Get Involved: Natural Areas

Adopters agree to care for a natural area for one year by picking up trash and reporting maintenance issues. This program provides opportunities for community members to take an active role in restoration efforts through stewardship.

• Visit natural area once a month to pick up litter.
• Report hours and maintenance issues in Engage.
• Implement safe practices of yourself and all others involved during site visits.
• Read more about the Natural Areas Stewardship Programs.

BARK Rangers are Volunteer Ranger Assistants (VRAs) and their canines that patrol on approved Natural Areas Department properties. These volunteers and their dogs serve as a visible presence in the City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Department and serve as ambassadors promoting stewardship ethics and good dog behavior while on city trails. BARK Rangers participate in education and community outreach events.

Volunteer Description Overview

Bark Rangers are Volunteer Ranger Assistants (VRAs) and their canines that patrol on approved Natural Areas Department and Larimer County Open Space properties. These volunteers and their dogs serve as a visible presence in the City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Department and Larimer County DNR and serve as ambassadors promoting stewardship ethics and good dog behavior while on city trails. Bark Rangers participate in education and community outreach events. BARK is an acronym for:

• Bag your pet’s waste
• Always wear a leash
• Respect Wildlife
• Know where you can go

Key Responsibilities
• Provide a visible presence along trails and in open spaces, parks and natural areas as a VRA with a certified dog with the intention of talking to visitors about responsible dog ownership, the BARK principles, and the natural areas mission and regulations using authority of the resource principles.
• Hand out appropriate giveaways including leashes, water, bowls, and baggies.
• Record additional metrics including number of dogs off leash, amount of dog waste on trails, snakes, etc.
• Maintain meticulous records of the dog’s eligibility.

Impact
Be an ambassador for the Natural Areas Department and encourage positive dog interactions. Connect the public with pets, provide hands-on experiences to learn about safety, and increase the public’s understanding of stewardship.

Training

• Bark Ranger Training- Attending the class is NOT a guarantee of participation in the program. Topics include: Dog Behavior, Bite Prevention, Dog Fight Prevention, Patrol Basics, Special Events, and Scenario Practice.
• Must have previously attend Volunteer Ranger Assistant Training within the last five years and be in good standing as a VRA.
• Opportunity to attend continuing education sessions.

Commitment

• Fulfill all regular Volunteer Ranger Assistant requirements.
• Assist the City of Fort Collins with at least two additional dog focused special events a year.

Skills and Qualifications
• Maintain current behavioral certification from the American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Program. Certification from a dog trainer or animal shelter usually costs around $25. Visit the American Kennel Club’s website for a list of approved certifiers. Certification is not required to apply, but it is required in order to graduate and start patrolling as a BARK Ranger.
• Dogs must under control 100% of the time, in all situations. These situations may include being touched by strangers and being approached by other dogs.
• Submit a health evaluation, including vaccine record, from veterinarian annually.
• Submit proof of pet license annually.
• Annual background check required.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Fulfill all Volunteer Ranger Assistant requirements.

Here are descriptions of ideal human and dog candidates for the BARK Ranger program:

• Human Component: The human member of the BARK Ranger team is passionate about being outdoors and spending that quality time with their dog. In addition, the human member of the BARK Ranger team must also have a commitment to upholding the rules and regulations regarding dogs in natural areas when out with their own dogs. This includes complying with leash laws, always cleaning up after the dog, and being considerate of other rules and limitations on dogs-in-natural-areas. The human half of the BARK Ranger team should be a people lover AND a dog lover, and able to communicate compassionately to natural area visitors of both kinds.
• Dog Component: The dog member of the BARK Ranger team should enjoy the activity of hiking with their human. They should be comfortable walking (calm, relaxed, able to check-in with their person, etc.) in natural environments on a leash. The dog should comfortable being in close proximity with other people and with other dogs (including the potential off-leash dog).  The dog must be able to pass their Canine Good Citizen evaluation (https://www.akc.org/products-services/training-programs/canine-good-citizen/) and additional situational set-up evaluations (including demonstrating a calm response to bikes, off-leash dogs, kids, horses, runners, and other situations they might encounter in the natural area) in order to pass this training program and be certified as a BARK Ranger.

Dress Code
While volunteering two out of the three items listed below must be worn. The dog must wear their bandana. All are provided:
• Volunteer name badge/tag
• Volunteer shirt
• Volunteer hat
• Dogs must wear BARK Ranger bandana.
• Additionally, proper safety equipment (safety glasses, vests, gloves, when required).

Volunteer Description Overview

Diamond Peaks Mountain Bike Patrol volunteers patrol City of Fort Collins Natural Areas and Larimer County Open Spaces on bike. Must be a member of the Overland Mountain Bike Association. More information here: OMBA - Diamond Peaks

Volunteer Ranger Assistants (VRAs) serve as a visible presence in the City of Fort Collins Natural Areas and at Larimer County Parks and Open Spaces to enhance the experiences of trail users by providing information, site monitoring, and visitor assistance. VRAs work through the Ranger programs to respond to questions and inquiries, monitor trails, parks, open spaces and natural areas for visitor safety and resource protection, assess timing and types of recreational uses, administer user surveys, and alert rangers to situations that require staff attention. VRA’s may hike, bike, or ride their own horse.