Docents are trained volunteers who interpret the cultural, natural and recreational resources for park visitors. A training program is conducted for each park where participants learn techniques of interpretive programs, and specific information about the natural and historical features of the park. Docents have opportunities for ongoing education once they have graduated from the docent training class. Docent duties may include hosting visitor centers, conducting nature walks and school program tours, and assisting with special events. Please contact the appropriate docent coordinator for a duty statement and training dates. Specific opportunities for each park are listed below.
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
831-338-3944
Henry Cowell State Park
831-335-7077
Santa Cruz Mission State Historical Park
831-459-7789
Natural Bridges State Beach
831-434-4609
The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
J831-685-6444
Rancho Del Oso State Park
831-427-2288
Seacliff State Beach
831-685-6444
Wilder Ranch State Park
831-426-0505
Docent Opportunities
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Docents are needed to conduct a variety of hikes and walks throughout the park. The most popular hikes needing docent participation are the redwood loop walks which are offered frequently during the summer and on weekends in the fall and spring. Docents are also needed to host the Nature Lodge and assist with special events.
Henry Cowell State Park
Docents at Henry Cowell have the opportunity to host the visitor center, conduct redwood loop walks, day hikes, school group tours, campfire programs, junior ranger programs (7-12 year olds), little ranger programs (3-6 year olds) and assist with some fun events such as Bug Day, Ohlone Day, and Halloween in the Park.
Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
Volunteer opportunities at Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park include special living history events like our Fiesta! in early October, the new olive pressing project in late fall, tule gathering in late summer and living history demonstrations on Sunday afternoons. Living history is also the focus of the ever-popular Mission Days, when local school children come to the park to learn about their heritage and the lifestyles of the Native American workers who lived here. Other opportunities include text translation, costuming, historic and native plant gardening, historic research and Visitor Center duties.
Natural Bridges State Park
There are two training programs for Natural Bridges each year: September and March on Wednesday evenings and Saturdays during the day. Docents lead monarch and tidepool tours for school groups during the week and the general public on weekends, host the Visitor Center, assist in the bookstore, help with special events, tend the milkweed garden, restore native plants, maintain the aquarium, share with others about the resources and more.
The Forest of Nisene Marks and Seacliff State Beach
Docents complete a training that allows them to conduct programs at both of these parks. School group tours of the redwoods at Nisene Marks and fossil walks at Seacliff are two of the most popular programs where docents are needed. Docents also host the Visitor Center, conduct other interpretive programs and assist with special events such as the annual Festival of the Cement Ship.
Rancho Del Oso State Park
Docents are needed on the weekends to host the Visitor Center and conduct nature walks.
Wilder Ranch State Park
Docents are primarily needed to conduct tours of the grounds and buildings in the historic complex. Docents dress in historic clothing and conduct tours as well as historic demonstrations. Other volunteer opportunities include hosting the Visitor Center and bookstore, blacksmithing, care and feeding of the farm animals, and assisting with special events.
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Campground Hosts
Campground hosts are recruited as visible representatives of the State Park System in the campgrounds. Usually they temporarily reside on-site. They assist the visitors and park staff with a variety of duties. If you are interested in becoming a campground host please contact the park.
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
831-338-8860
Manresa Uplands State Beach
831-761-1795
New Brighton State Beach
831-685-6441
Sunset State Beach
831-763-7064
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Horse Patrol / Bike Patrol
Volunteers participate in trail safety patrols that augment regular state park ranger patrols. Among other activities, patrol volunteers provide information and assistance to park visitors. If you are interested in becoming a mounted assistance volunteer, call Wilder Ranch at 831-423-9703.
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Trailworkers
Volunteers are active in maintaining the many miles of trails in the Santa Cruz District State Parks. There are one-day projects available as well as on-going work that is needed. If you are interested in volunteering as a trailworker, visit www.trailworkers.com.
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Student Interns
Unpaid college internships provide an opportunity for students to compliment academic studies with career related work experience. If you are interested in an internship contact the park coordinator.
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
831-338-3944
Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
Karma Graham 831-459-7789
Natural Bridges State Park
831-434-4609
The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
831-685-6444
Resources
831-429-2873
Seacliff State Beach
831-685-6444
Wilder Ranch State Park
831-426-0505
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Resource Management Volunteers
The wildland restoration project is involved in removing exotic plant species from the parks. If you are interested in becoming a resource volunteer contact Ken Moore at 831-423-2801 or Linda Brodman at 831-462-4041.
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Show us you care about the beautiful Santa Cruz District State Parks! There are a variety of volunteer opportunities available.