Back to Top
Overview //
Looking for a way to get more involved in your State Park? Join our Friends group to help make a positive difference at Bastrop and Buescher State Parks!Friends of the Lost Pines State Parks is a 501(c)(3) non-profit volunteer group that helps support the park in multiple ways. The purpose of Friends is to assist park staff in the management and conservation of the natural and cultural resources of Bastrop and Buescher State Parks, for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.Friends' support the parks by providing information about the Parks and their resources to the public; assisting and educating visitors to the Parks; fund-raising to support special projects or general operations for the Parks; and, other activities which contribute to the care and conservation of the Parks.All the money that is raised by the Friends' goes directly back into supporting the parks. Friends' fundraise money through firewood sales in both parks, canoe rentals at Buescher, Friends' membership dues and through donations. Volunteer opportunities: *Become a Board Member to help support the parks and organize volunteer events. *Take pictures of the parks and help with Friends' social media posts.*Help or conduct educational programs to the public*Canoe/paddle/life vest cleaning and upkeep. * Table at outreach events in the community*Help with special events in the park*Take free trainings offered by TPWD like Angler Education or Canoe/Kayaking certification to help with educational programs like Fishing or Canoeing 101. *Help with natural resource work like trail maintenance *Become a docent of the new nature center at Bastrop SP when it opens*Help with fundraising opportunities like firewood sales and canoe rentals*Attend meetings*Help plan and organize membership events like Picnic In the Park at Buescher in October, Souper Supper at Bastrop in February, and Summer Splash Party in July or August at Bastrop Pool.2025 Meeting Schedule: February 20- Souper Supper PotluckApril 17- Board Elections & General MeetingMay 15- General meetingJune 19 - Board MeetingAugust TBD- Summer Splash Party for Members at Bastrop SP PoolSept. 18 - Plan the Picnic event Oct. 16-Picnic In the Park Membership Drive Event at BuescherNov. 20 - General meetingJan 15, 2026 - Plan the Souper Supper EventBecome a member: 1)Sign up on this site and make a volunteer profile. 2) A Friends Board Member will email you more information with in a week of your sign up. Annual Membership Dues:Student/Senior-$10 Individual-$15Family-$25 Business-$50Thank you for being our Friend! We''re excited to have your support!
Program: Buescher State Park
Contact Person: Jacob Wallace
Contact Phone: (737) 352-7839
Click here for details or to sign up
Assists the Aquatic Exhibits Curator with behind-the-scenes daily operations, maintenance, special projects, preparing diet and feeding various fish. Certified Scuba divers may assist in underwater operations or maintenance.
Program: Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center
Contact Person: Craig Brooks
Contact Phone: (903) 670-2222
IN NEED OF LEAD VOLUNTEERemail Natalia for more info Volunteers are needed to help with creek side fishing and a backyard bass casting activity at the Fall in Love with Nature event hosted by Families in Nature. Event Date & times:Sunday, 4/26/26 11am - 3pmVolunteer Time: 10am to 3:30pmIf you are unable to join for the entire time frame, let us know! Location: McKinney Falls State ParkMost activities are accessible. Accessibility accommodations are available upon request. Reach out to Natalia Gonzalez with any questions.
Program: Angler Education
Contact Person: Natalia Gonzalez, Aquatic Education Training Specialist
Contact Phone: (512) 201-5790
Volunteers needed!Come on out to Brackenridge Park in San Antonio for a family friendly day of fishing education with the Fin Addict Angler Foundation! Volunteers are needed to help teach fishing, work at education stations teaching everything from fish ID to tackle, regs, and conservation, and assist with waterside fishing. When: April 11, 2026; 9am - 1pm Volunteers are asked to arrive at 7:30 am to help set up the event.
Contact Person: Oscar Castillo, TPWD Certified Angler Education Volunteer Instructor
Contact Phone: (210) 643-3396
Help Fin Addict Angler Foundation teach basic fishing skills such as safe practices, stewardship, knot tying, and casting to kids and families. Backyard Bass, and waterside fishing will also take place. When: Saturday, March 7, 2026Event time: 9am-12pmVolunteers are requested from 8am-1pm
Help Fin Addict Angler Foundation teach basic fishing skills such as safe practices, stewardship, knot tying, and casting to kids and families. Backyard Bass, and waterside fishing will also take place. When: Saturday, April 4. 20269am - 12pmVolunteers are requested from 8am-2pm
Assists TPWD - Coastal Fisheries Biologists with the collection of fisheries related data. Handling of fish, boating on skiffs and research vessels required.
Program: Lower Laguna Madre Ecosystem
Contact Person: Jason Ferguson
Contact Phone: (956) 350-4490
Program: Upper Laguna Madre Ecosystem
Contact Person: Ethan Getz
Contact Phone: (361) 431-6003 x825
Assists TPWD - Coastal Fisheries Biologists and Wildflife Technicians with the collecting, processing and reporting data from marine activities in the ecosystem. Specific methodology may include use of sampling gears (bag seines, gill nets, trawls and oyster dredges.) Interaction with the public- Outreach/educational youth events. Normal workweek is 8-5 Monday through Friday, with frequent hours to include early mornings, late evenings and weekends.
Program: Galveston Bay Ecosystem
Contact Person: Grant Maresh
Contact Phone: (281) 534-0106
Assist field technicians with sample collection, species identification, & gear maintenance.
Program: Sabine Lake Ecosystem
Contact Person: Joshua Leleux
Contact Phone: (409) 983-1104 x222
Volunteers are needed to help with the first Fishing event at Palo Pinto Mountain State Park.Volunteers will help teach a station in a rotation of fishing skills, then aid in fishing, prep tackle and handle fish. When: Saturday, March 21st, 2026Set up - 12:00PMEvent - 1:00PM - 4:00PMClean up after thatDress for the weather, wear a hat and bring a refillable water bottle. Where: Palo Pinto Mountain State Park100 Park Road 77, Strawn, TX 76457
Contact Person: Keira Quam, TPWD Aquatic Edu Training Specialist
Contact Phone: (469) 644-2705
Assists the general public and organized groups that come to our center to enjoy a day of fishing. Examples of some duties performed include: greeting the public, delivering safety and fishing orientations, preparing bait, repairing rods and reels, removing fish hooks, and recording attendace data. Criminal background check required.
Do we have an opportunity for you. We are looking for a few good volunteers. We will be spending the day working with the staff at Inks Lake State Park as we provide a spectacular outdoor adventure day for people of all ages with disabilities. Our goal is to introduce fly fishing to people of all abilities. Volunteers are requested from 8am - 4pm
Contact Person: Roger Koss - TPWD Certified Angler Education Instructor
Contact Phone: (210) 760-0914
Current Openings: Summer 2025-Winter 2025Do you have a passion for fishing? Do you love teaching others and sharing your passion? Join Galveston Island State Park as an Angler Education Park Host!Openings: July-October(2025), March-May(2026), June-November (2026)Volunteer responsibilities in this position could include (but are not limited to) the following:-Cleaning litter and equipment/lines from known fishing areas.-Lead 2-3 fishing programs per week.-Generate a monthly fishing report for the park.-Maintain and care for park fishing equipment.-Talk to visitors about fishing and offer assistance and insight.-Clean restrooms.This is not an exhaustive list of possible responsibilities, and other fishing ideas are welcome! Previous Park Host experience preferred, but not required. Galveston Island State Park is open to the visiting public year round. Park Hosts should expect to work weekends and holidays.While anything can be learned, volunteers best suited for this opportunity have extensive knowledge of fishing in Texas and our area and have experience leading groups of people. TPWD Certified Angler Education Instructor Course completion required.This position must complete at least 25 hours of volunteer service each week and will report to the Park Interpreter. Park Hosts stay in a campsite during their time at the park. Two host sites are on the beachside in campgrounds and two sites are secluded on the bayside not in the campgrounds, all with full hookups. Laundry facilities available. Park prefers mail to be collected offsite.If you have any questions before applying, please reach out to the Park Interpreter at regina.lillibridge@tpwd.texas.gov or at (409) 737-1222.Minimum age: 18
Program: Galveston Island State Park
Contact Person: Regina Lillibridge
Contact Phone: (409) 737-1222
Program: Habitat Assessment Team
Contact Person: Savannah Horton
Contact Phone: (281) 534-0111
This weekday opportunity is designed for those who have an interest in pursuing a career in the wildlife management field. Farm type work like pond sweeping, water quality testing and general assistance to hatchery technicians are some of the experiences with this volunteer position. Contact us to find out more.Current wildlife management students, exceptional high school students and others with an interest in developing their skills in this field are encouraged to apply.
Assist hatchery staff with maintenance, pond management and fish culture. Volunteer can select shifts during normal hatchery hours: 8am - 4pm, M-F. The hatchery is located in North Texas, approximately 23 miles west of Wichita Falls below Lake Diversion.
Program: Dundee Fish Hatchery
Contact Person: John Paret
Contact Phone: (940) 586-1203
Assist hatchery staff with pond management, fish culture, and hatchery maintenance. Volunteer can select shifts during normal hatchery hours: 8am - 4pm, M-F. The hatchery is located in North Texas about 90 miles west of Ft. Worth.
Program: Possum Kingdom Fish Hatchery
Contact Person: Ryan Rogers
Contact Phone: (940) 779-2301
Assist TPWD Inland Fisheries biologist with field work and outreach events.
Program: Corpus Christi Fisheries Management District
Contact Person: Dusty McDonald
Contact Phone: (361) 547-9712
Help a kid catch a smile! Volunteers are needed to help teach basic fishing skills on Texas Free Fishing Day. We are going to beat the heat and start early; this event will run from 8am - 1pm.Volunteers are requested from 7:30am - 1:30pm.
Contact Person: Joseph Skop - TPWD Angler Educat
Contact Phone: (830) 237-8453
