Working Locally
In the aftermath of the Southern California 2003 wildfires, concerned residents of Southern California wanted to do something to help heal the charred landscape. In January 2004, Take Pride in America launched a campaign to help recruit volunteers. To better manage this influx of volunteers, the Forest Service established the Southern California National Forests Volunteer Program.
It takes the knowledge, creativity, passion and helping hands of many people to best care for our public lands.This program helps organize and support the individual efforts of the volunteer coordinators on the Angeles, Cleveland, Los Padres, and San Bernardino National Forests, connecting the people of Southern California to the great volunteer opportunities these coordinators have created.
Click on the links below for contacts, tools, and resources we’ve developed for enhancing your work with volunteers.
Who’s Coordinating Volunteers on the Southern California National Forests
List of Forest Service Coordinators and Nonprofit Partners
Helping Spread the Word about Volunteer Opportunities
The Volunteer Opportunity Guide includes a listing of local volunteer organizations, upcoming events, and stories to inspire new volunteers. Download the guide [PDF, 1.46 MB, 4 11x17 pages]. For printed copies, contact a Forest Service Volunteer Coordinator. The Communications Plan outlines effective ways to reach out to potential volunteers.
Annual Volunteer Events
The Southern California National Forests chose National
Trails Day® and National Public Lands Day as their annual volunteer events. On these days, volunteers will be invited to participate in projects on all four Southern California National Forests.
References
Need some ideas for how better to do project planning, recruitment, coordination, or recognition? There are many websites with great information available that can help you make the most of your volunteer program. Visit the Partnership Resource Center Volunteer page »
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Special Event Organizing Handbook [PDF, 36 pages, 744KB]: Although originally developed for organizing National Trails Day and National Public Lands Day events in Southern California, the information and planning tools in this handbook can be used as a model for planning nearly any special event.
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Student Conservation Association Volunteer Management Team Operations Handbook [PDF, 35 pages, 266KB]: This handbook was developed for Forest Service staff who utilize SCA interns as project leaders.
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Strategic Communication Plan, Southern California National Forests Volunteer Program [PDF, 13 pages, 92KB]: The plan outlines methods for raising awareness about the Southern California National Forests Volunteer Program and expands volunteer activities in the national forests.
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Southern California Final Accomplishment Report [PDF, 38 pages, 814KB]: This report gives an overview of operations and workflow of the Southern California National Forests Volunteer Program and summarizes the projects completed in 2004/2005.
Expanding the Circle
The Newsletter of the Southern California National Forest Volunteer Program.
- May 2005 [PDF, 188 kb, 5 pages]
- April 2005 [PDF, 145 kb, 4 pages]
- March 2005 [PDF, 114 kb, 5 pages]
- January 2005 [PDF, 182 kb, 4 pages]
- November 2004 [PDF, 483 kb, 4 pages]
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