Natural Areas and Trails Rangers

Volunteer Trail Hosts/ Volunteer Ranger Assistants

Welcome to the first class of Natural Area Volunteer Trail Hosts!

Are you looking for a way to give back to the outdoors? Are you committed to land stewardship and public enjoyment of natural areas? Do you enjoy the outdoors and talking with others? Are you looking for meaningful volunteer service? Become a Volunteer Ranger Assistant!

The City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Program's Volunteer Trail Host program is merging with Larimer County's Trail Ranger Assistant program. Applications (pdf) are being accepted for spring 2008 training. Volunteer Ranger Assistants promote outdoor safety and awareness, respond to visitor questions and monitor areas for safety. The Volunteer Trail Host/Ranger Assistant program was created to integrate the community in promoting visitor safety and enhancing the enjoyment of the outdoors.

Volunteer Ranger Assistants participate in about 20 hours of training. The 2008 spring training session will be June 10 and 12, 6-9 pm and June 14, 8 am-5 pm. Training topics include the values of natural areas, basic ecology, managing visitor use, outdoor safety, conflict management and responding to emergency situations. Training is offered each spring and fall.

Applicants who are at least 18 yrs old with strong interpersonal skills and a commitment to promoting the responsible enjoyment of City natural areas and County open spaces are encouraged to apply. Once accepted, volunteers will be required to undergo a background check and must complete a volunteer agreement requiring a minimum of 20 hours of volunteer service per year. Volunteers can host at a trailhead, special event or monitor trails by wheelchair, hiking, biking, dog walking or horseback. Volunteer opportunities are year-round.

Applications are available here (pdf) at the City of Fort Collins Natural Resources Department, 215 North Mason, or at the Natural Areas Program Office, 1745 Hoffman Mill Road. Interested individuals may also call 970-416-2815 and request an application be sent to them.

Read the Coloradoan article about the Volunteer Ranger Assistant Program from March 2008.

See more volunteer opportunities with the Natural Areas Program.