Volunteers have always been at the heart of Forest Park Conservancy. From working in the office to removing invasive plants and repairing trails, we could not do our work without the support of hard-working, caring people, community groups, and Business Members.

Each year, the Forest Park Conservancy recruits and trains more than 2,000 volunteers who log more than 7,000 hours in Forest Park – rain or shine.

• Check out our Event Calendar to sign up for our currently scheduled events
• Stay informed on future events: sign up here to receive our monthly, volunteer-focused e-newsletter!
• Interested in holding a private work party for your team of 15 or more? Click for more information on our Business Membership benefits.
• You can also fill out our Group Stewardship Request Form with any requests you have regarding FPC events, this helps our Stewardship team better serve our community while meeting the needs of the forest.

All volunteers must come prepared to get dirty in a pair of long pants and sturdy, closed-toe shoes. Be sure to bring warm layers, a waterproof layer, and a full personal water bottle.

All training, tools, and gloves are provided. No previous experience necessary. We’ll teach you everything you need to know!

Click here for our Health and Safety Guidelines.

Although we have an excellent safety record, all of our volunteers must sign a waiver before participating in stewardship activities. For volunteers under the age of 18, a parent or legal guardian must co-sign. Waivers are available on site at the start of each work party and should be turned in at that time. Follow the link below to view our volunteer waiver form or feel free to print and fill it out in advance.

 Volunteer Leadership opportunities are a great way to build skills and make a big difference in the community. Here are just a few of the leadership opportunities with the Forest Park Conservancy.

Forest Park Conservancy is always on the lookout for volunteers who enjoy helping others at our work parties. Each year, we organize two Crew Leader training sessions for volunteers wishing to deepen their technical knowledge and take on greater leadership roles at our volunteer events. Check our Event Calendar for upcoming training opportunities.

Part of the mission of Forest Park Conservancy is to show others the splendor and wonder of Forest Park. We organize educational hikes on a wide range of topics, including photography, insects, natural medicine, and history. If you are knowledgeable about plants, geology, wildlife, history, or other topics related to Forest Park, we’d love to talk with you about leading a hike! For more information please email us at info@forestparkconservancy.org.

Due to the growing needs of Forest Park, a few select volunteers, who have been trained by our staff, work with us independently. They help expand our reach in the forest by tending to certain trail needs on their own and reporting back to our field staff.

Currently, we are not accepting any new Independent Volunteers. However, if you are interested in the program we highly recommend becoming a Rapid Response team member! As a member of the team, you can become familiar with the trails, attend trainings to expand your skill set, and get to know our staff and community.

Forest Park Conservancy's Rapid Response Team is made up of volunteers who each adopt a hiking route and collectively survey all 47 miles of soft-surface trail in Forest Park following a big storm. The information gathered from our Rapid Response Team members is used by Forest Park Conservancy to pinpoint and remove passage barriers and/or safety hazards on the trails of Forest Park.

 For more information on joining the Rapid Response Team, check our Events Calendar for upcoming trainings, or email us at info@forestparkconservancy.org.

Anyone can report a downed tree! Submit your report by emailing us today. Any pictures, location info, or other details you can provide help us manage these efforts more effectively.

To sponsor a private work party for your company's employees or a private stewardship experience in Forest Park, contact Zac Peal by email at zac@forestparkconservancy.org.

You may also visit our Business Membership page for more information.