Back to Top
Overview //
This is on going survey of butterflys found at ABK.
Program: Albert and Bessie Kronkosky State Natural Area
Contact Person: Howell Pugh
Contact Phone: (830) 328-2528
Click here for details or to sign up
*This opportunity is only for approved and selected 2024 South and Southeast Texas Ambassadors.*The Ambassador Program supports our public lands by connecting conservation-minded young adults with recreational and volunteer opportunities in order to foster the next generation of State Park stewards. To learn more about upcoming application seasons, visit: www.TexasStateParks.org/ambassadors or follow us on: Instagram @txstateparkambassadors, Facebook /texasstateparkambassadors
Program: Ambassador Program
Contact Person: Dorothy Martinez
Contact Phone: (512) 298-9090
New Volunteers must sign up for the Tree Inventory Training Event on April 12,2025. You cannot sign up for Tree Inventory shifts until you go to the Tree Inventory Training Event. Scroll down to April 12th and click the blue "sign up" button. Participants will learn how to collect data for our Forest Inventory as part of our Forest Management plan. There will be a classroom portion with background, instructions, tree ID, and how the information is used. Then we will go into the field and do a few plots to familiarize everyone with the process. Volunteer Tree Inventory events will consist of a crew of 3 to 4 volunteers at a time for 4 hours shifts.Training Day - What to Expect: 8am to 12pm: Power point instruction/lecture inside the Meeting Room at Bastrop State Park.12pm to 3:30pm: Field training. Be prepared to be outdoors hiking through areas of the forest that have thick vegetation with no trails. At the training volunteers will learn the history of forest management in the park. They'll learn why tree inventory is important, what we learn from the data and how to gather the data. In the field we will learn to navigate to inventory areas with GPS and conduct an hour or two of tree inventories so that everyone gets good hands on training. After this training volunteers should be able to conduct Tree Inventories with out a staff member present. After the training volunteers are expected to sign up for 2 or more inventory events a month.Bring: Sack lunch, snacks, bottled water, note pad and writing utensil, sun and bug protection. Wear weather appropriate clothing, close toed shoes, pants, long sleeve recommended. *Recommended for able bodied persons as inventory takes place in thick vegetation, off trails, and can require miles of hiking through very uneven terrain with lots of tripping hazards.Field Duties Include: Conditions during field training and during all other tree inventory volunteer events: Outdoors, off trail, through forest vegetation/thick vegetation, uneven terrain, hazardous plants in some areas. Volunteers need to be able to hike 4 to 5 miles off trail, hiking over downed tree logs, through thick brush, up hills, possibly down ravines, watching for stump holes/vines/hazardous vegetation and other hazards.Required Qualifications: Must have gone to the in person Tree Inventory Training on Saturday, 1/27/24, 4/13/24, 10/12/24 or go to the Tree Inventory Training on April 12 before signing up for shifts.Time Commitment: Minimum of signing up for two shifts a month. One shift is 4 hours long. These tree inventories will be going on all year. Time slots every Saturday and Sunday morning/afternoons. Shifts will be 4 hours in the morning and 4 hours in the afternoon. If we have enough interest for weekday inventory then we will open up time slots then as well.
Program: Bastrop State Park
Contact Person: Madalyn Miller
Contact Phone: (512) 718-0211
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
Major Duties:Represent TPWD State Parks in a positive manner and supplement the work of park staff.- Support interpretive ranger during their interpretive events and with assembling materials for interpretive programs.Provide structured and roving interpretation, including:- Lead/assist with guided hikes for the visiting public, including school field trip groups. Hikes will include information about the park''s flora and fauna and about the history of its development and cultural resources.- Provide general information and assistance to park visitors.- Assist in running the Nature Center and Gym complex to give the public educational opportunities. This may include minimal custodial upkeep of these areas.Requirements:- Passion for Texas State Parks.- Knowledge and interest in park''s natural and cultural resources and willingness to continue learning.- Experience working in a classroom setting or working with young people strongly preferred.- Experience with public speaking and ability to effectively communicate with public, other volunteers, and staff.- Essential opportunity functions require walking or standing for extended periods of time.- Criminal background check clearance.Time Commitment: - 24 hour work week (flexible)- A minimum of a three month stay, maximum of 12 months.Benefits:- Free stay in a water/electric campsite- 24 hour work week- Knowledge that you are stewarding and protecting Texas State Parks for use today and by future generations.- Training in interpretation and access to resources and tools to continue to learn about the dynamic natural and cultural resources of the park.
Program: Choke Canyon State Park
Contact Person: Hannah Schulze
Contact Phone: (361) 436-2613
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: Coastal Fisheries Region 1
Contact Person: Grant Maresh
Contact Phone: (281) 534-0135
Assist park staff with various park projects duties may include:-Assisting in park store or fee booth-Cleaning and/or maintaining park facilities-Managing water stations during the summer-Assisting in programs- Trail maintenance and projects- Deer spotlight surveys - Bat counts - Weed management
Program: Colorado Bend State Park
Contact Person: Frank Barrientez
Contact Phone: (512) 734-0329
This position will serve as a volunteer for Cooper Lake State Park Doctors Creek unit. This position will work with park staff to assist in maintenance, janitorial, clerical, trail work and/or customer service duties.
Program: Cooper Lake State Park/Doctors Creek Unit
Contact Person: Andrew Savage
Contact Phone: (903) 395-3100
This position will serve as a volunteer for Cooper Lake State Park South Sulphur unit. This position will work with park staff to assist in maintenance, janitorial, clerical, trail work, and/or customer service duties.
Program: Cooper Lake State Park/South Sulphur Unit
Contact Phone: (903) 945-5256
Service projects needing graduation hours for community serive.Cleaning areas for birding and camping sites, other projects include monarch butterflies, bird count, aquatic science project .Will instructed on hand tool safety and the how to use shovels, rakes, loopers,etc.
Program: Devils River State Natural Area- Hughes Unit
Contact Person: Nora Padilla
Contact Phone: (830) 395-2133
Do you have a passion for nature and the outdoors? If you enjoy talking and learing about nature and being outside in the beautiful San Felipe Creek this opporunity is for you! Park Ranger will be providing instructional training before outreach programsAs an Outreach Volunteer you will be able to share your passion by assisting with:Leave No Trace, Fishing 101, Aquatic Science, Aquatic Wild, Native Plant and Wildlife Identification.We are hoping to have several events in Del Rio, Texas. We will have about 50 students at each event, will divide the lesson/talks/ presentation to about 10-12 students per presenation and rotate them from one presenter to another.
Program: Devils River State Natural Area-Del Norte Unit
Contact Phone:
Do you have a passion for nature & the outdoors? Do you want to share the joy of the natural world with others? Do you want to help us protect the wonder of Enchanted Rock? Do we have an opportunity for you!Enchanted Rock Interpretation/Education Volunteers show visitors the magic of our state natural area, while also teaching them ways that they can help protect this place for future generations!Duties may include:- Assisting park staff with guided hikes, school group programs & evening programs.- Independently presenting educational and interpretive talks and hikes.- Leading programs such as Skins and Skulls or Bison Head to Toe.- Performing informal roving interpretation and educating visitors on vernal pool protection.A criminal background check is required.
Program: Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
Contact Person: Hannah Pickens
Contact Phone: (830) 685-3636
Do you enjoy working with the public? Love to share your knowledge of birds? Astronomy? Edible mushrooms? Fort Parker State Park is looking for volunteers to assist with educational programming. This position does not require any prior training or education. We have volunteer opportunities for every level. Assist park staff in leading kayaking, hiking, arts'n'crafts, and other nature-themed activities OR lead your own preapproved program to share your passion for nature. Dates and times are flexible.
Program: Fort Parker State Park
Contact Person: Leah Turner
Contact Phone: (254) 562-5751
Come be a volunteer at Goliad State Park where you can assist the park with various opportunities depending on your interest and experience. Special skills are highly desired. Program opportunities include: - Assisting with and conducting interpretive programs including bird walks, wildflower walks, history tours, etc.- Maintaining the Wildlife Viewing Blind and Bird Feeding Program- Greeting people at Mission Espiritu Santo and Zaragoza Birthplace- Maintaining interpretive exhibits and materials- Assisting with special events- Maintaining park flower beds- Demonstrating Spanish Colonial lifeways, such as spinning, weaving, and blacksmithing Criminal background check required. Must be 17 years old or accompanied by an adult and be able to volunteer five hours each month.Does not include Park Hosting opportunities. See Park Host (Maintenance) or Park Host (Interpretation/Education).
Program: Goliad State Park
Contact Person: Skye Evans
Contact Phone: (361) 645-3405
Contribute photos and data as part of an ongoing arthropod survey which occurs each spring at Government Canyon. Walk a set route in a grassland and document all arthropods seen along the way. Your data helps our wildlife managers monitor arthropod abundance and diversity in our grassland ecosystems. Previous experience is not necessary. You will need to have the free iNaturalist app downloaded on a fully-charged smartphone before you arrive. It is extremely helpful if you have already familiarized yourself with how iNat works, but we can coach you if you have trouble with the app. Volunteers may expect the following:
Program: Government Canyon State Natural Area
Contact Person: Lisa Cole
Contact Phone: (210) 688-9055
Assist with wildlife/plant surveys at Guadalupe River State Park and Honey Creek State Natural Area. No experience necessary; training will be provided.Upcoming wildlife surveys:-White-tailed Deer Spotlight Surveys (Fall 2025)There are no plant surveys available at this time.**More opportunities to arise throughout the year**
Program: Guadalupe River State Park
Contact Person: Jessica Bergner
Work with park staff to perform service projects on specified days that the VFW will be coming out to the park.*Only VFW members should apply and be placed with this opportunity.*
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
We're looking for volunteers who are looking to gain experience, or who already have experience, in natural resource field work!Duties may include:-Assisting with wildlife surveys (such as golden-cheeked warblers or white-tailed deer)-Deploying trail cameras and recording data-Maintaining hunting blinds-Trail maintenance and preservation
Program: Hill Country State Natural Area
Contact Person: Augie Medellin
Contact Phone: (830) 796-4413