Menu
Volunteer Engagement & Education
PROVIDING UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN ABOUT THE NATURAL WORLD & MAKE A LASTING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Restoration and Conservation Volunteers
Bringing members of the public into the forest to learn about and engage in conservation and ecology is a core component of our work to safeguard and protect Washington’s South Cascades. The volunteers who generously donate their time are an essential part of our direct conservation efforts.
In fact, many of our projects would be impossible without the help of concerned citizens dedicated to caring for their region. Data collected by volunteers informs all aspects of our work, from forest policy positions to prioritizing restoration strategies. Anyone, no matter how familiar they are with ecology and conservation, can make a lasting positive difference for the forest as a volunteer with CFC.
Young Friends of the Forest
Young Friends of the Forest is a program designed to create meaningful science and stewardship opportunities for high school students in southwest Washington and the Portland Metro area. Through the program, students are able to be part of real conservation and restoration projects, collecting data that is used to inform conservation planning and carrying out restoration efforts that improve habitats for wildlife. Our goals are to connect young people to the outdoors, to teach students about environmental science and ecology, and to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.
We have hosted trips with students from Portland, OR and Vancouver, Stevenson, Camas, Washougal, Packwood, and White Pass, WA. Students have surveyed for potential beaver reintroduction sites, planted hundreds of trees, taken part in wildlife camera surveys, and collected data for huckleberry restoration studies.
In the past we have worked directly with teachers and schools, but we are currently focusing the program on partnerships with groups like the Discovery Team and Forest Youth Success, which offer summer work opportunities for high school students living in the communities adjacent to the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
“CFC’s citizen science volunteer programs have offered me a place to not only meet people, but to find meaning and joy while helping others and giving back to the place I’ve grown up in. Their programs also create unique, positive spaces for me and others to come together from our diverse backgrounds, age groups, experiences, professions, and cultures.”
Tina Eckton
CFC Volunteer
the work of volunteers is essential to our mission
We are so grateful for our community of volunteers for the contributions they make to conservation efforts in Washington’s southern Cascades. Participating in volunteer opportunities offered by CFC is a great way to discover and learn about new corners of the forest, meet like-minded people who share a passion for the outdoors and environmental stewardship, all while making important and lasting contributions to scientific knowledge and restoration projects.
Native conifers and hardwoods planted in stream-side restoration project areas by volunteers since 2017
0
Motion-activated wildlife cameras set across remote areas of the forest by volunteers in our ongoing study to model occupancy of martens and reintroduced fishers
0
Hours donated by volunteers to help advance conservation causes in the heart of the Cascades in the last five years
0
SPEAK UP FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
Since 1985, Cascade Forest Conservancy has been your voice speaking for the areas in and around the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in southwest Washington. Join the 12,000 other members who support Cascade Forest Conservancy and are making a difference now.
Our Work
Volunteer Science and Education
Volunteer Science and Education
Providing volunteers one-of-a-kind opportunities to learn and make a lasting impact
The Green River Valley & Mount St. Helens: No Place for a Mine
The Green River Valley & Mount St. Helens: No Place for a Mine
Our ongoing fight to stop a disasterous open-pit mine in the shadow of Mount St. Helens (Lawetlat'la)
News & Updates
A WIN-WIN FOR SALMON AND SW WASHINGTON COMMUNITIES
Working with the Department of Health, drinking water providers at Lewis County Public Works, and Lichen Land & Water, Cascade Forest Conservancy has been working for the last year to assess restoration potential in the Salmon Creek watershed. This is the Salmon Creek that flows into the Cowlitz River and serves as a drinking water...
ACTION ALERT: SPEAK UP FOR A HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY TO PROTECT THE NATION’S OLD-GROWTH
A Historic Opportunity The Biden Administration has taken several steps to combat climate change and advance environmental stewardship, including a number of steps to preserve the nation’s old-growth. On Earth Day, 2022, the Administration issued an Executive Order (EO) directing federal agencies to create a consistent definition for old-growth forests that accounted for regional...
ACTION ALERT: SPEAK OUT FOR THE ECOLOGICAL & SCIENTIFIC VALUES OF SPIRIT LAKE
Mount St. Helens, the Pumice Plain, and Spirit Lake are special places Cascade Forest Conservancy has fought to protect since our founding. Now, we need your help speaking out to preserve the ongoing ecological recovery occurring here and the scientific insights this healing volcanic landscape is providing to us. The Spirit Lake Outlet Tunnel...