Get involved and change your world! Volunteers are the heartbeat of the Forest Service. Volunteers play a vital role in accomplishing work on the Sequoia National Forest. Much of this work deals with trail maintenance, habitat improvement projects, picking up trash along our major rivers, grafitti removal, tree planting, or repairing signs/buildings. We complete many tasks and projects due to the volunteers who serve with Forest Service employees to accomplish our goals. Think about volunteering on the Sequoia National Forest the next time you visit our website or take a trip into the backcountry. For those who are interested, here is a link to a recent publication from the Forest Service on how to volunteer on your national forest, Welcome to the Forest Service: A Guide for Volunteers. For those who organize and coordinate volunteers, here is a link to Volunteers in the Forest Service: A Coordinator's Desk Guide. Please contact any Sequoia National Forest office for information about volunteer activities.

1. Sign up for a Pacific Crest Trail Volunteer Vacations working on the Sequoia. For more details go online to www.pcta.org
2. Volunteer Trail Maintenance Opportunities - A recent agreement with the High Sierra Volunteer Trail Crew provides volunteer opportunities in three program areas: a vital Trail Maintenance Program to restore, build, and maintain critical trails in the forest; the Environmental Reclamation Team which restores remote mountain areas in California where illegal marijuana gardens were eradicated; and a Youth Education Program to connect children with nature. Please share your expertise and passion! To volunteer for work trips from May to September, or for more information on these opportunities, please contact the High Sierra Volunteer Crew through their website: www.trailcrew.org or by phone at (559) 435-2626.
3. Marketing the Giant Sequoia National Monument - The Sequoia National Forest has spearheaded a new strategic approach to managing the Giant Sequoia National Monument (Monument)in The Marketing Action Plan. Our goal is to establish a new identity in managing the Monument, and seek new and innovative ways to portray the Monument as a unique and special place. We began with a team of employees to gather ideas, formulate strategies, and identify opportunities for implementing the marketing plan. Please take a moment and read through the Marketing Action Plan. We welcome your ideas and comments. Please contact Denise Alonzo by e-mail at: dalonzo@fs.fed.us.
4. Visitor Center Kiosk - A new visitor center kiosk will be constructed in the River Walk Shopping Complex at the intersection of Jaye Street and Highway 190 in Porterville. This construction by the Ennis Corporation is a multi-million dollar investment in the city of Porterville. This project is a result of partnering with the Porterville Chamber of Commerce, the Ennis Corporation, and other community members. Read more about visitor centers for the Sequoia National Forest and Giant Sequoia National Monument.
5. The Interpretative Plan for the Sequoia National Forest and Giant Sequoia National Monument will guide the development and implementation of interpretive exhibits and services for the forest and the Monument. The plan establishes interpretive goals, objectives, themes, topics, and important storylines for twelve recreation settings; provides an action plan, media recommendations, and design guidelines for interpretive efforts; and provides tools to help forest interpreters. Please take a moment to read through the Interpretive Plan and share your comments with Mary Cole at (559)784-1500 ext. 1133.
6. The Sequoia Monument Recreation Council, Inc.(SMRC) recently emerged from collaboration on the Giant Sequoia National Monument as a non-profit 501c3 corporation. The SMRC's mission is to engage in community-based collaborative activities that promote public caring for forest lands; establish and maintain partnerships; work to enhance the Monument's natural and human ecosystems and objects of interest; and promote numerous activities. Please plan to join SMRC in marketing and caring for the Monument. Please contact Nancy Ruthenbeck by e-mail at nruthenbeck@fs.fed.us for more information.
7. Kern River Cleanups - This tumbling river begins in the high Sierra near Mt. Whitney and meanders in its "Wild & Scenic" section. Help keep it pristine by joining in on the river cleanup events in May, July, and September (Kern Valley Pride Day). Please contact the Kern River Ranger District office at (760) 376-3781 ext. 0, and check the monthly events calendar on our home page, for more information.
8. Tule River Cleanups - A partnership with Community Services Employment Training (CSET) and WildPlaces has targeted funding, education, student training, and natural resource projects to restore, improve, and manage the Tule River. The focus is on the diversity of people who use the Tule River and teaching them how to take care of this beautiful natural resource. Join the dedicated volunteers of the Tule River Team in ongoing cleanup efforts and providing community education essential to the protection of the river. Through the Rio Limpio (Clean River) Project, WildPlaces organizes volunteer hike and bike river cleanup events at high-use areas during the late spring and summer and late spring to pick up trash and build community awareness. Please check the monthly events calendar on our home page or contact Denise Alonzo by e-mail at dalonzo@fs.fed.us for more information.
9. Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Trail Maintenance - Stewards of the Sequoia is the largest on-the-ground volunteer organization working in the Sequoia National Forest. Their volunteers perform maintenance on over 200 miles of trail each year. You can read about the work they do in this Stewards of the Sequoia Success Story (79kb pdf). Please check the Stewards of the Sequoia website for more information.