Volunteer Land Stewards

Become a Volunteer Land Steward!

Joining the Volunteer Land Steward program is a meaningful way to support OVLC’s mission of protecting and restoring the natural landscapes of the Ojai Valley forever. Stewardship is essential for maintaining the health of our preserves, fostering community connections, and ensuring visitors can enjoy these natural spaces responsibly. By becoming a Land Steward, you contribute directly to the care and sustainability of these cherished landscapes, giving back to the land and community in a tangible and impactful way.

Report My Volunteer Land Steward Work

What is a VOLUNTEER Land Steward?

The Volunteer Land Steward program is key to OVLC's commitment to conservation, ensuring our preserves remain safe, clean, and healthy for future generations. This program offers volunteers the flexibility to enhance the visitor experience by maintaining recreational resources like signs, fencing, and waste stations on their own schedule. Participants take on responsibilities such as promoting responsible water recreation, cleaning up trash and micro-debris, and carrying out projects for preserve maintenance and beautification. Every task—whether maintaining trails or educating visitors—contributes to protecting and respecting the Ojai Valley's lands for future generations.

Volunteer Land Steward Opportunities

  • Engage with visitors to answer questions, promote responsible trail use, and encourage sustainable recreation practices while helping them understand the ecological importance of the land. Serve as an on-the-ground presence to guide visitors and share OVLC’s mission of conservation.

  • Focus on promoting responsible water recreation across OVLC preserves. Tasks include cleaning up trash and micro-debris caused by heightened use and educating visitors on preserving riparian ecosystems.

  • Assist with repairing and maintaining essential infrastructure like fencing, gates, and signage.

  • Help build, repair, and maintain benches across the preserves for visitors to enjoy.

  • Ensure kiosks are clean, well-maintained, and stocked with updated maps and information.

  • Address and remove graffiti or other vandalism to preserve the natural beauty of the trails.

  • Participate in organized efforts to remove litter and debris, ensuring the preserves remain pristine.

  • Support conservation research and preserve safety by maintaining and monitoring trail cameras, collecting valuable wildlife data, and gathering surveillance footage to help identify and address any misuse of the land.

  • Bring your unique skills to the program! Whether it’s photography, ecological knowledge, or technical expertise, there’s always room for innovation.

Benefits of Being a Volunteer Land Steward

  • Exclusive access to OVLC special events and volunteer outings.

  • Opportunities to deepen your understanding of local ecology and conservation practices.

  • The rewarding experience of making a lasting impact on the health and beauty of the Ojai Valley.

  • Volunteering on your own time.

Two men wearing casual clothes and caps are picking up trash in a park or nature reserve. They are holding a large black trash bag and collecting litter on a dirt pathway. There are informational signs and bushes in the background, with mountains and a clear blue sky visible.

Volunteers remove trash from the Ventura River Preserve.

  • Comprehensive training for all tasks and responsibilities.

  • Tools, materials, and supplies needed for your stewardship activities.

  • Ongoing support from OVLC staff to ensure a successful and enjoyable experience.

What We Provide

Commitment Requirements

  • Flexible time commitments to fit your schedule, with opportunities to volunteer individually, as a family, with friends, or as part of a group. Let us know how you want to volunteer!

  • Participation in initial training sessions and periodic updates.

  • Friendly and professional representation of OVLC’s mission and values while volunteering.

DO YOU WANT TO BE A VOLUNTEER LAND STEWARD?

Our preserves thrive because of the dedication of volunteers like you. Becoming a Volunteer Land Steward is more than an opportunity to give back—it’s a chance to connect deeply with the land, foster community, and leave a legacy of care for future generations. Join us in protecting and restoring the Ojai Valley’s natural landscapes and make a difference that lasts forever. We hope you will consider becoming a Volunteer Steward.

Click the button below and fill out our form. Under Outdoor Volunteer Opportunities, please select Volunteer Steward and let us know how you would like to help.

Sign up to become a volunteer land steward »

what we do

Our mission is to protect and restore the natural landscapes of the Ojai Valley forever. 


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