The Colorado State Forest Service involves volunteers in many of our operational efforts including wildfire and fuels mitigation, education and public awareness, urban forestry, tree plantings and watershed protection.

Our mission is to achieve stewardship of Colorado's environment through forestry outreach and service. We provide stewardship opportunities in rural and urban settings to mitigate the damaging effects of wildfire, insects, disease, wind, water and people. Additionally, volunteer opportunities convey how the Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) serves Colorado citizens and facilitates responsible land management.

Volunteers are involved in many CSFS efforts including, but not limited to wildfire and fuels mitigation, education and public awareness, urban forestry, tree plantings, trail design and construction, watershed protection, insect and disease assistance, and general community and/or landowner assistance.

The CSFS volunteer program encourages various levels of commitment. These include short-term projects, group projects or one-time special projects. Volunteers are encouraged to participate in our formalized Volunteer Forest Steward (VFS) Program that focuses on training and education, and entails an initial six-to-eight hour training course. The course includes:

• A general history of CSFS — who we are and what we do
• Trees 101 — an introductory tree course
• The art and science of public relations — volunteers as ambassadors
• An introduction and discussion about forest ecology and forest management