Desert Parks &
Mountain Preserves

Volunteer Opportunities

ABOUT US

The Desert Parks and Mountain Preserves Volunteer Program provides a great opportunity for concerned citizens and organizations to get involved with their community. Volunteers help the City fulfill it's commitment to maintain and preserve the natural beauty of its mountain preserves and open spaces. Each year volunteers contribute thousands of hours and give invaluable assistance in the conservation of our desert and preserves.

Join our team of dedicated volunteers; share your time and talents; gain
new skills as you work with our natural resource professionals and meet
people who, like you, are dedicated to conservation.

The Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department is responsible for maintaining and preserving over 29,000 acres of public land.

Acres Mountain Preserves 23,551 Desert Parks 5,230 Rio Salado 595 Total 29,376*

Ranger Carlos demonstrates the proper use of tools

Volunteer Opportunities

INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTEER 
Training is provided for all volunteers to acquaint them with the park and their specific duties. Some positions require specialty skills and/or certifications (ie. Youth sports coach, teen volunteer).
Click here for Individual Application

GROUP/ORGANIZATION
Community service project groups comprised of members from an organization, employer, or neighborhood group. The group assigns an official contact for communication and coordination with the Natural Resources Division.
Click here for Group/Organization application

SPECIAL EVENT / ACTIVITY VOLUNTEER
Volunteering for a single, specific event or activity. This is an ideal situation for folks with limited time, "first time" volunteers, family and youth. E-mail us at alonso.avitia@phoenix.gov and register to receive information via e-mail on our special events throughout the year.
Click here for SPECIAL EVENT/ACTIVITY Application

Arbor Day, 2006 Desert West Park

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What it takes to be a volunteer

We always have a need for volunteers and rely on the time and effort you give to our preserves and programs, so we ask that our volunteers be reliable and committed. Together we will work out a schedule that is mutually agreed upon before you start. Job duties will be matched to your interests and abilities.

Whether it's working towards making our city a better place, setting a good example for our children, sharing our time and expertise or a desire to learn more about our natural resources -everyone has something to offer.

Persons under 18 years of age may volunteer with written permission from their parent or guardian. The volunteer coordinator will secure a signed consent form from a youth volunteer (under age 18) prior to that volunteer initiating his/her position responsibility. Any volunteer position must comply with child labor laws, to include the limitations on hours worked and equipment used in the job. Parental Consent Form

More details on child labor laws can be researched at the State of Arizona web site at http://www.azleg.state.az.us/ars/23/title23.htm and the Federal web site at http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/youthlabor/index.html

A criminal background check including fingerprint check may be required.

Types of work performed include: trail construction and maintenance; trimming overgrown vegetation-operate weed eater, leaf blower, chain saw; park rule enforcement; painting trail signs/markers; lead tours and hikes; remove litter from hiking tails and common areas; greet guests; lead educational/recreational activities and projects; plant trees; youth sports coach.

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Park Steward

The aim of the Park Steward volunteer program is to give the community a sense of ownership of their Desert Parks and Mountain Preserves. The City of Phoenix Natural Resources Division is seeking a network of volunteer individuals who can help actively monitor and maintain the areas of land that we protect and preserve. With a limited number of Park Rangers on hand to manage the nearly 35,000 acres of public land, Park Stewards are a focal point for land stewardship. By becoming a Park Steward, you will come to learn how to “give back” to these beautiful areas that so many enjoy. Becoming a Park Steward also means having fun, learning new skills, and getting outside. For more information call: 602 534-6324.

What are the benefits of volunteering?

Volunteers give freely of their time and expertise in order to make a difference. They:

• learn new skills
• advance a worthy cause
  
• set a good example for our children
• gain work experience
• share their time and expertise
  
• build self-esteem
• improve health
• meet new people
• spread the word about the natural resources in Phoenix
• make a difference in someone's life
  
  For volunteer information and ongoing opportunities in the City of Phoenix, Parks and Recretion, please call:
• Northeast Division Office: (602) 262-6696
• Northwest Division Office: (602) 262-6575
• Central Division Office: (602) 262-6412
• South Division Office: (602) 262-6111
• Natural Resources Office: 602) 495-5458

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Scheduled Events
Each year the Natural Resources Division presents and supports a number of events. We could not do it with out our volunteer's support and sweat.

National Public Lands Day: Celebrate the splendor of Arizona's public lands by participating in National Public Lands Day on September 27, 2008. Federal, state, and local land agencies across the country will partner with non-profit agencies, businesses and caring citizens to improve and preserve our country's natural habitats. This year's event will be held at South Mountain Park/Preserve. To inquire about volunteer opportunities, call 602-534-7453.

National Parks America Tour: The National Parks America Tour is a volunteer-driven initiative designed to provide National Parks with manpower resources to complete important projects and engage communities in the park experience. Sponsored by Unilever, the National Park Foundation, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and Take Pride In America, the National Parks America Tour projects to donate more than 100,000 volunteer manpower hours to the National Park Service each year resulting in an annual in-kind donation of $1.7 million.

More than 300 people are expected to volunteer as Phoenix Mountain Preserve hosts the seventh annual National Parks America Tour event. Date to be determined in March of 2007.


*figure does not include department-owned land not yet developed for public use. Including land purchased for the future Sonoran Preserve, the total preserve/desert park acreage is 31,276.