Get Involved

Volunteering offers a unique opportunity to connect with nature, gain hands-on conservation experience, and make a tangible difference in the health and beauty of our natural areas and trail system. 

Partnership with Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado

Greeley Natural Areas and Trails has partnered with Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) to host the Weld County Volunteer and Partnership Coordinator. This Coordinator connects Greeley residents with outdoor volunteer opportunities. Partnering helps both organizations leverage limited resources. Working together allows us to make the most significant impact possible in local communities. Learn more about the innovative partnership office model. 

Volunteer Events

Trail Maintenance| Gateway Lakes Natural Area and Homestead Park

Saturday, June 15

Volunteers will collaborate with the City of Greeley Natural Area and Trails staff to provide maintenance, including improving crusher fine trails, closing social trails and more. Positioned between a shopping center and residential homes, this natural area is a favorite of residents. Participants must be 14 years or older.

Learn more and register.

 

Trail Rerouting | Firefly Trail at McCloskey Natural Area

Saturday, August 17

Join a team of 20 volunteers to assist in closing and rerouting a section of the Firefly Trail at the McCloskey Natural Area in Greeley. The current trail is too close to the wetland, potentially threatening critical riparian habitat. Together, volunteers will close off the portion of the trail encroaching on the wetland and construct a new, sustainable reroute further away. Participants must be 16 years old and older.

Learn more and register.

Trail Construction | Greeley's New Natural Area

Sunday, September 22

Volunteers will collaborate with the City of Greeley Natural Area and Trails staff to construct a sustainable multi-use trail. Following the natural area master plan, volunteers will implement the winning conceptual design chosen by the local community. 

Given its location and size, Greeley's newest natural area is expected to attract visitors across northern Colorado. With diverse users such as mountain bikers, birdwatchers, and hikers anticipated, this 978-acre property presents a blank canvas for recreation. Volunteers will play a pivotal role as the first to break ground on the trail construction, ensuring a sustainable trail system that requires minimal maintenance and allows users to enjoy it for years. Participants must be 14 years or older.  

Learn more and register.

Russian Olive Tree Removal | Tripple Creek Natural Area

Saturday, October 12

Volunteers will trim the bottom 3-5 feet of each tree using hand tools such as loppers and hand saws. Sawyers will follow behind with chainsaws to remove the trees. The City of Greeley Natural Area and Trails Division will apply herbicide to the stumps to prevent future growth. Additionally, the Forestry Division will provide a chipper, and volunteers will assist by swamping for sawyers and chipping. Participants must be 18 years or older.

Learn more and register.

 

Ongoing Opportunities

Are you looking for a way to get involved but can’t commit to set times? Check out these opportunities!

Trail Ambassador

Volunteer Trail Ambassadors collaborate with the community by proactively reducing social and environmental impacts on the heavily trafficked trails, natural areas and open spaces in Greeley and Weld County. 

Questions? Email trails@greeleygov.com.

More information.

Weed Warrior

The City of Greeley Natural Areas & Trails Division manages 2,000 acres of designated natural areas. Many sites have invasive weed species growing in them. Interested volunteers will receive training on identifying and managing several of these species and how to record the information for land management planning. Volunteers will be equipped with materials, tools, and supplies to go out independently to locate and treat them in designated natural areas during the growing season. This allows citizens to actively participate in natural area stewardship on their own time by helping keep these ecosystems healthy and reporting any issues they see. The Weed Warrior program will take a break in 2024 and return in 2025.