Yes, every volunteer has to complete an RFOV waiver to participate. If you did not receive an email requesting you to sign a waiver, please email info@rfov.org. You only need to sign a waiver once and it is good for the entire project season!

Yes, RFOV is certified to sign off on any community service or volunteer hours. You must bring any paperwork needing a signature to the project or event you are volunteering at.

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No. Though RFOV loves four-legged furry friends, we unfortunately cannot have them attend our projects. Due to specific requirements of many of our land management partners, the need to avoid having dogs/cats underfoot while swinging heavy tools, and to meet the needs of those volunteers who may be allergic to animals, we kindly ask that you do not bring your animals to our volunteer projects. Bring them by our office to say hi instead.

We have a variety of ways you can get involved with RFOV off the trails. Our project ambassadors are invaluable in the success of our projects. They help assist RFOV staff at projects by setting up a check in table and helping with day of logistics like taking photos and grabbing food for volunteers. We also have a few different opportunities to volunteer in our Carbondale office whether it be helping to clean tools or helping to get a large mailing together. You can always reach out to info@rfov.org if you are interested in continuing to be involved with RFOV outside of trail day projects

Check out more information here.

RFOV provides a couple different ways to volunteer with your children or student group. 

Little Explorers: Offered in conjunction with several community projects during the project season, this program is for our youngest students ages 4-8. While parents/guardians take part in the Community Project, RFOV Educators will lead students in structured nature play, activities and discovery tied to the theme of the day’s project.

Spruce Up Your School: Reach out to Ben Sherman to plan a day of service on school grounds - projects may include mulching trees and pulling weeds, planting for pollinators, installing bird/bat/bee boxes or other stewardship projects you have in mind. Please allow plenty of time for planning and coordination.

Service Learning Days: By participating in an RFOV project, students can receive service hours for college applications, capstone projects, high school service hour requirements, Eagle Scout or Girl Scout projects, community service hours and more! RFOV education staff will be happy to assist groups or individuals through the process of a stewardship-centered project.

Check out more information about RFOV’s Young Stewards Program here.

RFOV offers custom stewardship projects that are designed to maximize your impact on the outdoors while also building connections among your team.  Each RFOV Group Project is between 4 to 6 hours and can accommodate 6 to 30 people.

Type of volunteer work and financial commitment depends upon the desired project.

To adopt a trail, your group can commit financially or with volunteer hours. This program is for organizations or groups who want to make a long-term commitment to our public lands by making a larger financial donation or putting in 40-60 hours of volunteer work each year. In recognition of your group’s stewardship service, and/or financial donation, we’ll place an “Adopt-A-Trail” sign at the trailhead and organize projects to complete work on your trail.

Contact Claire Woodward or visit our group project page for more information.

Arriving late or leaving early is usually okay, but it can depend on the project! There are some projects that require meeting at a specific location to get shuttled in and some projects need access from a land manager. To be safe, it is best to reach out to info@rfov.org to ensure that it is possible on that specific project day.

At the end of each Community Project, RFOV will provide food and beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) for volunteers to enjoy. 

Dietary restrictions: RFOV does its best to  provide food that is compatible with common dietary restrictions and food allergies, including but not limited to the following options; vegetarian options, vegan options, gluten free options, dairy free options. 

For projects that take place over the lunch hour, volunteers are expected to bring their own lunches and other snacks.

In cases of extreme heat or inclement weather, we will end the project early, or cancel the project before it begins. RFOV will communicate any project cancellations/rescheduling with volunteers promptly as needed via email and phone calls.

In the event you need to cancel your registration, please email info@rfov.org ASAP to let our staff know. It takes a lot of staff and project partner time to plan and organize volunteer events. If you need to cancel, we ask that you let us know at least 48 hours in advance so we can plan accordingly.