before and after fencing adjustments: Once we have identified the fence segments to be modified or removed using volunteer surveys, we will deploy 45 remote trail cameras along select fence lines for a migration season before and after the treatment.Phase 4: Fence modification and removal projects in 2027: Two additional volunteer projects will be hosted in 2027 where we will complete the modification and removals to the identified 15 miles of fence. Phase 5: Data processing and analysis: All photographs collected from trail cameras will be processed to analyze the effectiveness of the project and compare outcomes with pre-work documentation.Food and Camping:

Enjoy breakfast and lunch on Saturday and Sunday, with dinner on Saturday. Bring your own dinner on Friday night, and enough snacks for the weekend.  

Free campsites are available on Friday and Saturday nights, and volunteers are encouraged to arrive at base camp before 8 pm on Friday. 

Support This Project as a Crew Chef Helper! 

We provide full meals on our overnight projects to ensure volunteers are well-fed and ready for a day of volunteering — and we could use your help to make it happen! 

View this document to learn more about how to support and sign up.

Why It Matters: 

This project is a collaboration with Wildlands Network, an international nonprofit working to reconnect and restore wildlife movement across North America.

Each year, large herds migrate between summer and winter ranges in the San Luis Valley. Fences can disrupt these essential movements, increasing injury and mortality for wildlife. Fence improvements such as raising bottom wires, lowering top wires, and replacing barbed wire with smooth wire allow animals to cross more safely while still meeting land management needs.

The data collected during this project will help prioritize future fence modifications and removals, directly supporting wildlife migration in the region.

Eligibility Requirements: 

Ages 16+ 

For overnight projects, all youth under 18 must be accompanied by an adult aged 21 or older. 

Project Difficulty: 

This project is considered moderate; please check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details.

Physical Considerations: This project will include hiking 3-5 miles on uneven surfaces while using a mobile phone to complete surveys.

Access Factors: 

Vehicle Access: 2WD vehicles can access the campsite, but 4WD vehicles may be necessary to carpool to the worksites.

Other Notes: Tent camping OK. Car and Van camping OK. Large vehicles or tow-behinds OK. This project will be at 8400 ft. elevation. Portable toilets and potable water will be available at camp.

Where You’ll Be: 

Spend a long weekend camped in the backcountry of the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness in the San Luis Valley.

This 220,803-acre wilderness was designated by Congress in 1993 and is managed entirely within Colorado by the Forest Service and National Park Service. It borders the Great Sand Dunes Wilderness to the west.

Unlike most of Colorado’s mountain ranges, the Sangres were uplifted suddenly in massive blocks, creating steep, dramatic terrain. Four fourteeners rise from the heart of the wilderness, including Crestone Needle at 14,197 feet, often considered one of the state’s most challenging peaks. Three more fourteeners stand just south of the boundary. Snowmelt feeds creeks and alpine lakes throughout the area, supporting forests of oak, aspen, and spruce. The long, narrow wilderness is Colorado’s third largest, with nearly 180 miles of trails that often end at alpine lakes set against virtually unclimbable walls.

Nearest town: Crestone, CO 81131

The specific location will be shared with all registered volunteers 2 weeks before the project.

What You’ll Do: 

Help restore the Willow Creek Watershed by building beaver dam analogs (BDAs) and post-assisted log structures (PALs). These structures mimic natural beaver dams to improve water quality, stabilize stream systems, and restore wetland and riparian habitat.

Volunteers will collect and use on-site materials such as dead and downed willow and aspen to construct the structures. Wooden posts will be driven into the streambed using sledgehammers to anchor the dams, but all other materials will be sourced directly from the site.

Backcountry Project Requirements:

Carry a 50+ lb backpacking pack, including all equipment necessary for camping in the backcountry. Communal items such tools, water filters and stoves will be packed in via horses but personal items must be carried by each volunteer. 

Hike 2 miles into the basecamp, with a 1200ft elevation gain.

Be comfortable using a communal backcountry restroom, such as a latrine. 

Be comfortable camping in bear country and following leave no trace (LNT) ethics.

Food and Camping:

Enjoy breakfast and lunch on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with dinner on Friday and Saturday.

Bring your own dinner on Thursday night, and enough snacks for the weekend.

Why It Matters:   

The Willow Creek Watershed is facing challenges like erosion, habitat loss, and declining water quality. Native wetland and riparian plants are struggling to reestablish, and the water table is dropping rapidly. 

Beaver dam analogs (BDAs) and post-assisted log structures (PALs) offer simple, cost-effective solutions to these problems. By mimicking the function of natural beaver dams, these structures slow down water, reduce erosion, raise water tables, and create habitats for wildlife.  

They also increase the probability of successful beaver translocation by creating an immediate deep-water habitat that reduces the risk of predation. Your work will play a critical role in restoring this watershed and supporting a range of common restoration goals.  

Eligibility Requirements: 

Ages 18+

Due to a 15-person limit in designated Wilderness areas, an $80 deposit is required to register Deposits are fully refunded upon project completion or cancellation more than two weeks before the project Deposits are not refunded for cancellations within two weeks of the project

Project Difficulty: 

This project is considered difficult; please check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details.

Access Factors: 

Vehicle Access: No vehicle restrictions – 2WD accessible to the trailhead.    

Other Notes: This is a backcountry project, requiring a hike to the project basecamp and work. Experience backpacking in the wilderness recommended, see volunteer requirements in the description above. The project site is at 9,800 feet, so prepare to be camping and working at higher elevation.

Want to learn more about how beaver dam analogs are built and learn techniques you will use on this project? Join us for a Beaver Dam Analog Training on May 9. Learn more and register here.

Where You’ll Be: 

Signature Bluffs Natural Area is a riparian and wetland natural area along the Cache la Poudre River with soft-surface trails, cottonwood stands, cattail marshes, and a pond where fishing is allowed with a valid Colorado license. The site is well known for wildlife and bird watching and connects directly with the Poudre River Trail for extended hiking or biking. The exact meeting location will be shared via email at least seven days prior to the project. 

What You’ll Do:  

Volunteers will help improve visitor access while protecting sensitive habitat at Signature Bluffs. Work will focus on closing and revegitating informal social trails around the lake to reduce habitat disturbance and support native vegetation recovery.

Volunteers will also improve the designated primitive trail by widening and defining it, creating a safer and more welcoming route to fishing access points. This project is a good fit for new volunteers and anyone interested in learning more about trail restoration.

Please bring your own lunch for the day.

Why It Matters: 

Informal trails can fragment habitat and impact wildlife and native plants. By restoring these areas and improving designated trails, this project helps protect sensitive ecosystems while guiding visitors to enjoy the landscape in a sustainable way. The work completed at Signature Bluffs supports long-term habitat health, safer recreation, and a better experience for everyone who uses the area. 

Eligibility Requirements:  

Ages 12+

Youth under 16 must be accompanied by an adult aged 21 or older. 

Project Difficulty:  

This project is considered easy to moderate; please check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details 

The following are general physical considerations for this type of work. Some or all may apply. Volunteers can expect kneeling, bending, and working close to the ground for extended periods.

Work takes place outdoors with exposure to sun, weather, and insects such as bees and wasps. Tasks may include carrying, hauling, and placing heavy materials like logs, branches, rocks, and fencing, as well as digging, shoveling, and moving soil and rocks. Some work will take place near water, where footing may be muddy or slippery.

This is a 6.5 to 7 hour workday that requires some physical stamina, and volunteers are always encouraged to take breaks as needed.

Access Factors:   

Vehicle Access:  No vehicle restrictions – 2WD accessible  

Other Notes: Cell service may be spotty in this area.

Where You’ll Be: 

Signature Bluffs Natural Area is a riparian and wetland natural area along the Cache la Poudre River with soft-surface trails, cottonwood stands, cattail marshes, and a pond where fishing is allowed with a valid Colorado license. The site is well known for wildlife and bird watching and connects directly with the Poudre River Trail for extended hiking or biking. The exact meeting location will be shared via email at least seven days prior to the project. 

What You’ll Do:  

Volunteers will help improve visitor access while protecting sensitive habitat at Signature Bluffs. Work will focus on closing and revegitating informal social trails around the lake to reduce habitat disturbance and support native vegetation recovery.

Volunteers will also improve the designated primitive trail by widening and defining it, creating a safer and more welcoming route to fishing access points. This project is a good fit for new volunteers and anyone interested in learning more about trail restoration.

Please bring your own lunch for the day.

Why It Matters: 

Informal trails can fragment habitat and impact wildlife and native plants. By restoring these areas and improving designated trails, this project helps protect sensitive ecosystems while guiding visitors to enjoy the landscape in a sustainable way. The work completed at Signature Bluffs supports long-term habitat health, safer recreation, and a better experience for everyone who uses the area. 

Eligibility Requirements:  

Ages 12+

Youth under 16 must be accompanied by an adult aged 21 or older. 

Project Difficulty:  

This project is considered moderate; please check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details 

The following are general physical considerations for this type of work. Some or all may apply. Volunteers can expect kneeling, bending, and working close to the ground for extended periods. Work takes place outdoors with exposure to sun, weather, and insects such as bees and wasps. Tasks may include carrying, hauling, and placing heavy materials like logs, branches, rocks, and fencing, as well as digging, shoveling, and moving soil and rocks. Some work will take place near water, where footing may be muddy or slippery. This is a 6.5 to 7 hour workday that requires some physical stamina, and volunteers are always encouraged to take breaks as needed.

Access Factors:   

Vehicle Access:  No vehicle restrictions – 2WD accessible  

Other Notes: Cell service may be spotty in this area.

Where You’ll Be: 

Spend five days uncovering history and helping to preserve the stories of the San Luis Valley during this unique opportunity to volunteer on an archeological adventure in the South San Juan Wilderness of Colorado.

The South San Juan Wilderness encompasses the southeastern extent of the San Juan Mountain Range, including a segment of the Continental Divide. Originally designated as wilderness by Congress in 1980, it is a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System and now maintains 158,790 acres.

Ages of volcanic activity followed by the carving of glaciers left the rough, imposing terrain of the remote South San Juan Wilderness, an area characterized by steep slopes above wide U-shaped valleys cut deeper by eroding streams. You'll find high peaks and cliffs, as well as jagged pinnacles and ragged ridges, making travel difficult. Elevations rise as high as 13,300 feet.

Thirty-two lakes, most of them formed by glacial activity, hold much of the area's moisture and drain into turbulent creeks. The Conejos, San Juan, and Blanco Rivers have their headwaters here. You'll find about 180 miles of trails, and some of the most exemplary backpacking in the state. The Continental Divide crosses the heart of the Wilderness for 42 miles.

Nearest town: Antonito, CO 81120

The specific location will be shared with all registered volunteers 2 weeks before the project

What You’ll Do:

Volunteers will spend the week alongside USFS archeologists, performing archaeological surface surveys along the Continental Divide Trail in the South San Juan Wilderness. Surface surveys are systematic, non-destructive field investigations used to locate, map, and evaluate archaeological sites, artifacts, and cultural features across a landscape without full-scale excavation. These studies are critical for environmental compliance (e.g., Section 106), identifying risks to cultural resources before development projects, and understanding regional settlement patterns.

No previous archeology experience is required. You’ll receive training from Rio Grande National Forest archaeologists, Price Heiner and Marcy Reiser. The first day will focus on learning the basics, including how to document what you find, and there may also be a pre-project info session to help you prepare.

Backcountry Project Requirements:

Carry a 50+ lb backpacking pack, including all equipment necessary for camping in the backcountry. Since this project does not require tools, we will not have a pack string to assist us. Katie is looking into some smaller pack support options, like alpacas or a mule or two but at this point- assume it will be self supported. 

Hike 5+ miles each day (with your pack), as we will be camping at a new location each evening. The route will follow the Continental Divide Trail, with many sections above 12,000 ft. 

Be comfortable using a cat hole as a backcountry restroom for the week. 

Be comfortable camping in bear country and following leave no trace (LNT) ethics.   

Why It Matters:   

Archaeological, historical, and cultural resources are important because they help tell the story of who we are as human beings. These stories are often lost or forgotten over time, but archaeology gives us the tools to rediscover and understand them. By studying and preserving these sites, we can learn how societies functioned, how people interacted with each other and their environments, and how they adapted to change over the centuries. This work helps us connect with the past, understand our present, and protect these resources for future generations. Through this project, you’ll be a part of preserving these important pieces of history in the San Luis Valley.

Eligibility Requirements: 

Ages 18+

Due to the 15-person limit in Wilderness areas, even one late cancellation can be detrimental to our volunteer recruitment and outdoor stewardship efforts. As such, a deposit of $80 is required to register. This deposit will be refunded in full upon completion of the project, or upon cancellation more than two weeks prior to the project. Deposits will not be refunded if you cancel less than two weeks before the project.Project Difficulty: 

This project is considered difficult; please check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details.

Access Factors: 

Vehicle Access: No vehicle restrictions – 2WD accessible to the trailhead.    

Other Notes: This is a backcountry project, requiring long hikes each day at high elevation. Volunteers need experience backpacking in the wilderness, see volunteer requirements in the description above. This is a high elevation projects, with much of the week at 10,000 ft+

Where You’ll Be: 

Spend the weekend caring for the Blanca Wetlands, a critical wildlife habitat in the San Luis Valley. These wetlands are among Colorado’s most important areas for birds, providing vital habitat for migrating waterbirds and shorebirds. As part of this project, you’ll join other volunteers in removing Russian Olive, a noxious weed, to support wetland and native plant restoration efforts. 

The BLM will allow the group to camp onsite, offering a rare opportunity to stay overnight at this beautiful and ecologically significant area.

Nearest Town: Alamosa, CO 81146

The specific location will be shared with all registered volunteers 2 weeks before the project.

What You’ll Do: 

Volunteers will help remove Russian Olive trees, an invasive species threatening the Blanca Wetlands. The project has roles for both certified sawyers and general volunteers.  

Chainsaw-certified volunteers will cut the trees into manageable pieces, while other volunteers will help move the cut material to a designated area for later collection by BLM staff.

Only certified sawyers are permitted to operate chainsaws.

This project requires eight B-certified chainsaw sawyers. A-certified sawyers may cut under the supervision of B-Sawyers.

If you are certified, please note this in the comments section.

All sawyers must hold a current first aid/CPR certification in order to operate a chainsaw.

Interested in getting certified? Visit our Training Calendar to view upcoming training opportunities.

After the workday, BLM biologist Taylor, will share the history and importance of this critical wildlife habitat and the challenges the BLM continues to face in water resource management on the property. There will also be opportunities for pond fishing and excellent birding (when not operating chainsaws!). You might even spot some porcupines, a couple have made an appearance each year we have hosted this project. 

Food and Camping:

Enjoy breakfast and lunch on Saturday and Sunday, with dinner on Saturday. Bring your own dinner on Friday night, and enough snacks for the weekend.  

Free campsites are available on Friday and Saturday nights, and volunteers are encouraged to arrive at base camp before 8 pm on Friday. 

Support This Project as a Crew Chef Helper! 

We provide full meals on our overnight projects to ensure volunteers are well-fed and ready for a day of volunteering, and we could use your help to make it happen! 

View this document to learn more about how to support and sign up.

Why It Matters: 

Russian Olive is designated as a “List B” species in the Colorado Noxious Weed Act, meaning we need to actively stop the spread of this species. Russian olive trees displace native flora and fauna and prevent them from re-establishing. And critically, a single Russian olive tree can consume up to 75 gallons of water per day—water that is essential for maintaining the wetlands and supporting the wildlife that depends on them. 

Eligibility Requirements: 

Ages 18+ 

Project Difficulty: 

This project is considered difficult; please check our difficulty rating criteria here  for more details. 

Physical Considerations: This project will include physically demanding work, including moving heavy plant materials and working on uneven terrain. For volunteers not operating chainsaws, there may be lifting cut plant debris overhead at times, carrying logs, piling plant debris in one place, and using loppers.

Access Factors: 

Vehicle Access: No vehicle restrictions – 2WD accessible  

Other Notes: Tent camping OK. Car and Van camping OK. Large vehicles or tow-behinds may be accommodated, please contact Katie (katie@voc.org) to confirm availability. This project is at 7500 ft. elevation. Vault toilets and potable water will be available at camp.

If you enjoy chainsaw projects, either as a certified sawyer or a support volunteer, you can view similar projects here.

Where You’ll Be: 

The Rio Grande National Forest spans over 1.8 million acres in a forested ring around the San Luis Valley in south-central Colorado. From the high peaks of the Sangre de Cristo Range to rugged canyons and ancient calderas, the forest offers year-round opportunities for sightseeing and recreation.

This picturesque Colorado campground is located on the Divide Ranger District, a short drive from the town of Del Norte. The campground is surrounded by aspen trees, which will be in peak fall colors during the weekend- which is why it was scheduled accordingly! Nothing better than leaf peeping in the crowd-less San Luis Valley during this time of year. The campground is situated at the base of Storm King Mountain, amid rolling, rocky hills along the Middle Fork of Carnero Creek.

The campground will be reserved for the volunteer project.

Nearest town: La Garita, CO 81132

The specific location will be shared with all registered volunteers 2 weeks before the project.

What You’ll Do: 

An old fence that once prevented resource damage and defined the Storm King campsites has deteriorated. Volunteers are needed to remove the old fence and construct a new one in the same area. The purpose of the fence is to prevent campers and cattle from trampling across the vegetation, allowing natural vegetation to flourish and improve the aesthetics of this popular campground. 

VOC provides breakfast and lunch on Saturday and Sunday, and dinner on Saturday. Bring your own dinner on Friday night, and enough snacks for the weekend.  

Free campsites are available on Friday and Saturday nights, and volunteers are encouraged to arrive at base camp before 8 pm on Friday. 

Support This Project as a Crew Chef Helper! 

We provide full meals on our overnight projects to ensure volunteers are well-fed and ready for a day of volunteering, and we could use your help to make it happen! 

View this document to learn more about how to support and sign up.

Why It Matters: 

National Public Lands Day (NPLD) is the nation’s largest single-day volunteer event for public lands, held each year on the fourth Saturday in September.  For more than three decades, NPLD has helped make public lands more accessible to communities nationwide through service and celebration. Coordinated by the National Environmental Education Foundation, NPLD brings together thousands of volunteers—individuals, families, organizations, and agencies—to care for and celebrate America’s public lands through volunteer and community events.

Eligibility Requirements: 

Ages 16+ 

For overnight projects, all youth under 18 must be accompanied by an adult aged 21 or older. 

Project Difficulty:

This project is considered moderate. Please check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details.

Physical Considerations: This project will include moderate lifting and tool use; shoveling and raking materials; repetitive bending, lifting, and walking; and you can expect to bend, pick up objects, carry tools, and stretch.

Access Factors:

Vehicle Access: 2WD dirt road

Other Notes: Tent camping OK. Car and Van camping OK. No large vehicles or tow-behinds. This project will be at 9400 ft. elevation. Vault toilets and potable water will be available at camp.

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Where You’ll Be:  

You’ll be working at 1st Ave Pond, a quiet, behind the scenes natural area in the southernmost part of the City of Greeley. This site borders a small stretch of the South Platte River corridor and is currently closed to public access, allowing it to function as an important refuge for wildlife. With no formal trails or recreational use, the area provides undisturbed habitat for birds, small mammals, and other species that rely on intact riparian and wetland ecosystems.

What You’ll Do: 

Volunteers will help remove 10 to 15 foot Russian olive trees, an invasive species that threatens native vegetation and wildlife habitat along the South Platte River corridor. This project includes roles for both chainsaw certified volunteers and general volunteers. Chainsaw certified volunteers will cut Russian olive trees into manageable sections. Other volunteers will assist by moving cut material to a chipper staging area operated by the Forestry Division.

Only certified sawyers are permitted to operate chainsaws.

This project requires five B certified Chainsaw Sawyers. A certified Sawyers may participate under the supervision of B Sawyers.

If you are certified, please note this in the comments section during registration and email your certificate to the project manager.

All sawyers must hold a current First Aid and CPR certification in order to operate a chainsaw.

Interested in getting certified? Visit our Training Calendar to view upcoming training opportunities.

Why It Matters: 

Russian olive is designated as a List B species under the Colorado Noxious Weed Act, requiring active management to prevent its spread. These invasive trees displace native plants and wildlife and can consume up to 75 gallons of water per day, water that is critical for sustaining wetlands and the species that depend on them. Removing Russian olive at 1st Ave Pond helps restore native habitat, protect limited water resources, and strengthen the health of the South Platte River corridor. 

Eligibility Requirements: 

Ages 18+  

Project Difficulty: 

This project is considered difficult. Please check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details.  

Physical Considerations:

Expect physically demanding work, including moving heavy plant materials and working on uneven terrain. For volunteers not operating chainsaws, there may be lifting cut plant debris overhead at times, carrying logs, piling plant debris in one place, and using loppers. 

Access Factors:   

Vehicle Access: No vehicle restrictions – 2WD accessible

If you enjoy chainsaw projects, either as a certified sawyer or a support volunteer, you can view similar projects here.

Where You’ll Be:  

You’ll be working at 1st Ave Pond, a quiet, behind the scenes natural area in the southernmost part of the City of Greeley. This site borders a small stretch of the South Platte River corridor and is currently closed to public access, allowing it to function as an important refuge for wildlife. With no formal trails or recreational use, the area provides undisturbed habitat for birds, small mammals, and other species that rely on intact riparian and wetland ecosystems.

What You’ll Do: 

Volunteers will help remove 10 to 15 foot Russian olive trees, an invasive species that threatens native vegetation and wildlife habitat along the South Platte River corridor. This project includes roles for both chainsaw certified volunteers and general volunteers. Chainsaw certified volunteers will cut Russian olive trees into manageable sections. Other volunteers will assist by moving cut material to a chipper staging area operated by the Forestry Division.

Only certified sawyers are permitted to operate chainsaws.

This project requires five B certified Chainsaw Sawyers. A certified Sawyers may participate under the supervision of B Sawyers.

If you are certified, please note this in the comments section during registration and email your certificate to the project manager.

All sawyers must hold a current First Aid and CPR certification in order to operate a chainsaw.

Interested in getting certified? Visit our Training Calendar to view upcoming training opportunities.

Why It Matters: 

Russian olive is designated as a List B species under the Colorado Noxious Weed Act, requiring active management to prevent its spread. These invasive trees displace native plants and wildlife and can consume up to 75 gallons of water per day, water that is critical for sustaining wetlands and the species that depend on them. Removing Russian olive at 1st Ave Pond helps restore native habitat, protect limited water resources, and strengthen the health of the South Platte River corridor. 

Eligibility Requirements: 

Ages 18+  

Project Difficulty: 

This project is considered difficult. Please check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details.  

Physical Considerations:

Expect physically demanding work, including moving heavy plant materials and working on uneven terrain. For volunteers not operating chainsaws, there may be lifting cut plant debris overhead at times, carrying logs, piling plant debris in one place, and using loppers. 

Access Factors:   

Vehicle Access: No vehicle restrictions – 2WD accessible

If you enjoy chainsaw projects, either as a certified sawyer or a support volunteer, you can view similar projects here.