This web site is currently being upgraded for an improved user experience. Several web pages will continue to retain the former user interface during this transition period.

Volunteering with San Mateo County Parks

Printer Friendly View

The San Mateo County Parks Department offers a variety of volunteer opportunities to people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.  The focus of volunteer projects is to assist Park Ranger staff with the preservation and protection of park facilities, parklands, and native plant and wildlife habitats.  Volunteers learn about their native environment and enjoy a sense of pride and participation in our County Parks.    The volunteer effort to build and protect our County Parks has doubled within the last five years with over thirty-thousand volunteer hours logged for 2003. Check out some of our current volunteer opportunities: Edgewood Park Volunteer Trail Patrol Program Volunteer Horse Patrol  Upcoming Events: (last updated 10/12/2008) Trail Days Saturday, December 6th, 2008 & Saturday, January 10th, 2009 Enjoy a day at beautiful Huddart Park in Woodside while helping to build a connecting trail. Where and when: Meet in Huddart Park's main parking lot at 8:30. The work will end at 3:00 p.m. What to bring: Wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and closed-toe shoes. Bring your own lunch. Tools will be provided. How to register: To register or for other info contact Carla Schoof, Volunteer Programs Coordinator, by email or phone, (650) 599-1306. If the weather looks questionable, check our status line, (650)599-7200, to see if the event is still on.  Below are some general areas where ongoing volunteer assistance is needed: Trail Patrols Hike trails and report any trail conditions that you feel Park Rangers should be made aware of such as fallen limbs or trees, overgrowth that narrows the trail, wildlife sightings, hazardous conditions, etc.  Public contact and providing park and trails information with trail users may also be part of this volunteer activity. Habitat Restoration Restore parklands that have been impacted or harmed by non-native plants and/or damaged by other events. Trail/Facility Maintenance Assist with the repair and upkeep of park picnic areas, tables, signs, fences, buildings, and other park facilities and structures. Park Docents (Environmental Education) Lead hikes for school groups and organizations.  Introduce visitors to the ecology and history of a park and encourage appreciation of our natural features. Visitor Services Staff reception desks at visitor centers and provide general park information to visitors. Community Outreach Assist staff with correspondence and mailings, visit schools and provide presentations and attend certain fairs to encourage volunteer recruitment and volunteer participation. Special Events Assist park staff with set-up and displays, represent park volunteers at booths, participate in special annual type events such as "Earth Day," "California Trails Day," San Mateo County Fair, Volunteer Recognition Events and Volunteer Training Workshops. Qualifications: Enjoy working outdoors Enjoy individual and group activities Enjoy participation in any needed training Enjoy the partnership of voluteerism and the environment For more information contact Carla Schoof, Volunteer Programs Coordinator, San Mateo County Parks Department, (650) 599-1306 or email cschoof@co.sanmateo.ca.us. Community Organizations - Below are some local organizations that also help in our county parks: Friends of Huddart and Wunderlich County Parks Friends of Fitzgerald Marine Reserve Friends of San Bruno Mountain State and County Park Friends of Edgewood County Park and Natural Preserve Folger Stable Friends of San Pedro Valley County Park