Park Stewards Program

Stewardship of our beautiful 9 county parks is a vital initiative of the Parks Department. Park Rangers develop management plans to guide how we protect and enhance the conservation of each park. Park Stewards are caretaker volunteers working independently in an area of their favorite park on an ongoing basis. Their goal is restoring and protecting its natural ecosystem by removing invasive and non-native plant species so native plants and habitats will return and grow.

Park Steward Responsibilities

  • Identify and inventory plant and wildlife species and habitats. Document existing conditions and changes in site conditions.
  • Work with Park Rangers to develop a management plan for removal of invasive plants and remove invasive plant species according to the plan.
  • Monitor the adopted area thoroughly at least 6 times/year, for a minimum of 24 hours/year.
  • Assist Park Rangers with other stewardship activities on your adopted site, such as tree plantings, trail maintenance and wildlife habitat improvements.
  • Help coordinate and lead volunteer teams for larger conservation projects in the adopted area.

Interested in Becoming a Park Steward?

  1. Complete the online Park Steward Application form. We will contact you with more information about training and becoming a steward.
  2. After you submit your application, register to attend a Park Steward Training (held every Spring and Fall). Find & sign up for training & events or check below if any sessions are open for registration.
  3. Choose a job description below which suits you: Invasive Species or Trails. Sign the Steward Agreement and bring it with you to a Park Steward Training.

Park Steward Job Descriptions and Steward Agreement

Invasive Species Stewardship(PDF, 141KB)
This caretaker's goal is to restore and protect the park's natural ecosystem by removing invasive and non-native plant species.

Trail Management Stewardship(PDF, 143KB)
This caretaker's goal is to maintain the park's trail system by clearing corridor, working on the tread, installing structures, inventorying trail conditions and making suggestions to the Parks Rangers.

Park Steward Training Registration

Register for Upcoming Training

Park Steward Resources

If you’re a Park Steward or want more information on what’s involved, click the link below to find guides, important forms, a way to log hours, and links to additional resources to help you while you work.

Park Steward Resources

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