Get Involved: Natural Areas

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

Compelling images help tell the story of the natural areas in communications materials - from printed publications to online resources. Volunteers who donate their time and photos are important to the success of natural areas. 

Stewardship volunteers support the Natural Areas' mission by directly helping on outdoor stewardship projects and community science efforts that help manage, restore, and monitor our natural areas. You’ll receive requests to assist with a variety of hands on volunteer opportunities including: plantings, restoration work, target species monitoring, trail building and maintenance, trash cleanups, and more.  

City of Fort Collins and Larimer County Volunteer Naturalists are volunteers that: 

• provide original public activities for the community based on our area’s unique natural and cultural resources. 

• welcome visitors to Natural Areas and Open Spaces 

• share practical stewardship tips for these special places 

 Volunteer Naturalists care about natural areas and have fun sharing their enthusiasm with others. During the training, presentations by staff, field trips, and opportunities to practice techniques provide naturalist trainees with the skills they need to lead fun, fact-filled, and meaningful programming for all ages.   

*This is a joint role that serves both Fort Collins and Larimer County properties.*

Volunteer Naturalist Assistants (VNA) serve as important aids to Naturalists. VNAs assist with group management, props, and activities.  

Naturalists provide educational programs on the natural areas to members of the community. Often groups are large, the outings take place in remote areas, or the activities are complex, and Naturalists need a helping hand. This is where the VNA comes in. VNAs also help staff booths at community events. Volunteering as a Naturalist Assistant is a good way to take an active role in the education programs without the time commitment or specialized training required of Naturalists. It’s also a great way to gain experience in interpretation, natural history, and group management. 

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.