VOLUNTEER
WILDERNESS RANGERS
Join our team of Trailhead Hosts and Trail Patrollers.
What do Wilderness Rangers Do?
Volunteer Wilderness Rangers are people just like you, interested in being outdoors and protecting wild spaces! We are official partners of the USFS, and are a friendly presence on the trails and/or hosting tables at the trailhead. We wear a USFS uniform and gently engage with the public; we are able to direct a visitor to the right trail, steer them away from trouble spots, and educate them about the Wilderness. We also document various information, including the number of hikers we encounter and trails conditions, to help the USFS. We ask that each VWR commit to 4 sessions per summer, each about 3-4 hours.
How Do I Become a Wilderness Ranger?
Becoming a VWR is a fun and painless process! We hold one training day annually on a Saturday in late May/early June. We will ask you to watch some online videos as well, to supplement training. We will also pair you with a VWR Mentor, an experienced volunteer, who you will get to hike/host with as your first outing. Please read our Welcome Letter and Sign Up Here! If you have any questions, please contact Mike Browning (mfbrowning1952@gmail.com).
Why Should I Join ESWA as a VWR?
Being a VWR is a great opportunity to do what you already love (be outdoors!) and be able to GIVE BACK to the nature that sustains us. We are an extension of the USFS to protect our public Wilderness land and its visitors, and your presence truly matters. You will be joining a community of like-minded people, with extensive collective knowledge, of this area and outdoor activities. Hear from our members:
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“Being a VWR gives me the opportunity to learn about my backyard, and also teach others. It is really important to me to be involved in my local community and do meaningful work – really glad to be part of this organization that has been protecting Wilderness for 30+ years!”
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“Volunteering with ESWA instills a deep sense of purpose – protecting wild spaces and guiding people to stay on the trails.”
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“I worked at Lake Charles a lot. Most people on the trail had no idea how threatened this area was by development and they loved hearing the story of citizens working together to save it. Letting them know the history and the importance of individual action was very gratifying, and made a big impression on them.”
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“We hiked some beautiful trails and met some really wonderful people from all over the world.”
VWR Trailhead Host
VWR Trailhead Hosts post themselves at a trailhead to educate people who are beginning their hike into the Wilderness. They report various trail head statistics.
VWR Patroller
VWR Patrollers sign up for hikes on popular trails and educate the people they encounter about Leave No Trace and the Wilderness. They report various statistics at the end of their hike.
VWR Llama Trips
VWRs can participate in ESWA's overnight Llama trips into the Wilderness. During these trips, they educate people and perform trail work like eliminating illegal fire rings. See the Events Page for upcoming Llama Trips.
