Volunteer

Volunteer for monthly litter pickups in natural areas. Anyone, including individuals, businesses, families and homeowners associations, can adopt a natural area. 

What’s involved:

• Make a one-year commitment (you can renew, change or stop anytime).
• Pick up and report maintenance needs once a month.
• Track your volunteer hours in Engage.
• Stay safe, and enjoy nature.

Adopt-A-Natural Area volunteer job description and application

Volunteers nurture a living exhibit that teaches the benefits of native plants and offers design inspiration. They work at the Nix Native Plant Garden and Sugar Beet Park Garden, performing tasks like weeding, mulching and pruning.

• Tuesdays, 8-10 a.m. (May-October, weather permitting) for Nix Garden at Natural Areas Headquarters Office
• Thursdays, 7-9:30 a.m. (May – October, weather permitting) for Native Garden at Sugar Beet Park
• No experience needed — we’ll show you what to do.
• Groups welcome! Adults only, please.

Gardener Volunteer job description and application (will open for applications in March 2026)

Volunteers willing to take pictures of nature or people are always welcome. Must have your own camera equipment.

Volunteer Photographer job description and application

One-Day Projects

Individuals, families and small groups can join one-day stewardship projects on Earth Day, National Trails Day and National Public Lands Day. These are advertised on the Natural Areas event calendar.

Ongoing Stewardship Project Opportunities

Volunteers are also needed to participate in ongoing stewardship activities, including weed removal, firefly monitoring, camera checking and floristic quality assessments. Sign up to participate in these limited-term assignments as a Stewardship Volunteer.

Stewardship Volunteer job description and application

Projects for Groups

Groups (8+ people) can request a custom volunteer stewardship project by completing the stewardship service project request form. Due to high demand, groups are limited to two events per year. 

Use Pick It Up FoCo to organize your own litter cleanup day. Groups of 15+ wanting to pick up trash in a natural area will need a special-use permit.

Volunteer Naturalist Assistants serve as important aids to Volunteer Naturalists. Naturalist Assistants help with group management, props and activities. Volunteering as a Naturalist Assistant is a great opportunity to take an active role in the education programs and gain experience in interpretation, natural history and group management.

The next Volunteer Naturalist Assistant training will take place in fall 2025.

Volunteer Naturalist Assistant job description and application

Volunteer Naturalists are trained educators who explore beautiful natural areas while learning to develop and lead engaging activities on City of Fort Collins and Larimer County properties. An intensive training session of about 30 hours is offered each year to introduce volunteers to both organizations and teach the basics of interpretive program design.

Volunteer Naturalists are required to plan and teach at least two programs/activities per year for either agency.

The next Volunteer Naturalist training will take place in fall 2025.

Volunteer Naturalist job description and application.

Love the outdoors and helping people? Become a Volunteer Ranger Assistant!

You'll walk natural areas, talk with visitors, share safety tips and help keep trails safe and welcoming for everyone. It's a great way to give back and support land stewardship in your community.

You’ll get about 20 hours of training on:

• Ecology and land values
• Visitor safety and trail use
• Emergency response

This is a joint program between the City of Fort Collins and Larimer County. The next Ranger Assistant training will take place in February 2026. 

Volunteer Ranger Assistant job description and application

BARK Rangers

BARK Rangers are Volunteer Ranger Assistants that participate in additional training with their dog partners. After training and certification, BARK Rangers and their canines patrol on approved Natural Areas Department and Larimer County properties, talk with other visitors, and participate in education and community outreach events.

The next training will be in fall 2026.