The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority is looking for a few good residents to join its 2025 Volunteer Cohort.
Volunteers can take on a variety of roles to help advance the authority’s mission to care for open spaces and connect people to nature.
Land stewards assist with habitat restoration, trail maintenance, fencing and cleanup projects. Community outreach volunteers act as agency ambassadors at community festivals and public events in Santa Clara Valley.
Trail patrol volunteers engage with visitors at open space preserves, share rules and guidelines, submit patrol observations and report hazards to staff. Preserve stewards serve the public at open space preserves, greet and assist visitors and support guest safety.
Interpretive docents lead informational hikes and provide education about the natural environment. Trail masters complete trail maintenance and fieldwork alongside authority staff. Opportunities are scheduled weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the year, and on the third Saturday of every month.
Interpretive docent training is essential for volunteers who wish to lead public hikes. All training resources will be provided. Virtual training is scheduled Wednesdays, Jan. 15, 22 and 29 and Feb. 4 and 19, 6-8 p.m. In-person training sessions are Jan. 25, Feb. 1, 8, 22-23 and March 1-2, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Those interested in trail patrol, preserve steward or community outreach should attend interpretive host training on Saturday, Jan. 11, or Sunday, Jan. 12, 9:30 a.m.-noon, at the Tilton Ranch Complex, or Saturday, Feb. 22, Sunday, Feb. 23, Saturday, March 1, or Sunday, March 2, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., at Máyyan ‘Ooyákma – Coyote Ridge Open Space Preserve.
For more information and to register for trainings, visit https://openspaceauthority.galaxydigital.com/volunteer-with-the-open-space-authority