Get Involved
A Citizens’ Guide to National Forest Planning
From the USDA Forest Service
https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd520671.pdf (English)
https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd580841.pdf (en Español)
In 2012, the USDA Forest Service adopted an innovative new rule to guide land management planning in the National Forest System. The 2012 Planning Rule was a significant advance in citizen-based land management planning intended to benefit communities and to protect national important landscapes and resources. This citizens’ guide helps the public effectively navigate and get involved in the planning process.
At https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/planningrule/home, find out what Land Management Plans are in revision across the country by clicking on the map. Information about plans under revision pop up, including the forest website where you can learn more and find out about public meetings and how the public can comment.
Citizen Science
From the USDA Forest Service
https://www.fs.fed.us/working-with-us/citizen-science
Citizen science is sound science provided by you! Citizen science is when the public takes part in the scientific process, including forming research questions, collecting, analyzing, and making conclusions about data, or developing new technologies and applications. Anyone can be a citizen scientist; the best part about citizen science is that it can take place anywhere, whether it's in our national forests and grasslands or your own backyard!
Discover the Forest: More to Explore
From the USDA Forest Service and Ad Council
https://www.discovertheforest.org/more-to-explore/take-action/
Check out this web page for some great opportunities to get involved and help conserve our forests and grasslands!
Get to Know Program
https://www.gettoknow.ca/
The annual Get to Know Contest is an annual contest in which those under age 19 can submit their art, photos, writing, video, and music that has been inspired by nature. The motto of the Get to Know Program is “Connect. Create. Celebrate.” These words articulate their mission to foster connections to nature through the creative arts and to celebrate the fantastic work being done by youth in response to the environment and the need to understand and value nature.
iTree Teaching Resources
From the USDA Forest Service
https://www.itreetools.org/
For grades 3 – 12, i-Tree is a state-of-the-art, peer-reviewed software suite from the US Forest Service that provides urban forestry analysis and benefits assessment tools.
List of Citizen Science Projects
From Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_citizen_science_projects
Citizen science projects are activities sponsored by a wide variety of organizations so non-scientists can meaningfully contribute to scientific research.
National Public Lands Day
From the National Environmental Education Foundation
https://www.neefusa.org/npld/volunteers
On National Public Lands Day (the last Saturday in September), outdoor enthusiasts turn out in droves to give back to and enjoy their favorite outdoor places. Every day, natural disasters and extreme weather, human activities, and a host of other factors take their toll on our public lands, threatening the health and wellbeing of the people and wildlife who depend on them. Public land managers, volunteers, and others who steward these special places work tirelessly to restore these areas, make them more resilient to future threats, and ensure that people and wildlife continue to enjoy them for years to come.
Master Naturalist Programs by State
From Ecosystem Gardener
http://www.ecosystemgardening.com/master-naturalist-programs-by-state.html
Master Naturalists are trained to be stewards of our natural environment and to teach these skills to others. Almost every state in the United States has a Master Naturalist Program, often developed in conjunction with Universities and County Extension offices. These programs are similar to the Master Gardeners Programs around the country. Enrollees receive many hours of classroom and field instruction. Upon graduating from training, Master Naturalists are expected to complete a number of hours of volunteer service in their first year and 20 hours annually thereafter along with annual continuing education requirements.
USDA Forest Service: Volunteers
https://www.fs.fed.us/working-with-us/volunteers
Volunteer activities with the USDA Forest Service can be tailored to your specific talents and interests or you can take advantage of opportunities to learn new skills.
- Help manage campgrounds
- Interact with the public at visitor centers
- Help run events and lead projects, like National Public Lands Day
- Participate in Citizen Science projects
- Build trails
- Inventory wildlife and plants
- Serve as fire lookouts
- And much more
Volunteer.gov – America’s Natural and Cultural Resources Volunteer Portal
https://www.volunteer.gov/
Search this portal for volunteer positions and events benefitting our Nation’s resources.
Volunteer with Us
From the US National Park Service
https://www.nps.gov/getinvolved/volunteer.htm
The National Park Service offers a variety of volunteer opportunities for individuals and groups as part of the Volunteers-In-Parks program. Work behind the scenes or on the front line in positions ranging from a one-time service project/ volunteer event to a longer-term position, serving alongside park employees or with one of our many partner organizations. Opportunities are available at park locations throughout the United States.
Volunteers: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
https://www.fws.gov/volunteers/
Imagine banding birds at a national wildlife refuge, raising fish at a national fish hatchery, conducting wildlife surveys, leading a tour, or restoring fragile habitat. With close to 42,000 volunteers contributing in excess of 1.5 million hours, our volunteers perform a wide variety of tasks. Some work full-time, some just a few hours a week or month, or during a particular season or special event.
