Volunteer Opportunities From: Volunteer Prince William

Leopold's Preserve offers volunteer events on the third Saturday morning of each month, from February through November.

Volunteers are welcome to stay as long as they'd like - drop in for an hour, or stay for the full event. Our volunteer activities are suitable for ages 13 and up, but volunteers under 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. If you are interested in a volunteer event for younger children, please contact us.

 

Activities rotate on a monthly basis, but typically include trail maintenance, invasive plant management, and brush clearing. All participants must register through our website so we can reach out with information about where to meet and details regarding the activity. If we need to cancel due to inclement weather, only registered participants will be notified. Register at www.leopoldspreserve.com/calendar.

 

Attire: please wear long sleeves and pants to protect against thorns, insect bites, and poison ivy. All volunteers must wear sturdy, close-toed shoes sutiable for walking on uneven and muddy ground. To keep yourself comfortable, we recommend bringing a hat, sunscreen, and bug spray.

 

Equipment: please bring your own pair of protective work gloves. The gloves should be made of a sturdy material such as leather. If you can, please bring a pair of garden clippers (pruners or similar). There is no running water available on site - you must bring your own bottle of water to drink.

 

Keep an eye on your inbox on the day before the event. We'll send you details about where to meet and what to expect.

Volunteering is an excellent way to connect with new people, learn new skills, and enjoy the outdoors for health and well-being. The Leopold’s Preserve Trail Ambassador Volunteer Program offers an opportunity for independent outdoor volunteering with a flexible schedule, making it an ideal role for those with busy lifestyles.

Leopold’s Preserve is a 380-acre park located near Haymarket, VA. Our trails are free to access and open to the public daily. They are enjoyed by thousands of visitors annually, including hikers, runners, dog walkers, and wildlife enthusiasts.

Trail Ambassadors assist the Park Manager in caring for the Preserve’s seven-mile trail system. Ambassadors are assigned a section (or sections depending on capacity and demand) of the trail to monitor and maintain. We ask Ambassadors to walk their section periodically and keep a record of any issues: take a picture, note the location, and provide details of any problems before reporting back to the Park Manager. Ambassadors serve as our “eyes and ears” on the trail and ensure maintenance issues are logged and completed.

Responsibilities

Walk your assigned section of the trail two or three times each month. Complete minor repair or maintenance tasks along your section of the trail including cleaning signs, trimming overhanging vegetation, and picking up small amounts of debris or litter. Immediately report any emergencies, such as a fallen tree blocking the trail. Provide friendly guidance to visitors you encounter along the trail, including answering questions about the Preserve and sharing information about our rules. After walking your section of the trail, file a report through our online portal. This will quickly alert our staff about the maintenance issues you identify.

Ready to get started? To join the Leopold’s Preserve Trail Ambassador Program, please contact us at info@whfarmfoundation.org, or call (571) 358-2098. We’ll share more details about the program and the date of our next Trail Ambassador training session. Once you’ve attended training (about 1 hour in length), you’ll be all set to monitor the trails! Learn more at https://www.leopoldspreserve.com/trail-ambassador.

We welcome both individuals and groups to join us as Trail Ambassadors. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old to participate. For volunteer groups, at least one member must be 18 or older.

Looking to gain volunteer experience, earn community service hours, or participate in environmental stewardship? Leopold's Preserve is proud to offer our Friday Conservation Corps in partnership with the Bull Run Mountains Conservancy. Each Friday from 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM we offer drop-in/drop-out outdoor volunteer activities including trash cleanup, brush clearing, and more. Sign up for an hour or stay for the morning! Conservation activities are suitable for ages 13 and up, but volunteers under 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.   To participate, please register for a specific date and time on our website. Volunteer activities and work locations change each week - we will let you know where to meet us after you sign up.   www.leopoldspreserve.com/calendar