How to Become a Poudre Wilderness Volunteer

 Do you...
  • Have a love of Colorado Wilderness?
  • Already hike or ride the trails and want to do so with an added purpose?
  • Have the ability to hike at least 4 miles with a 15 pound pack?
  • Have a dedication to learning and teaching Leave No Trace principles and implementing positive land stewardship and conservation practices?
  • Enjoy meeting new friends and visiting beautiful places?
  • Want to give back by helping maintain the trails and campsites we all enjoy?
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What we do
  • PWV members range in age from 18 to over 80 and cover a broad spectrum of professions, knowledge, and skills.
  • Members make a commitment to “hike and ride with a purpose” at least six days during the year. PWV patrollers wear a uniform shirt and name badge and serve by assisting and educating the public and protecting and conserving the resource.
  • Most patrols are day hikes but members may also choose multi-day backpacking trips.
  • While patrolling, members keep records and report observations to the US Forest Service; look for and report sign and other trail-safety issues; deal with illegal/improper campsites, fire rings, and trash; report and/or remove downed trees blocking trails.
  • We practice and educate others about Leave No Trace principles.
  • Members can join teams to treat noxious weed infestations and perform trail maintenance.
  • PWV is a 100% volunteer organization so we cover our own travel costs and supply our own equipment as well as horses or llamas - if we intend to patrol with stock.
  • We do not have any law enforcement responsibility, carry firearms, or patrol with pets.
  • PWV members enjoy social gatherings and education programs such as Front Range Geology and Using Maps and Compasses.
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How to Join
  • Recruitment for new Poudre Wilderness Volunteers opens January through early March of each year with an online application process.
  • Interviews with PWV volunteers and Forest Service personnel are conducted in March/April. Interviews are informative and open for your questions.
  • A mandatory field training weekend for new members takes place in May.
  • While most members actively patrol trails, others who share our values join as non-patrolling members and serve in other ways (e.g., fundraising committee work, website development, office support).
  • Contact us with your desire to join and we will notify you when it is time to apply online.
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Stay in touch

A good way to learn more about PWV is to subscribe to our newsletter. Pertinent dates for membership plus stories about all the work we do will give you an idea if PWV is right for you.