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Texas Wildlife Association's Adult Learn to Hunt Program focuses on introducing novice hunters interested in forging a connectin between conservation, hunting and sustainable eating. Participants will also learn valuable skills related to skinning, butchering and cooking techniques associated with wild game. Upon applying to the program, applications will be reviewed, and hunters will be contacted once chosen to participate.
Program: Adult Learn to Hunt Program
Contact Person: Matt Hughes
Contact Phone: (210) 288-0688
Click here for details or to sign up
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
Experienced birder wanting to keep your skills sharp? New to birding and would like to gain experience while hiking with very experienced birders?Albert and Bessie Kronkosky State Natural Area (ABK) has a great opportunity for all skill levels of birding. Come survey birds with us every first Tuesday of the month. You will be hiking with very experienced birders who happy to teach all levels of birding to those that are interested.Details:· Must be a registered and approved volunteer for Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.· Must wear the appropriate shoes for hiking in moderately difficult terrain (no open toed shoes or sandals).· Must bring water and snacks are recommended.· Binoculars are strongly recommended for identifying bird species but are not required.· Must bring a good attitude and willingness to work in a group of differing bird skills.· January June, survey begins at 8:00 am.· July and August, the survey will start at 7:30 am.· September December, the surveys will begin at 8:00 am.Sign up quick for your spot to help survey. There is a limited amount of available spots each month.
Join the exciting Volunteer Geology Program at Albert & Bessie Kronkosky State Natural Area (ABK)! This unique opportunity lets you explore the wonders of Texas geology while contributing to the conservation of this beautiful state natural area. Dive into the fascinating geological makeup of the area, featuring intriguing formations, hidden springs, and learn why ABK is a great example of how the Hill Country was formed over time.Embrace the adventure of exploring Texas's diverse geology at the ABK, where every rock tells a story. Join now and be a part of preserving and understanding this extraordinary piece of the Texas Hill Country!As a volunteer, it''s possible that you will get hands-on experience with geological surveys and conservation efforts, helping to preserve the state natural area''s intrinsic beauty and ecological significance. Whether you're a seasoned geologist, a student of earth sciences, or simply someone with a passion for nature and learning, this program is an ideal way to make a difference and gain valuable knowledge.Please RSVP to howell.pugh@tpwd.texas.gov for which Friday you intend to come to our Geology Walks. There is limited space available, it is recommended you RSVP as soon as you are able to do so.Walk is 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM
NOTE: ABKSNA does not have Park Host opportunities at this time.Position: Volunteer Site AssistantsResponsibilities: Various plant and animal surveys, fence repair, brush clearing, site cleanup, program development, outreach events, grounds maintenance, preparations for future public opening of site.Requirements: Attend required orientation training and safety training, and pass criminal background check.Desired Qualifications: Commitment to conserving and managing natural/cultural resources, use of various tools and equipment, comfortable speaking with public, natural/ cultural history knowledge, support for TPWD's mission.Time Required: Open
This opportunity is for Ambassador Alumni to log all volunteer hours after the successful completion of their Ambassadorship.
Program: Ambassador Program
Contact Person: Sam Toback
Contact Phone: (512) 389-8572
Only certified TPWD NASP or USA Archery instructor volunteers may sign up for this opportunity. If you regularly work with audiences, are not currently certified and want to be, please contact ArcheryEdu@tpwd.texas.gov. Please note, this certification is not intended for those with an archery hobby, but instead those that instruct or have access to audiences.
Program: National Archery in the Schools
Contact Person: Joel Janssen
Contact Phone: (512) 517-5527
2024 Openings: Minimum requirement of 3 consecutive months to maximum 6 consecutive months of hosting with us. April: 1 opening May: 3 openings June: 4 openings July through September: 5 openings October through December 4 openings2025 is now open for host booking. All months are available (minimum 3, maximum 6).
Come join our team and experience life beneath the pines at Bastrop State Park! Spend a season in the scenic Lost Pines of Bastrop and help contribute to your Texas State Parks. Willing and eager with a can-do attitude? Then we want you! Bastrop State Park is looking for motivated couples or individuals to come enjoy the wonderful smell of loblolly pines while helping our superior park staff with daily park needs. Park Hosts assist in many aspects of park operations from maintenance, cleaning, visitor assistance, and interpretive programming.Ideal team members will have a positive and friendly attitude, a willingness to interact with visitors, good communication skills, and be capable of being flexible. The host position is for 2 to 6 months and requires at least 25 hours of volunteer work per week. In exchange for those hours we will provide you with a full hookup site (50 amp) at no charge! We also provide access to a washer and dryer facility. Also enjoy wonderful shopping and dining experiences in historic downtown Bastrop, which is only a five minute drive away from the park. Nearby cities of Austin, Houston and San Antonio provide additional day off opportunities! Duties of the Park Host Required:
- Clean and maintain bathrooms - Oversee and maintain assigned campground loop, including but not limited to, trash pick-up of entire loop, clean out fire rings, mow/weed-eat entire camping loop, remove weeds from tent pads - Assist with historic CCC cabin cleaning - Assist visitorsOther duties include but are not limited to:- Assist with park grounds maintenance - Assist with Interpretive tours/hikes and programs- Assist with miscellaneous tasks, projects and programs.Minimum 25 hours a week, with days off mainly on days other than weekends as assigned by park management needs. Must be willing and capable of cleaning bathrooms and cabins. Applicants need to be available at least 2 consecutive months and will have the option to stay up to 6 months.Must be at least 18 years old and must pass a criminal background check
Program: Bastrop State Park
Contact Person: Madalyn Miller
Contact Phone: (512) 718-0211
Overview: Blanco State Park is looking for friendly, motivated, and energetic park hosts for the summer.Park hosts at Blanco State Park will volunteer for a minimum of 25 hours per week while living in a beautiful Texas Hill Country campground. As a park host, you will support TPWD''s mission by assisting with the day-to-day functions of the park and providing outstanding service to park visitors, maintaining the cleanliness of park grounds and facilities, and supporting basic maintenance needs.
Volunteer duties will include: Representing TPWD State Parks in a positive and professional manner; maintaining cleanliness of assigned areas, including keeping pavilion bathrooms cleaned and stocked and collecting trash from assigned camp loops; cleaning campsites and shelters (firepits, picnic tables...), checking sites; providing excellent customer service to park visitors, including providing general information and assistance to park visitors; and maintaining cleanliness of assigned host site.
Requirements: Preferred experience with customer service and ability to effectively communicate with public, other volunteers, and staff; experience with basic maintenance and equipment use; essential opportunity functions require sitting for long periods of time, carrying, walking, and standing; background check required.
Benefits: Park hosts are provided with a 50 amp full hook-up. The Blanco River runs through the park and provides easy water access on hot summer days. Hosts play a critical role in the conservation and stewardship of the natural and cultural resources of the beautiful Blanco River and its wildlife.
Program: Blanco State Park
Contact Person: Rena Beyer
Contact Phone: (830) 833-4333 x241
Summer Park Hosts Needed. Blanco State Park is looking for friendly, motivated, and energetic volunteers to serve as maintenance park hosts. Your time, energy, and skills will support the park team in managing and conserving the park's natural and cultural resources and keep the park safe and usable for visitors. Duties: Maintenance park hosts play a critical role in keeping Blanco State Park beautiful and inviting for park visitors. Park hosts assist park staff with day-to-day operations of the park. Duties include restroom cleaning and maintenance, trash collection, and light repairs. Benefits: In exchange for a minimum of 25 volunteer hours per week, volunteers are provided a campsite with a 50 amp full hook-up. Park Hosts play a critical role in the conservation and stewardship of the natural and cultural resources of Texas.
Help teach the basics of fishing to families at various stations and assist families during the fishing derby around the pond. Date: Saturday, June 8, 2024Time: 8am - 1pmReach out to the event lead listed below with any questions.
Program: Angler Education
Contact Person: Vincent Lecca, TPWD Angler Education Instructor Trainer
Contact Phone: (512) 210-9142
Openings for 2024: 1 opening: March 1st through June 11th 1 opening: May 1st through November 1st1 opening: November 21st into 2025. 2025 Park host openings are now available. All of 2025 is open at this time. Join our team and experience life beneath the beautiful Spanish moss at Buescher State Park! Spend your seasons tucked away in this little hidden jewel of Central Texas and help contribute to your Texas State Parks.Willing and eager with a can-do attitude? Then we want you! Buescher State Park is looking for motivated couples or individuals to come enjoy this very unique, beautiful, and peaceful area while helping our superior park staff with daily park needs.Park Hosts assist in many aspects of park operations including maintenance, cleaning, visitor assistance, and interpretive programming.Ideal team members will have a positive and friendly attitude, a willingness to interact with visitors, good communication skills, and be capable of being flexible.Park Hosts have a schedule of working 5 days on two days off, then 4 days on and three days off. This repeats every two weeks. Your days on/off is determined by park management needs. The host position is for 3 to 6 months and requires at least 25 hours of volunteer work per week. In exchange for those hours we will provide you with a full hookup site (30 amp, no 50 amp sites) at no charge! We also provide access to a washer and dryer facility. Enjoy wonderful shopping and dining experiences in historic downtown Smithville, which is only a six minute drive away from the park. Historic Downtown Bastrop is only a 15 minute drive away, and nearby city of Austin provides other opportunities to enjoy on days off.Duties of the Park Host*Clean and maintain bathrooms *Oversee and maintain assigned campground loop, including but not limited to: - Trash pickiup of entire loop - Clean out fire rings - Mow/weed-eat entire camping loop - Remove weeds from tent pads * Assist with Historic CCC Cabin cleaning * Assist visitors Other Duties Include but are not Limited To:- Assist with park grounds maintenance - Assist front office staff - Assist with Interpretive tours/hikes and programs- Assist with miscellaneous tasks, projects and programs *Minimum 25 hours a week, with days off mainly on days other than weekends*Must be willing and capable of cleaning bathrooms and cabins*Must be at least 18 years old *Must pass a criminal background check
Program: Buescher State Park
A great opportunity for living and working in a hidden jewel of the park system. Colorado Bend is situated in the Hill Country along the Colorado River and is home to Gorman Falls, a 70 foot waterfall paradise. Fishing, hiking, biking, kayaking and other great opportunities abound. Park Hosts will have the opportunity to contribute towards the TPWD mission of providing visitor opportunities and conserving resources. The ideal candidate is friendly, flexible, and able to bring a positive attitude. All hosts interact with the public. If you love the outdoors and hitting a trail, you will be a good match at our remote, rugged, and primitive park.Duties may include, but are not limited to: - Greeting customers - Planning and delivering interpretive activities and events such as hikes, birding, children's programs, and whatever else interests you- Cleaning campsites, restrooms and headquarters - Trail and facility projects - Assisting in office and working front desk - Maintenance and infrastructure projects Criminal background check required. Hosts will be provided with a full hook-up (water/sewer/electric) site in exchange for a minimum 25 hrs/wk (32 hrs/week - double occupancy). These positions are typically 3 month commitments. Please contact the park to see if Colorado Bend is your next adventure!
Program: Colorado Bend State Park
Contact Person: Frank Barrientez
Contact Phone: (325) 628-3240
Assist park staff with resource management projects. Duties may include: - Trail Maintenance and Projects- Spotlight Deer Surveys - Bat Counts - Weed Management
"Sign Up" and record the hours you spend providing archery access, opportunities and education. This includes Explore Archery, Explore Bowhunting/Bowfishing, USA Archery classes and events (excluding NASP). Report ALL NASP archery activity at "NASP Archery Education Classes and Events.".Community Archery Instructors and Volunteers play a vital role in promoting TPWD''s Community Archery Program. The hours you contribute to a given activity and the number of people you reach are key ingredients to achieving our community archery objectives. Therefore, reporting your archery activity is imperative so that we can collect the data needed. Thank you for your continued effort in expanding the sport of archery.
Program: Community Archery Central and South Texas
Contact Person: Travis Glick
Contact Phone: (214) 532-1613
The State Park Police Career Opportunity Program (COP) volunteer program will provide an opportunity for approved individuals with a demonstrated or sincere interest in conservation law enforcement to gain career or operational knowledge of the State Park Police occupation. Below are the rider rules for this program. By signing up for this opportunity, you signify that you have read the rules and agree to follow them during your time with this program.Dress Code for Texas Parks & Wildlife Department Observers1. TPWD observers are to dress neatly and conservatively. No Blue jeans of any kind.2. Cleanliness is required at all times.3. Hair and facial hair must be well groomed.4. Shorts and cut-offs are prohibited.5. Clothing bearing any sign or symbol that advertises any product, business or organization will not be permitted.6. Clothing with offensive designs, logos, letters or devices is prohibited.7. Conservative type shoes or boots may be worn; sandals and bare feet are prohibited.Prohibited Acts1. Will not consume alcoholic beverages prior to and during tours of duty.2. Will not use profane or abusive language during the tour of duty.3. Will not engage in excessive conversation, which may distract the Officer or interfere with hearing the police radio.4. Will not make remarks or voice opinions to complainants, witnesses, victims, violators, or suspects in any manner, which would tend to provoke or degrade anyone or escalate tension.5. Will not be allowed into a private residence during the execution of a search or arrest warrant.6. Will not make known to any unauthorized person, information that may compromise a police operation, procedure or investigation that is either in progress or proposed.7. Will not make known to unauthorized persons the identity of persons arrested, persons being confined in jail, or suspects in a criminal act.8. Will not use information learned during a tour of duty for personal gain.9. Will not carry weapons of any type. Observers possessing a license to carry a weapon will NOT be allowed to carry a weapon during a tour of duty.10. Non-sworn observers do not have any powers of an Officer and have no authority except when acting at the direction of an Officer.Texas Parks & Wildlife Department Observers Will:1. At all times conduct themselves with proper decorum.2. Remain in the police unit during routine traffic stops unless otherwise instructed by the Officer.3. Remain in or near the TPWD patrol unit during disturbance calls and calls of a serious nature to summon assistance by radio if needed, unless otherwise instructed by an Officer.If you would like to be notified when an opportunity is available, please sign up.
Program: State Park Police
Contact Person: Lt. EJ Rivera
Contact Phone: (361) 405-9039
Do you enjoy the outdoors and observing birds? As a birding guide, you'll be taking out visitors of various birding experience on assigned tours throughout the park and surrounding areas of the community.You may be asked to:-utilized interpretive methods durning your tour-assist in visual and auditory indentificaiton of birds -teach vistor's how to use and adjust binoculars-share knowldge of bird of the area-entering bird list on E-birds for the park
Program: Devils River State Natural Area-Del Norte Unit
Contact Person: Nora Padilla
Contact Phone: (830) 395-2133
We are looking for helpful and self motivated campground Park Host. Park Host are required to complete a minimum of 24 volunteer hours per week (32 hours minimum for a couple).Camp ground Host daily duties include:- Provide a warm friendly greeting to park's day and overnight visitors.- Work as Customer Service Representive at Visitor Center.- Instruct visitors of after hour's registration requirements.- Direct overnight visitors to camping area and specific sites.- Clean restroom, shower building and bunkhouse.- Litter clean up.- Clean campsite and fire rings.- Assist with mowing campsites.- Assist park rangers with light maintenance duties.- Other duties based on interests, skills, and park needs.Applicants must be 18 years of age and older.A criminal background check is required.Campground Park Host will be provided with electrical hook up, water, sewer, washer and dryer. Park is open to the public from Friday at 8 am to Monday at 5pm.Current interest list for Fall and Winter 2023-2024 please call the park 830-395-2133.
Work close with park staff in the maintenace of park buildings.Clear and install fire rings, picnic talbes, and shade shelters in campsite areas.Assist in mowing and trimming campsites and trails.Assist park staff on setting for intepretive programs or events.Must be 18 yrs and older with some maintenance skills.Must pass a background test.
Contact Phone: (183) 028-2247 x1
This position will provide the opportunity to become familiar with multiple aspects of the Texas Parks and Wildlife operations through hands on participation.Volunteer Intern will receive an orientation from the perspective of several different staff positions, including the superintendent, office manager, maintenance staff, park interpreter and law enforcement. The intern may rotate duties with different staff, however all duties will come with clear instruction from park superintendent. The majority of the duties will consist of designing, assisting and leading outreach programs to a variety of audiences such as park guests. Will work as a Customer Service Clerk at our Park HQ and provide park orientaiton for incoming visitors.
Contact Phone: (830) 395-2256
