Opportunities From: Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado

Why it's important:

Becoming a chainsaw sawyer is a valuable skill and a critical way to contribute to conservation efforts across Colorado. By attending this course you will gain the skills and certification to be able to safely assist with fire mitigation, trail maintenance and other felling and bucking operations to aid in forest management.

What you'll learn:

Upgrade your outdoor stewardship skills at this exciting 3 day workshop! Whether they're used for thinning fuel loads in forests, removing invasive species, clearing blow downs or much more, chainsaws are an indispensable tool in many different natural resource and trail management applications. The focus of this 3-day workshop will be on saw safety; bucking, limbing, and felling principles and techniques; an overview of the tools of the trade as well as tool care and maintenance; hazard analysis and situational awareness; and did we mention safety (lots on saw safety!). Using the USDA Forest Service National Sawyer Training: Developing Thinking Sawyers, trainees will be recommended for certification up to a "B" skill level for felling and bucking. Please note that certification level is at the discretion of the workshop evaluator based on demonstrated field proficiency and is not guaranteed.  

Where you'll be:

This chainsaw training will take place near Nederland, Colorado. While camping is not coordinated by VOC, we will send out some options in the details emails that go out to registrants.

Eligibility Requirements:        

Ages 18+  

A valid first aid/CPR certification or higher is required to validate all saw certifications. You must have this certification prior to taking this class.

Essential details:

This course takes place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 5-7, 2026. It is required to attend all three days of this training. Depending on participants skill level and previous experience, there may be a chance to finish up this training early.

This training costs $150/person. To pay for the course please click here.

Your spot will not be reserved until you have registered and paid for the course.

A detailed email with the exact location, schedule and logistical information will be sent one month prior to the training date. If you have any questions in the meantime, please email Kelly at kclouse@voc.org.

If you cancel your registration within 2 weeks of the training date you will not be eligible for a refund. This is because we cannot fill a spot with such short notice.

Want to put these skills to work on project? Check out these opportunities to show off your new skills!

Why it's important: Training for Crew Leadership for trails is an essential part of building the capacity for stewardship in Colorado. This is a great way to take your environmental stewardship to the next level. As a Crew Leader, you will gain an understanding of trail terminology, methodology, and fundamentals of the functionality of a trail. Crew Leaders are an key component of projects; they follow the instructions of Technical Advisors and motivate a strong team of volunteers to complete that work.

What you'll learn: Through pre-workshop preparation online, classroom sessions, field exercises and role-playing, Crew Leader Trainees will learn the fundamentals of trail maintenance, construction, restoration, and erosion control. Trainees will also learn about tools and tool safety including tool identification, carrying, use, and storage. Trainees will learn about how to assess risks to avoid injury, individual learning styles, listening skills, and conflict and dispute management. A successful Crew Leader will be able to assess the individuals that make up the crew, understand motivational types and be able to effectively communicate the components of sustainable trail maintenance to their team. By the time the course concludes, Crew Leader Trainees will know how to motivate individuals to produce the desired end results in a safe manner, while utilizing the varied skills offered. All trainees will receive a crew leader manual, access to online modules, and a set of quick reference cards for a successful and fun experience.

Where you'll be: This training will be at Golden Gate Canyon State Park. The exact location of the training and a detailed schedule will be provided once you have paid for the training.

Essential Details: 

This training takes place on Saturday and Sunday, June 6-7, 2026. It is required to attend both days of the training. It costs $100 per person to attend the training. Please click here to pay for the training and access the online content.NOTE: If you cancel within 2 weeks of the training start date you will not be refunded.This training will be free of charge for CPW staff and CPW volunteers. If you are CPW staff or volunteer, please reach out to Kelly Clouse at kclouse@voc.org for a discount code to use at check out to receive the training free of charge. It is mandatory to complete the online training prior to the in-person training. Please allow about 4 hours to complete this training. Please bring your own food and water to this training.

 

For questions or concerns please reach out to Kelly Clouse at kclouse@voc.org.

VOC offers a scholarship to cover training costs for volunteers with a commitment to the outdoors. Learn more and apply here. Applications will be accepted until Wednesday, April 1st, 2026.

Why it's important: Noxious weeds represent a huge threat to all ecosystems across Colorado and are a huge challenge in the field of conservation. Learning how to control, mitigate, and safely treat noxious weeds is a valuable skill to make key contributions to environmental stewardship.

 

What you'll Learn: This training focuses on how to manage weeds on public lands. We will cover how to identify, inventory, map, and treat noxious weeds. There is also emphasis on the appropriate treatment protocol for individual species. There is also time dedicated to identifying common "look a likes" that can be mistaken as noxious weeds.

This training takes place on Saturday June 6, 2026. This training will take place near Evergreen, Colorado. The exact location and a schedule will be sent once you have registered. No food is provided on this training, please bring your own lunch, snacks, and water.

Want to put these skills to work on project? Check out these opportunities to show off your new skills!

Why it's important:  Rock work is an essential part of outdoor stewardship and building sustainable trails. When done properly, projects with rock work can last much longer and be more effective at preventing erosion and keeping trail users safe. In this Saturday workshop, you'll have the opportunity to learn from experts in the field, including OSI Instructors who have been building and maintaining trails for decades. 

What you'll learn: This skills training will explore several basic concepts of rock structures and appropriate applications for multi-use trails. We will practice building commonly used structures, and trainees will come away with an enhanced ability to assess trails for practical rock work solutions. Some topics include armoring, constructing a mono-wall, and more! This training is in-person but also has an online component to be completed prior to the training.

Where you'll be: This training will take place at Golden Gate Canyon State Park, near Golden Colorado. The exact location of the training and a detailed schedule will be provided once you have paid for the training.

Essential Details: 

This training takes place on Saturday, June 20 2026.  It costs $70 per person to attend the training. Please click here to pay for the training and access the online content. It is mandatory to complete the online training prior to the in-person training. Please allow about 4 hours to complete this training.Cancellations within 2 weeks of the training will not be refunded.Please bring your own food and water to this training.

Want to put these skills to work on project? Check out these opportunities to show off your new skills!

VOC offers a scholarship to cover training costs for volunteers with a commitment to the outdoors. Learn more and apply here. Applications will be accepted until Wednesday, April 1st, 2026.

What you'll learn:

Colorado’s bumble bees need your help! This summer, join our community of bumble bee loving volunteers across Colorado searching for and documenting these important pollinators.

This training will take place completely in the field and focuses on hands-on practice. Participants will learn how to safely net bumble bees, transfer them to vials, photograph them, and release them. We will also walk through how to complete the BBA data sheet. Please note that this is not a comprehensive training, volunteers should also watch a training webinar and review the Participant Handbook.

To get started and learn more about the project, visit BumbleBeeAtlas.org and sign up for the spring 2026 Webinar on Thursday, April 23.

Where you'll be:

This field training will take place in the San Luis Valley, which is four hours south of Denver. The training site will be located outside of Creede in an area known as Antelope Park. This location is about 25 minutes west of the town of Creede. VOC will not be hosting a basecamp for this training but dispersed camping options are available near the field site. More information will be provided via email to registered participants. 

Why it's important:

Bumble bees are charismatic and easily recognizable pollinators thanks to their large size, loud buzz, and distinctive color patterns. They play an incredibly important role in sustaining the health of our environment by pollinating flowers in natural and urban areas, and by contributing to successful harvests on farms.

Working together, Xerces' scientists, state and federal agency biologists, university scientists, and community scientists will be able to rapidly grow our understanding of bumble bees! Our teams of researchers will be able to use the new information to assess species distribution, population shifts, habitat associations and more. Additionally, the data will identify regions that are supporting healthy populations, as well as those in need of restoration or management, and highlight landscape features that are associated with bumble bee habitat. Understanding how species distributions have changed over time, in conjunction with habitat change, will help form accurate predictions as to what we should expect in the future, and aid in the design of effective conservation measures. ​

With your help, we can quickly cover the large regions of the country, collect scientific-quality data, and contribute to bumble bee conservation. Our efforts will help conservation biologists, restoration practitioners, and policy makers do a better job protecting, restoring, and managing effective habitat that support healthy bumble bee populations. 

Eligibility Requirements:         Ages 18+   Students or families are welcome to participate under the leadership of an adult 18+ Essential details: This course takes place on Sunday, June 21.Please note that this is not a comprehensive training, volunteers should also watch a training webinar and review the Participant Handbook. To get started and learn more about the project, visit BumbleBeeAtlas.org and sign up for the spring 2026 Webinar on Thursday, April 23. Anyone is welcome to join the Bumble Bee Atlas and free training is provided. No previous experience is necessary. A detailed email with the exact location, schedule and logistical information will be sent two weeks prior to the training date. If you have any questions in the meantime, please email Katie at katie@voc.org

Why it's important: This training will go over essential skills for advanced trail work including turnpikes, rock structures, and timber steps. Building sustainable climbing turns is an essential part of outdoor stewardship and building sustainable trails. When done properly, projects with rock and timber can last much longer and be more effective at preventing erosion and keeping trail users safe. In this Friday workshop, you'll have the opportunity to learn from experts in the field, including OSI Instructors who have been building and maintaining trails for decades. 

 This training is designed to prepare volunteers for the Hogback Trail Reroute @ Granby project on June 27-28.

What you'll learn: This skills training will explore several advanced concepts such as climbing turns, retaining walls, and steep trail construction. Trainees will come away with an enhanced ability to construct sustainable trails.

Where you'll be: This training will be in near Granby Colorado. The exact location of the training and a detailed schedule will be provided 2 weeks out from the training.

Essential Details: 

This training takes place on Friday, June 26.This training is free to attend. Free camping will be provided on Thursday June 25 and Friday June 26. Please bring your own food and water to this training.

 

For questions or concerns please reach out to Kelly Clouse at kclouse@voc.org

Why it's important: This training will go over essential skills for advanced trail work including turnpikes, rock structures, and timber steps. Building sustainable climbing turns is an essential part of outdoor stewardship and building sustainable trails. When done properly, projects with rock and timber can last much longer and be more effective at preventing erosion and keeping trail users safe. In this Friday workshop, you'll have the opportunity to learn from experts in the field, including OSI Instructors who have been building and maintaining trails for decades. 

 This training is designed to prepare volunteers for the Gilsonite Trail project on July 18-19.

What you'll learn: This skills training will explore several advanced concepts such as trail construction after a forest fire, erosion control in a flood zone, and rock structures that are appropriate for multi-use trails. Trainees will come away with an enhanced ability to assess trails for practical rock work solutions and sustainable trail construction.

Where you'll be: This training will be in near Granby, Colorado. The exact location of the training and a detailed schedule will be provided two weeks out from the training date.

Essential Details: 

This training takes place on Friday, July 17. This training is free to attend.Free camping will be provided on Thursday July 16 and Friday July 17. Please bring your own food and water to this training.