Volunteer Opportunities

For more information contact: Leana at (858) 674-2275, ext. 14

Help Give Back to Your River Park

We have many volunteer opportunities for all ages and increasing levels of involvement. Please scroll down to look at One-Time Projects, Recurring Monthly Projects, Recurring Weekly Projects, and Other Volunteer Opportunities

ONE TIME PROJECTS
Eagle Scout/Gold Award Scout Projects
The River Park’s comprehensive Scout program helps guide scouts to complete projects that provide a real lasting benefit to the community and a solid learning experience for the scout.

Special Events
Please check our activities calendar for upcoming special
volunteer events.
Contact Interpretive Ranger Leana Bulay 858-674-2275 x 14 to set up a work party for your organization.

CITO Events: From www.geocaching.com/cito "Cache in Trash Out" is an ongoing environmental initiative supported by the worldwide geocaching community. Since 2002, geocachers around the world have been dedicated to improving parks and other cache-friendly places. Through these volunteer efforts, we help preserve the natural beauty of our outdoor resources!" Geocachers seeking approval of a CITO event in the San Dieguito River Park, please fill out our application form.

RECURRING MONTHLY PROJECTS

Trail Restoration
2nd Sunday of each month, 8-11 a.m.
Locations vary - check the Activities Calendar for this month's location.
Work with the Rangers to improve the trails in the River Park! Unmaintained trails can quickly become rutted, unstable or eroded and are generally unpleasant to hike, bike or ride a horse on. Tasks can include clearing and creating drainages, filling ruts, trimming plants, weed whipping overgrown areas, resurfacing trails, etc.
Click here to watch a trail maintenance training video about the type of work that is performed (this video was produced by the Santa Monica Mountains Trails Council).
Water, snacks, tools and gloves will be provided, but feel free to bring your own!


Habitat Restoration
3rd Saturday of each month, 8-11 a.m.
Locations vary - check the Activities Calendar for this month's location.
Work with the Rangers to improve wildlife habitat in the River Park for endangered species! Tasks can include weeding, mulching and watering native plants, planting native plants, trimming plants, plant propagation, collecting seed, etc. .
Water, snacks, tools and gloves will be provided, but feel free to bring your own!

WATER QUALITY TESTING
at the San Dieguito Lagoon Urban Runoff Treatment Ponds
We are looking for Citizen Scientists to perform water quality monitoring at the San Dieguito Lagoon Water Treatment Ponds. We have partnered with San Diego Coastkeeper for special training of volunteers.
Testing occurs monthly. Check the Activities Calendar for details.

SAN DIEGUITO RIVER VALLEY CONSERVANCY HABITAT RESTORATION
Check Activities Calendar for details.

RECURRING WEEKLY PROJECTS

DUST-DEVILS

Want to get up close and personal with the dirt and plants of the River Park? Join the team of Dust Devils who work side by side with Park Rangers and provide invaluable help with hands-on projects throughout the Park. This is a great way to learn more about the inner workings of the Park. We have a Dust-Devil volunteer group at our coastal site and another at theSan Pasqual Valley site.
Tuesdays and Fridays
8 a.m - 12 p.m. - Meet at Park HQ, San Pasqual Valley
9 a.m. - 12 p.m. - Meet at Coastal Office at the San Dieguito Lagoon
Contact Interpretive Ranger Leana Bulay if you are interested.

VOLUNTEER PATROL
Do you like to hike, mountain bike, or ride your horse through unique and beautiful open spaces? The San Dieguito River Park's Volunteer Patrol Members monitors trails, reports incidents and emergencies, shares park policies with visitors, and provides general park information to the public. Trainings are typically held in the Fall.

RIVER VALLEY GUIDE

Are you an enthusiastic, dedicated people-person who likes to teach others while enjoying the outdoors? We want you to lead hikes for the San Dieguito River Park! No previous experience is necessary. Upon acceptance, you will receive the training you need. Class sessions will cover the basics of interpretation, plants, birds and other wildlife of the San Dieguito River Valley, how the Native Americans used native plants, the history of battles and later settlement of the valley, wetland habitat, first aid, and other relevant and interesting information.

SIKES ADOBE HISTORIC FARMHOUSE DOCENTS

Click here to go to the Sikes Adobe Historic Farmhouse page.

OTHER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

The River Park can greatly benefit from experienced retired professionals in such areas as GIS, Mapping, Resource Management, Marketing and Advertising, Office Management, Grant Writing, Development, and many other areas. Do you have ideas about how your skills can help support the River Park? Let’s talk!

Interested in learning more about any of these volunteer opportunities? Apply online or email us at leana@sdrp.org

Please contact Leana Bulay at (858) 674-2275 x14 for more information.

Back to Top of Page.