Volunteer with OSMP

Adaptive recreation volunteers will support outreach staff by assisting with adaptive programming for people with disabilities. Programming to include, but not limited to wheelchair hikes and all-terrain handcycle rides for both people with disabilities and people just wanting to have a better understanding of disabilities. There may be some assembling/disassembling of wheelchairs for transport, basic handcycle maintenance, and lifting involved.
Program currently full.

Volunteers have been helping Open Space and Mountain Parks staff care for healthy ecosystems for many years. Agricultural monitoring supports staff knowledge of soil and plant health on agriculture properties. The data collected in this project will inform sustainable decision making regarding grazing, crop rotation and other integrated management practices.
Program currently full.

Open Space Bat monitors head out at dusk to ponds and bat roost sites, performing auditory and visual bat population counts May through September. Most sites involve a hike into the spot. You will be hiking back out in the dark! Each month you and your partner will spend 2 consecutive nights at your site monitoring for 2 hours (plus hike time). Information gathered aids resource conservation decisions and adds to our over 30 years of monitoring data. Training is provided.
Program currently full.

The Boulder Mountain Bike Patrol is a multi-agency program with the City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP), Boulder County Parks and Open Space (BCPOS), U.S. Forest Service (USFS), City of Boulder Parks and Recreation, and Boulder Mountainbike Alliance (BMA). Patrollers ride trails, assisting and educating mountain bikers and other park users. The goal is to promote a positive recreational experience on the trails. All volunteers are required to attend a one day training. Volunteers may contact patrol@bouldermountainbike.org with questions.
Recruiting in Spring 2025.

Are you interested in helping others learn about how to responsibly hike with their dog? Do you hike with your dog on OSMP trails and feel you can mentor responsible behavior for other trail users? Then the OSMP volunteer Dog Ambassador program might be for you - this is a unique opportunity to get out and volunteer with your furry companion, focused on modeling appropriate dog/guardian behavior, educating visitors about the voice and sight program, and sharing canine related safety and land stewardship considerations.
Recruiting in Fall 2025.

Are you passionate about the outdoors? Are you excited to connect children to nature?

Volunteer Education Naturalists lead fun and engaging hikes and classroom programs that foster children and youth connection to learning in and stewardship of the natural world. Volunteer Naturalists frequently visit local schools for in-class programs, in addition to leading outdoor educational experiences throughout the OSMP trail system. With access to many different OSMP educational props and outlines, Volunteer Naturalists are able to give back to their community by teaching the next generation of Boulder’s learners.
Recruiting in Fall 2025 for Winter 25/26 training.

Maintain the Ann Armstrong Memorial Native Garden at the Chautauqua Ranger Cottage while learning how to cultivate many kinds of Colorado wildflowers, shrubs and other native plants. Volunteers provide information on native gardening to curious visitors. Minimal gardening experience necessary.
Recruiting in Spring 2025.

The Native Seed Collection Volunteer Lead directly supports Native Seed Collection One-Day Volunteer Projects (ODVP). This position provides Volunteer Services and Resource Staff support at Seed Collection Projects. This role is committed to July until November. Select projects occur during weekday mornings.
Program currently full.

Volunteers appointed by City Council research issues, advise on policy, and recommend purchases of properties. This assignment requires application through the City of Boulder.

Please visit the Open Space Board of Trustees page for more information.

Beginning in 1985, Volunteer Raptor Monitors have helped protect important nesting sites along the Front Range by providing weekly observation reports to OSMP staff throughout the breeding season (February through July). Volunteer raptor monitors conduct site visits that frequently last several hours at a time, observing raptor behavior, nest status, and fledgling activity. This information is utilized by OSMP ecologists to make resource management decisions. Additionally, Raptor Monitors are trained on how to efficiently report any closure violations they observe, further protecting raptor nest viability. Volunteers commit to a minimum of 4 hours per week during the breeding season, and agree to keep nesting site locations and status confidential.
Program currently full.

Invasive weeds can degrade habitat, reduce plant and animal diversity and alter ecosystem balance. Addressing weed management early and often is key to conserving sustainable open lands. Volunteers assist land managers with assigned mechanical eradication efforts as a part of an integrated land management plan. Resource Restoration Stewards make a seasonal commitment in their designated area. Volunteers work independently on a schedule that is convenient to them.
Program currently full.

OSMP Trail Ambassadors enhance and promote positive visitor experiences. They provide visitors with information on recreation, natural and cultural history, safety, regulations and more. Trail Ambassadors assist visitors in need and serve as extra eyes and ears on the OSMP system.
Recruiting in Fall 2025.

Visitor Ambassadors greet and assist visitors at Chautauqua Ranger Cottage, Flagstaff Nature Center, Chautauqua Trailhead, and occasionally at other OSMP trailheads and events. (You can choose to work at one location or various.) Some Ambassador work is done alongside staff and other times on your own or with other volunteers. Ambassadors provide information on OSMP natural and cultural resources, trails and directions, safety considerations and hiking tips and observe and report visitor issues and inquiries.
Recruiting in Spring 2025.

Event photographer volunteers capture photographic images during volunteer project events to help support future media and messaging.
Program currently full.