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.
