Volunteer Coordinator

Projects You Support

Experience Shenandoah, Stewards of Shenandoah

Shenandoah’s volunteer program is a powerful force that provides vital support and creates enthusiastic advocates for the park’s mission. Each year, approximately 700 volunteers donate more than 42,000 hours of their time to the park – an effort worth an astonishing $1.2 million in services and a priceless investment in building community connections. Volunteers perform backcountry patrols, wildlife surveys, astronomy and other interpretive programs, geologic research, and archaeological work. Our funding helps cover the cost of supplies, housing, uniforms, and vehicles, as well as the staff integral to coordinating this key program.

Project Title: Volunteer and Youth Project Lead

Project Purpose: to provide knowledgeable, hands-on support to volunteer conservation crews, corporate groups, youth groups, and large volunteer organizations.

Project Goals:

to enable the volunteer program to increase its capacity to establish new partnerships and initiatives by leveraging youth crews, interns, and other community resources
to plan and coordinate volunteer events, including Show Your Love for Shenandoah
to coordinate the Artist-in-Residence program, Shenandoah Youth Corps, Groundwork RVA, Art 180, SoulTrak, and other groups.

Project Impact: The Volunteer and Youth Project Lead will amplify efforts in conservation, inclusivity, and collaboration. Projects, groups, and crews coordinated and lead by the Volunteer and Youth Lead will contribute many thousands of hours of conservation work, 51,000 hours in 2023, to preserve and enhance the natural and cultural resources of the park. The Lead will continue to collaborate and build new relationships with groups to welcome youth from historically underrepresented groups in the park for education, recreation, and service events. They will emphasize involvement from all members of groups, encouraging individuals to bring their full selves to the park. The Lead will encourage communication and collaboration with many groups who contribute to the conservation of Shenandoah National Park including the Appalachian Conservation Corps (ACC) and Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC). These collaborations permit expertise exchange, efficiently utilize resources, and welcome many new perspectives to the park.