Volunteer

Volunteers from Muir Woods Earth Day Gully stuffing at Cathedral Grove
Volunteers celebrating the 30th anniversary of Earth Day at Muir Woods (2022) (Photo Credit: NPS/Dan Friedman)
 

You Can Make A Difference…

Anyone can donate their time and effort to providing essential services at GGNRA. Volunteer opportunities at Golden Gate National Recreation Area are as diverse and abundant as the natural and cultural resources of the park.

Volunteers at Golden Gate play a vital role in almost all aspects of park operations:

  • Designing and leading tours for the general public.

  • Removing non-native plants, growing native plants, or working in one of the park's nurseries.

  • Cleaning up garbage and restoring historic structures and sites

  • Working with park scientists to protect endangered species and conduct scientific research

 

Each volunteer's contribution makes a big difference! Depending on the opportunity, volunteers may donate several months at a time or perhaps a few hours. Volunteers at Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Muir Woods National Monument, Alcatraz Island, Presidio of San Francisco, and Fort Point National Historic Site help present the diverse resources of one of America's most popular National Parks to today's visitors, and help preserve these precious resource for future generations.

 

Resources & Benefits

Join us, and become a part of one of the largest and most diverse volunteer programs in the National Park System.

  • Volunteers who earn 250 or more hours can receive a pass entitling them to free entry to all Federal lands for 12 months. The Volunteer Pass is honored nationwide at all National Park Service, Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service areas where standard amenity fees are charged.

  • Long term volunteer opportunities are offered by the National Park Service.

  • All volunteers receive orientation and training.

  • The National Park Service is an equal opportunity employer.

 
 

Resource Stewardship Scout Ranger

Scouts and Cub Scouts (boys, girls, and young adults) can participate in the Resource Stewardship Scout Ranger Program through a troop, event, travel, or camp experience, and will be awarded a program certificate and/or patch upon completion.

To earn a Scout Ranger certificate, Scouts should participate in organized education activities and/or volunteer service projects for a minimum of five (5) hours at one or more national parks.

To earn a Scout Ranger patch, Scouts should participate in organized educational activities or volunteer service projects for a minimum of ten (10) hours at one or more national parks. Examples of qualifying organized educational programs include the following:

  • Volunteer service
  • Ranger-guided interpretive tours
  • Junior Ranger programs
  • Environmental education programs
  • Any other official NPS education program (campfire program, ranger-led hike, etc.)

To connect with a park ranger and learn more about these opportunities please email: rebecca_au@nps.gov.

 
 

Current Volunteer Opportunities

 

Annual National Service Days:

Throughout the year, there are many ways you can get involved in volunteering at the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Here is a list of our key service days:

  • January: MLK Jr. Weekend of Service (January 12 - 15, 2024)
  • April
    • National Volunteer Week (April 21 - 27, 2024) and Earth Day (April 22, 2024)
    • Pollinator Week (June 17 - 23, 2024)
  • June: National Trails Day (June 1, 2024)
  • August: Great American Outdoors Day (August 4, 2024)
  • September: 9/11 Day of Service, California Coastal Cleanup Day (September 21, 2024), and National Public Lands Day (September 28, 2024)
 

Connect With Us:

Volunteers-In-Parks Program
201 Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA 94123

In collaboration with our partners at the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, we also host a variety of group volunteering and weekly volunteer programs. If you have inquiries regarding these programs, you can connect with us below:

For general inquires about the Volunteers-In-Parks Program at the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Fort Point National Historic Site, and Muir Woods National Monument e-mail us.

Last updated: December 15, 2023

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Building 201, Fort Mason

San Francisco, CA 94123-0022

Phone:

415-561-4700
United States Park Police Dispatch: Non-Emergency: 415-561-5505 Emergency: 415-561-5656

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