Volunteer with FSVA!
Chances are you’ve run into one of our Volunteer Wilderness Patrol or Equestrian Rangers on the trail, or visited a Fire Lookout Volunteer at one of our towers - but did you know that you could become a volunteer yourself?
We have several volunteer opportunities that range from Wilderness or Equestrian Patrol Rangers and Fire Lookout Volunteers to working with the public at the Ranger Station (and more!). In 2024, training for new Fire Lookout Volunteers takes place on May 4th and 11th. The deadline to RSVP for Fire Lookout training is before March 01, 2024. Our Wilderness Ranger training class for the 2024 season is full. If there are changes later in the year and we open back up for trainees, we’ll note it here, otherwise, please consider applying in December, 2024 for the 2025 season.
Front Desk/Interpretative (if you are very knowledgeable with Idyllwild and the surrounding forest and wilderness areas) and Equestrian Ranger volunteer opportunities are still available.
Volunteer Wilderness Ranger
Volunteer Wilderness Ranger Key Purposes:
to educate the visitors about Forest Service lands and protection of Wilderness.
to serve as the eyes and ears of the Forest Service.
to help preserve the Wilderness by maintaining trails and campsites, and reporting any problems we encounter.
Volunteer Wilderness Ranger Duties:
The FSVA Wilderness Ranger patrols through a wide range of interconnected trails in the National Forest Wilderness and non-wilderness areas, sometimes spending one or more nights in the forest. From gorgeous flower covered meadows and grasslands of Garner Valley to the tree enshrouded wilderness trails of the high country, our Wilderness Rangers can be found hiking the hundreds of miles of trails from Cahuilla mountain all the way up to Tahquitz Peak and beyond. All training and volunteer work will be done on the San Jacinto Ranger District in the San Bernardino National Forest between Palm Springs Banning and Hemet California.
Volunteer Wilderness Ranger Patrols in the National Forest involve multiple duties including:
Assist forest visitors
Count the number of visitors
Check permits and note violations
Potential cross-country patrol of backcountry
Illegal fire ring removal
Make sure camp sites are being used properly
Trail maintenance & trash removal
Volunteer cross-cut saw crew
Maintain Forest Service presence
Pack in services for research, historical and some non-profit organizations
Assist with yearly prescribed studies and surveys as part of the management plans for the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa Wilderness areas.
Volunteer Wilderness Ranger Patrol Requirements:
Access to your own hiking gear including weather appropriate clothing, especially if volunteering for winter patrol of high country.
Your own transportation to the trailhead.
Adequate hiking experience and training. Must be comfortable with hiking steep mountainous and varied terrain that may be encountered. This experience will be assessed during training period.
Be able to purchase the official Forest Service shirt (unless we have used shirts which are free), and badges (Volunteer Badge & Nameplate) after your tag-along interest hike. After you finish your training, all volunteers are expected to be able to patrol a minimum of once a month during the non-winter season (April thru November); or 8 patrols; or the equivalent number of hours during the year, volunteering approximately 80 hours a year.
Volunteer Wilderness Ranger Training Program:
The first step required to become an FSVA Wilderness Ranger is to attend the Wilderness Ranger orientation meeting in March. You must submit an application then RSVP prior to attending this event, then:
Hike along with a current FSVA (Forest Service Volunteer Association) Ranger for a day
Hike a minimum of 4 comprehensive training hikes with experienced rangers - about 8 hours each hike
1 day working at the ranger station front desk or at Humber Park trail heads - 8 hours
Yearly re-certification training day participation - 8 hours
FIRE LOOKOUT VOLUNTEER
FIRE LOOKOUT VOLUNTEER Key Purposes:
to help preserve the Wilderness by watching for wildfires, and reporting any smokes encountered.
to serve as the eyes and ears of the Forest Service.
to educate the visitors about Fire Lookout Towers and protection of Wilderness and surrounding forests.
FIRE LOOKOUT VOLUNTEER Duties:
The FSVA Fire Lookout Volunteer scans the National Forest Wilderness and non-wilderness areas, looking for signs of wildfire, sometimes spending one or more nights in the forest. All training and volunteer work will be done on the San Jacinto Ranger District in the San Bernardino National Forest at Tahquitz Peak Fire Lookout or Black Mountain Fire Lookout.
FIRE LOOKOUT VOLUNTEERs in the National Forest involve multiple duties including:
Scan and report smokes
Measure and report weather conditions
Answer questions from tower visitors
Maintain Forest Service presence
FIRE LOOKOUT VOLUNTEER Requirements:
Your own transportation to the trailhead or Black Mountain tower. High clearance vehicles are recommended for Black Mountain.
For Tahquitz Peak Fire Lookout: Access to your own hiking gear including weather appropriate clothing. Adequate hiking experience and training. Must be comfortable with hiking steep mountainous and varied terrain that may be encountered. This experience will be assessed during training period.
Be able to purchase the official Forest Service shirt (unless we have used shirts which are free), and Volunteer Nameplate after your initial training. After you finish your training, all volunteers are expected to be able to work a minimum of once a month during the season (Memorial Day thru November); or 6 sessions; or the equivalent number of hours during the year, volunteering approximately 51 hours a year in the tower.
FIRE LOOKOUT VOLUNTEER Training Program:
The first step required to become a FSVA Fire Lookout Volunteer is to attend the mandatory training which is usually scheduled in April prior to the start of the season.
A minimum of 2 in-tower training sessions with the tower leader.
Yearly re-certification training day participation - 3 hours
Volunteer Equestrian Ranger
Volunteer Equestrian Ranger Duties:
The FSVA Equestrian Ranger patrols a wide range of interconnected trails in the National Forest Wilderness area, sometimes spending one or more nights in the forest. From gorgeous flower covered meadows and grasslands of Garner Valley to the to tree enshrouded wilderness trails of the high country, our Equestrian rangers can be found on the hundreds of miles of trails from Cahuilla mountain all the way up to Devil’s Slide and beyond.
Equestrian Trail Patrols in the National Forest involve multiple duties including:
Assist forest visitors
Count the number of visitors
Check permits and note violations
Make sure camp sites are being used properly
Trail maintenance & trash removal
Pack in services for research, historical and some non-profit organizations
Maintain Forest Service presence
Volunteer Equestrian Ranger Requirements:
Access to your own horse
Transportation for your own horse to the trailhead
Adequate experience and training for rider and horse. Must be comfortable with trail riding on mountainous and varied terrain that may be encountered. This experience will be tested.
Horse that is not likely to shy or react violently to the close presence of other horses, rangers and/or hikers.
NOTE: this is a volunteer position and the resources are to be provided by the volunteer.
Volunteer Equestrian Ranger Training Program:
New ranger orientation and training is provided annually.
In-service training is also provided.
ranger station/interpretive volunteer
Ranger Station Volunteer Duties:
Volunteers may work in the Idyllwild Forest Service office helping visitors complete visitor passes, selling books, maps, and pamphlets, directing visitors to trails and camp sites and may be called on to perform general office work.
Volunteers may also desire to become interpretive speakers. These individuals lead adults, children and groups through areas of the forest pointing out the various fauna and flora. Interpretive speakers will spend several hours learning the specifics of the San Jacinto Wilderness.
Ranger Station Volunteer Requirements:
Transportation to the Ranger Station
Adequate Experience and training. Must be comfortable dealing with the public and learning about and answering questions about local trails, and campsites and conditions.
Ranger Station Volunteer Program:
5 in–station training days
Yearly recertification training day participation
Other Opportunities: we are open to working with you to help you use your skills and talents to help out the forest. Please contact FSVA.info@gmail.com for inquiries about other opportunities to help out.
get involved
There's no better way to make an impact than to become an active volunteer yourself. Become an advocate for preserving and enjoying the San Jacinto Wilderness!