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Volunteer With Saved By Nature
Transform Lives Through Nature-Based Volunteering in the Bay Area
Saved By Nature offers diverse volunteer opportunities in San Jose, San Francisco, and throughout the Bay Area for people passionate about environmental justice and community impact. Whether you're seeking volunteer opportunities for teenagers, volunteer work for high school students, or meaningful ways for adults to give back, we welcome volunteers of all ages and backgrounds to join our mission of connecting underserved communities with transformative outdoor experiences.
12,000+
Participants Served Since 2019
6,931
Youth Reached
Table of Contents
Why Volunteer With Saved By Nature?
Make Measurable Community Impact
Your volunteer work directly transforms lives in Santa Clara, San Jose, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Cruz counties. Help eliminate barriers that prevent underserved communities from experiencing nature's healing benefits.
Flexible Volunteer Opportunities for All Schedules
We offer volunteer opportunities for teens with after-school availability, weekend volunteer work for high school students and adults, intensive summer volunteer opportunities, and professional skills-based volunteering.
Gain Valuable Experience & Training
Volunteers receive certifications including Wilderness First Aid/CPR, Leave No Trace training, and environmental interpretation skills. High school students gain community service hours while developing leadership experience. Educational volunteers receive training in history, trail etiquette, safety, communication, and environmental interpretation. Volunteers in Active status are celebrated at our annual volunteer appreciation event.
Join a Mission-Driven Community
Connect with passionate individuals committed to environmental equity and social justice. Our volunteer community includes educators, outdoor enthusiasts, retirees, high school students, corporate partners, and community members.
Volunteer Opportunities in San Jose, San Francisco & Throughout the Bay Area
Whether you want to lead nature hikes, mentor youth, support community outreach, help with events, or contribute professional skills—we have meaningful volunteer opportunities throughout the Bay Area that match your interests, skills, and schedule.
Ways You Can Volunteer
Program Leadership
Guide community nature hikes and interpretive presentations. Roles include leading families, educating guests on local flora and fauna, and acting as a hike sweep to ensure group safety. (Must be 18+)
Community Outreach
Connect underserved communities with nature programs through community partnerships and event tabling. Help create multilingual materials, manage social media, and share our mission as an outgoing ambassador at partner events.
Event Support
Assist with setup, participant check-in, equipment distribution, and photography for monthly programs and major annual events like our Inclusive Nature Hike and Hispanic Heritage Celebration.
Professional Skills
Apply your expertise in grant writing, fundraising, marketing, communications, graphic design, database management, or nonprofit operations to support our mission.
Youth Mentorship
Support environmental education programs at the Boys & Girls Clubs, Youth Alliance, and Fresh Lifelines for Youth. Volunteers assist with after-school field trips, the Summer Science Project, and the Alive Outside Adventure Series. (Background check required; overnight backpacking opportunities available).
Time commitments range from 3-15 hours per month depending on the role, with flexible scheduling to accommodate your availability. All volunteers receive comprehensive training, including Wilderness First Aid/CPR certification for outdoor leadership roles.
Volunteer Opportunities for Teenagers & High School Students
Saved By Nature welcomes teenage volunteers and provides meaningful opportunities for high school students to earn community service hours while making real community impact. Our volunteer opportunities for teens offer flexible scheduling, comprehensive training, and mentorship from experienced outdoor educators.
Why High School Students Choose Our Volunteer Opportunities
Earn Community Service Hours
All volunteer roles qualify for community service credit required for high school graduation, college applications, and honor society participation.
Gain Leadership Experience
Develop skills in environmental education, youth mentorship, event coordination, and community outreach that strengthen college applications and future career opportunities.
Receive Professional Training
High school student volunteers receive the same certifications as adults, including Wilderness First Aid/CPR, Leave No Trace training, and environmental interpretation skills.
Make Measurable Impact
Unlike many teen volunteer opportunities, your work directly transforms lives by eliminating barriers preventing underserved communities from experiencing nature.
Best Volunteer Opportunities for High School Students
Teen Hike Assistant (Ages 16+): Support lead guides during monthly Community Nature Hikes and Senior Wellness Hikes. Weekend availability required (4-6 hours per month).
Youth Program Volunteer (Ages 15+): Assist with Summer Science Project and After School Field Trips. Flexible after-school and summer availability (6-10 hours per month).
Event Support Volunteer (Ages 14+): Help with logistics, participant check-in, and equipment distribution. Variable commitment (4-8 hours per event, 1-2 events per month).
Social Media Ambassador (Ages 15+): Create content and manage Instagram/TikTok posts. Flexible schedule (3-5 hours per month).
Volunteer Opportunities in San Francisco
San Francisco volunteer opportunities include:
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Hike leader positions for SF parks and coastal areas.
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Outreach ambassador roles connecting with SF communities.
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Accessibility coordination ensuring barrier-free programs.
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Administrative support for our San Francisco County programming.
All SF volunteer positions offer flexible scheduling and comprehensive training.
Volunteer Opportunities in San Jose & Santa Clara County
San Jose volunteer opportunities span all program areas including:
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Community Nature Hikes throughout Santa Clara County.
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Summer Science Project support at Boys & Girls Clubs across San Jose.
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Bay Area Coastal Adventures departing from San Jose.
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Professional skills–based volunteering opportunities (remote or from our Campbell office).
Santa Clara volunteer work addresses critical access barriers facing underserved South Bay communities.
Volunteer Training & Support
Comprehensive Volunteer Orientation
All new volunteers attend a comprehensive orientation covering Saved By Nature's mission and environmental justice approach, program-specific roles and responsibilities, safety protocols and emergency procedures, cultural competency and trauma-informed practices, and tools and resources for volunteer success.
Ongoing Professional Development
Wilderness First Aid & CPR Certification: Hike leaders and youth mentors receive free certification training meeting industry safety standards.
Leave No Trace Training: Environmental education for all volunteers covering outdoor ethics and sustainable recreation principles.
Environmental Interpretation Skills: Learn to engage diverse audiences with Bay Area ecology, wildlife, and conservation topics.
Youth Development Training: For volunteers working with at-promise youth, specialized training in trauma-informed care and positive youth development.
Cultural Competency Education: Understanding barriers facing underserved communities and creating inclusive, welcoming outdoor experiences.
Volunteer Recognition & Appreciation
Annual volunteer appreciation events celebrating community impact, volunteer spotlight features on social media and newsletters, certificates of service documenting hours and contributions, recommendation letters for students and career changers, and priority registration for special members-only outdoor experiences.
Volunteer Impact: What Your Contribution Achieves
By the Numbers: Volunteer-Driven Community Transformation
12,000+
Participants served since 2019 through volunteer-supported programming
4,589
Community members guided on nature hikes by volunteer leaders
6,931
Youth reached through volunteer-assisted environmental education
941
Seniors supported through volunteer-led wellness hikes
Ready to Make an Impact? Join Our Volunteer Community Today
Transform lives through nature. Build community connections. Advance environmental justice in the Bay Area.
Whether you're seeking volunteer opportunities in San Jose, volunteer work in San Francisco, opportunities for teenagers to volunteer, or meaningful ways to give back as an adult—Saved By Nature welcomes you to join our mission of connecting underserved communities with transformative outdoor experiences.
Your skills, passion, and time create lasting change.
Whether you're seeking volunteer opportunities in San Jose, volunteer work in San Francisco, opportunities for teenagers to volunteer, or meaningful ways to give back as an adult—Saved By Nature welcomes you to join our mission of connecting underserved communities with transformative outdoor experiences.