Volunteering

Over 137,000 people volunteered in our National Parks last year, for a total of 5.2 million hours.  In California parks there were 40,000 volunteers contributing over 1 million hours.  Portland’s Forest Park had more than 1,000 volunteers and the Cascades Raptor Center thrives because of the benefit of 10 full-time equivalent volunteer workers.  Those are just a few examples of the work contributed in one year.

One of my favorite boating trips was a river clean-up.  It sounds like work, which we did, but it felt more like a party with friends.

There are many fun and fulfilling volunteer events listed on NatureFind, and feel free to add your organization’s opportunities.

And many thanks to those of you who have volunteered to support our country’s great nature places and events.