Volunteer

Many of our projects and events would not happen without volunteer support! Volunteers help us leverage our resources and accomplish a greater array and breadth of results and experiences than staff alone could manage. 

From guided hikes to restoration projects, volunteers contribute to the achievement of our goals and create opportunities for people to connect with one another and care for the land that sustains us – now and forever. 

There are many ways to create impact by investing your time and talent!

Volunteer Application

Volunteer Opportunities

Impact: Contributes to our mission by caring for our community’s natural resources and increasing our visibility. Placer Land Trust is a proud participant in CalTrans Adopt-A-Highway program and have adopted the section of Highway 49 from Borland Avenue to Old Foresthill Rd (top of the American River Canyon to the river crossing). It is a scenic stretch of highway that gets a lot of use and visibility, so we want to make sure it stays clean. 

Time commitment: Once a month on a weekday morning and encourage monthly attendance once you join the crew. A brief video training prior to the first day is required of all participants.  

Is this for you? This is a great opportunity for adults interested in taking care of the beautiful Auburn State Recreation Area and helping to create greater awareness of Placer Land Trust. 

Impact: Ambassadors help bring Placer Land Trust’s message and work to a wider audience and inspire them to get involved in land protection. Opportunities include hosting information tables at community festivals and events, as well as helping at Placer Land Trust fundraising or other outreach activities. These volunteer opportunities are a fun and impactful way to engage with the community and help us reach more people than we can alone. 

Time commitment: Occasional basis, mostly weekends but sometimes during the week as well. The Spring and Fall tend to be the most active times of the year. 

Is this for you? No prior experience is necessary; we provide all the training and information you’ll need! We welcome high-school aged youth and adults. Most important is your ability to engage with people and share your enthusiasm and passion for Placer Land Trust’s mission. 

Impact: Show the love to protected land. Our staff sometimes needs large-scale volunteer support to help clear invasive species, restore oak habitat, or do other projects on our preserves. 

Time commitment: Occasional basis, 1-2 times/year or as needed.

Is this for you? These are great opportunities for individuals, families, and small or large groups of kids and adults to make a difference in our treasured landscape.

Are you a corporation or community group that is looking for a day for your group to give back? We may have an opportunity for you. On occasion we can accommodate groups of 10-20 volunteers to help us remove invasive species or do other projects on our preserves. Please contact Eden via email and let us know what you are looking for. It’s helpful for us to know your preferred date(s) and time(s), number of people you may have, type of group you are, and any special interest or skills of the group. Thanks in advance for your interest!

Impact: All forms of help are important to make sure our mission gets fulfilled. Don’t want to get dirty? Several times a year we need help stuffing envelopes, filing, doing research projects, or making phone calls. Our office is a fun place to get to know the people behind the emails and phone calls who make the day-to-day work of Placer Land Trust happen.

Time commitment: Occasional basis, as needed, generally during weekdays. Let us know if you are interested in a regular schedule – that might also be a possibility!

Is this for you? Perfect for those who want to support Placer Land Trust in an office setting. We welcome high-school aged youth and adults.

Impact: Helps connect community with the beauty and enjoyment of our protected preserves. Our most active group are hike docents who lead groups of people on outdoor adventures throughout the year, such as monthly public hikes on our preserves, occasional specialty outings such as wildflower viewing or full moon hikes, and occasional private hikes for groups.  

Time commitment:  Hike Docent positions require a minimum commitment of one year and lead/assist a minimum of three events a year. Each calendar year, we provide the required training for new hike docents, with follow-up field training that usually takes up to one year to build the knowledge and confidence to lead our hikes and adventures! 

Is this for you? This opportunity is great for adults who are in fit shape, are available especially on the weekends, who enjoy talking to people and sharing knowledge about the natural world with others. Because orientation training is required and targeted, we are only able to accept new docents once a year. Please let us know if you’re interested in learning more, or in joining the team when there are openings.  

Impact: Help steward the lands in our care and keep our trails safe and enjoyable for recreation. Preserve Stewards put a lot of grit, sweat, and laughs into their volunteer work on our preserves. Under the supervision of a Placer Land Trust staff person, Preserve Stewards may be asked to work on a variety of tasks, from removal of invasives to planting of seedlings, from maintaining an existing trail to building out a new trail…you get the picture. 

Time commitment: Participate at least a few times a year on regular workdays held during the week; schedule may vary. Orientations are held for interested new volunteers a few times throughout the year.  

Is this for you? This volunteer opportunity is excellent for adults who like to work outdoors, are comfortable using loppers, shovels, McLeods, saws, and more. Experienced chain saw users are a plus!

Impact: Placer Land Trust has a large trail maintenance and trail-building effort underway on its properties in North Auburn, and is creating a dedicated volunteer team to make improvements, repairs, and new alignments to existing and new trail networks for hiking/running, mountain biking, and equestrian use!

Placer Land Trust is looking for enthusiastic volunteers who enjoy outdoor labor and are comfortable using basic trail work hand tools. Trail building experience is a bonus; but a willingness to learn techniques and skills is all that is required. A basic trail work orientation and all necessary tools will be provided.

Time commitment: Trail Steward workdays are two per month, one weekend day and one week day. Volunteers will be informed in advance of the project location and scope, as well as the hours expected. Generally, workdays start in the morning between 8-9 a.m. and go until noon. Some projects may extend through the afternoon depending on logistics or complexity.

Is this for you? This volunteer opportunity is excellent for adults who like to work outdoors, are comfortable using tools, and like to be part of a collaborative team. Previous experience is not required but the following qualities are desired:

  • Training and experience with trail maintenance or construction.
  • First aid qualification, e.g., Wilderness First Aid, CPR.
  • Problem-solving, dependable, organized.

We periodically have openings on the following:

  • Board of Directors – Placer Land Trust’s governing body that supports and oversees our activities and strategies
  • Community Council – A volunteer-led advisory group to promote and increase support for Placer Land Trust’s mission and raise awareness of conservation in the region
Volunteer Application

For more information on these opportunities, please contact Eden Rock by email, or by phone at (530) 887-9222.

PatchWorks

Did you know? When you make a difference by volunteering Placer Land Trust – it will give you all the feels, PLUS you can receive an awesome shopping discount at BriarPatch Food Co-op as a bonus! 

We are proud to partner with BriarPatch Food Co-op as a PatchWorks Nonprofit Neighbor. Folks who are BriarPatch Owners and Placer Land Trust volunteers can earn up to two 15% shopping discounts each month when they enroll in the PatchWorks volunteer program. To enroll, click here.

Questions? Ask Eden.

PatchWorks Volunteer Timesheet (PDF)

Header photo: Mark Rideout