Volunteer Opportunities
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with CFPA. We currently have the following volunteer position vacancies and opportunities. Details on how to apply for positions or sign up for opportunities can be found in each description.
Ridgerunner: New England Trail
CFPA is looking for volunteers to take part in the inaugural New England Trail (NET) Connecticut Ridgerunner Program. The NET provides a valuable connection to the natural world and access to classic New England scenery for its multitude of users. Ridgerunners will spend their time patrolling sections of the trail, interacting with the public and promoting a quality recreational experience for NET users. For a detailed description of the position, click HERE. To apply, send your resume and a letter of interest to ccain@ctwoodlands.org.
Trail Manager
Must be willing to hike the designated section of trail 3 times a year, work with handtools and enjoy the outdoors. Trail maintenance experience preferred. Conact Clare for more details, ccain@ctwoodlands.org.
Current Vacancies:
-Shenipsit Connector Trail (Vernon)
-Iron Trail (Canaan)
WalkCT Family Guide (your neighborhood)
Our Family Guides lead WalkCT Family Rambles, which are free, fun, and easygoing outings scheduled on the last weekend of every month and designed to introduce children and their caregivers to the great outdoors. Each WalkCT Family Guide is asked to choose and lead two simple hikes and participate in at least two training sessions each year. Choose a trail you already know and love or find a trail that is newer to you that you want to explore. Each guide is encouraged to attend our safety training offering, and all have criminal background checks to alleviate issues of participant safety. For the next training dates, or more information, please visit www.ctwoodlands.org/eduvolunteer.
Interpretive Volunteers (Goodwin Conservation and Education Center--Hampton, CT)
The Goodwin Conservation and Education Center is looking for volunteers who would like to learn about forests, wildlife, and conservation, and be willing to share that knowledge with visitors to the Center and Goodwin State Forest.
“Docents”, as these volunteers are called, are trained individuals who provide invaluable assistance to the staff and the public. They answer visitors’ questions and interpret for them the historical, natural and recreational resources of the Goodwin State Forest & Conservation and Education Center.
Docents are asked to attend a one-day training session, offered in April. Topics include the history of the Goodwin Center & State Forest, the Goodwin Center museum and educational displays, the Goodwin State Forest management program, and the trail system. After completing the training, they commit to at least one season of volunteering, a minimum of four hours each month from May-October.
For more information or to sign up contact:
Kim Kelly (Kimberly.a.kelly@ct.gov; 860-455-9534) or
Steve Broderick (sbroderick@ctwoodlands.org; 860-455-9534).
The Goodwin Conservation and Education Center and the Goodwin State Forest in were gifts to the people of Connecticut from James L. Goodwin, one of America’s first professional foresters. Together the Center and Forest include 2,000 acres of forests and habitats, 14 miles of hiking and multi-purpose trails, 3 large ponds and a nature museum. The Center is managed jointly by the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection and The Connecticut Forest & Park Association, Inc.
