VOLUNTEER
WILDERNESS RANGERS
Join our team of Trailhead Hosts and Trail Patrollers.
What do Wilderness Rangers Do?
Volunteer Wilderness Rangers (VWRs) can take on two roles: TRAIL PATROLLERS and/or TRAILHEAD HOSTS. In both capacities, they act as official volunteer representatives of the United States Forest Service, engaging with the public, educating them, and promoting Leave No Trace principles.
VWRs also document information regarding hikers and trail conditions, submitting reports to share their findings with the local Forest Service.
Each VWR is required to complete a minimum of four patrols or Trailhead Host sessions annually.
How Do I Become a Wilderness Ranger?
All VWRs go through the same training program and pursue the same objectives. VWR Training requires watching about 2 hours of instructional videos on your own plus a full day of in-person training.
Are you interested in volunteering as a Wilderness Ranger? First join and donate to become an ESWA member, then sign up for the May 31st VWR training class here. We'd love to have you on board!
VWR Trailhead Host
VWR Trailhead Hosts post themselves at a trailhead to educate people who are beginning their hike into the Wilderness. They report various trail head statistics.
VWR Patroller
VWR Patrollers sign up for hikes on popular trails and educate the people they encounter about Leave No Trace and the Wilderness. They report various statistics at the end of their hike.
VWR Llama Trips
VWRs can participate in ESWA's overnight Llama trips into the Wilderness. During these trips, they educate people and perform trail work like eliminating illegal fire rings. See the Events Page for upcoming Llama Trips.
