Get Involved: Open Space & Natural Resources

Douglas County Astronomy Volunteers, working in partnership with the Denver Astronomical Society, promote the enjoyment and understanding of astronomical phenomena, history, and lore by providing educational and observing opportunities for visiting guests.   

 Astronomy Volunteer Responsibilities  

• To instill a sense of enthusiasm, wonderment, and understanding of astronomical phenomena in the night sky. 
• Help others understand the issues that diminish the ability to view the night sky. Instill the sense of stewardship and conservation values to help protect the sensitive night sky as an important natural resource. Share the connections of elements in the universe that help with varying tides, life cycles, migration ability for birds, navigation, and other phenomena.   
• Assist in gathering resources that can be used for interpretive and educational programs and displays and provide assistance for viewing the night sky.   
• Must be at least 18 years of age. 
• Desire and the ability to work in the outdoors are required for field astronomers.  
• Complete First Aid and CPR Certification and a background check with Douglas County.  

 Training 

• Indoor and outdoor training at various sites may be followed by astronomy mentors.  
• A variety of naturalist interpreters and astronomical scientists and volunteers and Douglas County Open Space staff members will contribute a wealth of interesting knowledge and connections to the sky and the Douglas County Open Space and NR program.  
• Get to know the Open Space resources, helpful contacts, dark sky properties, and function of the Denver Astronomical Society as a partner.         

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Douglas County Astronomy Volunteers, working in partnership with the Denver Astronomical Society, promote the enjoyment and understanding of astronomical phenomena, history, and lore by providing educational and observing opportunities for visiting guests.   

 Astronomy Volunteer Responsibilities  

• To instill a sense of enthusiasm, wonderment, and understanding of astronomical phenomena in the night sky. 
• Help others understand the issues that diminish the ability to view the night sky. Instill the sense of stewardship and conservation values to help protect the sensitive night sky as an important natural resource. Share the connections of elements in the universe that help with varying tides, life cycles, migration ability for birds, navigation, and other phenomena.   
• Assist in gathering resources that can be used for interpretive and educational programs and displays and provide assistance for viewing the night sky.   
• Must be at least 18 years of age. 
• Desire and the ability to work in the outdoors are required for field astronomers.  
• Complete First Aid and CPR Certification and a background check with Douglas County.  

 Training 

• Indoor and outdoor training at various sites may be followed by astronomy mentors.  
• A variety of naturalist interpreters and astronomical scientists and volunteers and Douglas County Open Space staff members will contribute a wealth of interesting knowledge and connections to the sky and the Douglas County Open Space and NR program.  
• Get to know the Open Space resources, helpful contacts, dark sky properties, and function of the Denver Astronomical Society as a partner.     

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You enjoy our Douglas County Open Space properties…but who were the people who lived here before us and how did they live in the land around us?  Were they traveling, living here seasonally, gathering, or planting food, settling, feuding, leading, or making memorable changes on the land…or light footsteps as they passed through?  Become a history volunteer to research their past and explore remaining documents, stories, photos, and structures that might bring to light their colored pasts.  Gather your findings of the past and bring them to light by sharing. 

History Volunteer Project Possibilities 

• Create an intriguing biography of a local resident who was connected to a Douglas County Open Space property and reflect on a particular time and life experiences of that person.   

• Research and gather information about our Open Space properties that can be used for group presentations, special events, field trips, history tours, interpretive signs and brochures, and website articles.  
• Work with other history groups, such as Larkspur Historical Society and Douglas County Historical Society to acquire information or provide outreach to the public.     

Requirements  

• History projects are dependent on the needs of Douglas County Open Space  
• Guidance from Douglas County Open Space Staff to initially create the project is required, but suggestions from volunteers are strongly encouraged. 

• Material to be presented to the public will be reviewed and approved by Open Space staff and possibly other professional historians for content accuracy.   

 Training 

• Onsite training at various sites may be held for History Volunteers. 
• A variety of Volunteer Naturalists, local history resource specialists, and Douglas County Open Space staff members can contribute a wealth of information and assistance for History Volunteers. 

• Get to know the Open Space properties and natural resources, helpful contacts, Douglas County history maps, history of local settlers, Indigenous people of the area and their many connections of the land, and how to maintain or improve our historic resources. 

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Douglas County Mounted Patrol Mission Statement 

As Ambassadors of Douglas County, Mounted Patrol Volunteers are dedicated to public safety and protecting the county's land and resources. The Mounted Patrol educates and assists visitors in need and promotes the values and ideals of Douglas County Open Space.

The Volunteer Mounted Patrol assists Open Space staff by providing an additional presence on the trail systems and at some special events.  Occasionally, they lead guided rides for approved special events.  Finally, they may be asked to assist Search and Rescue.

Participation in the Mounted Patrol requires additional screening and verification of the rider's skill and ability, along with the horse's temperament and skills.  

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Position Description: We need volunteers to help at the Research and Demonstration Orchard at Hidden Mesa Open Space.  General categories of work include:  

• Variety trials 
• Developing growing protocols for food crops to be successful in our Front Range climate
• Growing vegetable crops for donation into local food banks
• Planting and maintaining demonstration beds of native and pollinator plants
• General orchard and garden development and maintenance
• Operation and upkeep of various types of high tunnel greenhouses and various row cover systems
• Propagation of fruiting and native plants

The facility is located on the picturesque 1,200-acre Hidden Mesa Open Space with trails, historic buildings and recreational opportunities.  Camaraderie develops between the various teams of volunteers.  Volunteers will have the opportunity to learn about fruit, nut, vegetable, native and pollinator plants adapted to the Front Range.  They will have the opportunity to learn or even develop innovative growing systems and protocols to increase the cropping success on the Front Range.  Many of the volunteers are certified Master Gardeners or have knowledge and experience with various crops and agricultural systems; they love to discuss myriad agricultural and horticultural topics.  Many volunteers increase the productivity of their own gardens and edible landscapes with the knowledge and experience they gain at Hidden Mesa.  

 

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Paw-trol

You and your pet enjoy Douglas County Open Space properties, now you're interested in giving back to the land and your community by making your local dog park more inviting, safe and healthy for everyone and their best friend.  This volunteer group tends the dog waste stations inside the Glendale and Greenland Open Space dog parks, greets visitors, gives them information and etiquette advice when recreating in the dog park, but also while out exploring the trails!

Do you wonder what attracts a certain species of bird to nest in a certain area, or can you figure out why layers of rock seem to reappear in unsuspected places? Sharpen up your inner sleuthing skills to systematically investigate natural resources or possibly habits of trail users on Douglas County Open Space properties to establish facts and reach new conclusions.  Become a citizen scientist (or maybe you are already a scientist) and help others understand our properties better through you revealing work.  Your research can also help determine how lands will be managed for plants, wildlife, and other components of ecosystems.  Help a research project for a day or embark on a long-term project.

Requirements  

• Research projects are dependent on the needs of the Open Space property  
• Guidance from Douglas County Open Space Staff to initially create the project is required. 
• Special tools, materials, access, and procedures for each project will need to be determined and followed. 

 Training 

• Indoor and outdoor trainings at various sites may be held for Researchers and procedures for Special Projects.  
• A variety of Volunteer Naturalists, Trail Crew Volunteers, local resource specialists, and Douglas County Open Space staff members can contribute a wealth of information and assistance for Volunteer Researchers. 
• Complete First Aid and CPR Certification and a background check with Douglas County.  
• Naturalist training is available
• Douglas County Ethics Training
• Get to know the Open Space properties and natural resources, helpful contacts, trails, and history of the land, and how to maintain or improve the resources.   

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Become the friendly, welcoming face of Douglas County Open Space. Greet visitors and provide them with advice and information to ensure they have safe and enjoyable outdoor experience while also protecting our lands and resources.  You can also have the option to work in a group of two to four volunteers at the trailhead or on the trail, sharing information about  good trail etiquette while also providing friendly reminders to hikers, bikers and riders about how they can best respect the Open Space properties.  

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The Volunteer Trail Crew Member will assist in Increasing community involvement with Douglas County Open Space and Natural Resources (DCOSNR) and its trail users through active participation in trail maintenance while increasing trail safety and sustainability. 

The volunteer Trail Crew Team Member will work with DCOSNR staff at various open space locations such as Dawson Butte Open Space, Spruce Mountain Open Space, Lincoln Mountain Open Space, and Columbine Open Space. Trails will wind through scenic meadows, breathtaking vistas, and forested landscapes.

Primary Activities:

• Works under the direction of DCOSNR Staff.
• Follows safety guidelines and practices provided by DCOSNR Staff.  
• Represent DCOSNR by being a positive visible presence within DCOSNR properties. 
• Assist DCOSNR Staff with Trail Maintenance work, including but not limited to:
  • Corridor Clearing
  • Tread Work
  • Installation and repair of water diversions structures
  • Trail development and improvement

Requirements:

• Must complete a background check with Douglas County. 
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Desire and ability to work in the outdoors.
• Good physical condition is recommended but not required.
• Must be willing and able to work in various outdoor conditions and elements.
• First Aid and CPR Certification.

Training:

• On the Trail Training and Mentoring including but not limited to: 
  • Proper use of trail tools 
  • Proper storage of trail tools on and off the trail
  • Trail safety 
  • Trail development and improvement training  

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Trail Crew Rookie

Volunteer Mountain Bike Patrol

As Ambassadors of Douglas County, Volunteer Mountain Bike Patrol are dedicated to public safety and protecting the county's land and resources. The Volunteer Mountain Bike Patrol educates and assists visitors in need and promotes the values and ideals of Douglas County Open Space.

The Volunteer Mountain Bike Patrol assists Open Space staff by providing an additional presence on the trail systems and at some special events.  Occasionally, they lead guided rides for approved special events.  Finally, they may be asked to assist Search and Rescue.

Participation in the Volunteer Mountain Bike Patrol requires additional screening and verification of the rider's skill and ability.  

Do you enjoy watching wildlife and listening to birds while hiking through picturesque landscapes?    If so, by joining the Weed Warriors, you will help to create experiences like this! In addition, we will teach you about noxious weeds and how to remove them.

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