Individual Volunteer Opportunities
(Group Volunteer Programs also available)
We Need You! Volunteers are the heart of Lakeside's River Park effort.
Individual Volunteer Programs: (accepting Volunteers year round!)
The River Park is always in need of volunteers. Winter and spring are especially busy times. Because of this, we are in the process of developing many new volunteer programs to work on invasives removal and native plant introductions. Contact Cindy Collins, 619-443-4770 or Cindy@lakesideriverpark.org to learn more. Community Service, group volunteers, and court-ordered volunteer opportunities are available.
Riverbed Hikers
Do you enjoy taking nature hikes with friends? If so join Lakeside’s River Park Conservancy’s group of Riverbed Hikers. Help make the San Diego River safer by joining this group and hike through areas of the San Diego Riverbed in Lakeside to document trash levels, graffiti and possibly other undesirable activities. Riverbed Walkers have special permission to walk as a group in these areas and will be lead by a biologist. More info...
Weeds and Water
This team is meets Monday through Friday mornings to water newly planted natives in the river restoration area and San Diego River trail. This is a great way to help the local environment, learn about plants and wildlife and achieve community service volunteer hours. More info...
Herbicide Application Team (AKA Weed Warriors)
Under the directions of Amy Huie, a certified herbicide applicator, the "Weed Warriors" are dedicated to eradicating non-native species throughout the project via herbicide applications, cutting, and weeding. Areas of arundo and tamarisk have already been cleared and the Warriors are now turning their attention to castor bean, stink wort, and crown daisy. The team is committed to meeting one morning a week. More info...
Plant Nursery Group
The nursery group meets weekly to propagate and plant native plants along the trail and in the riverbed. They also cultivate the plants after placement with watering, weeding, and tender loving care. More info...
Special Events
Energetic and creative people are needed to help with the River Park’s Special Events. Assist in the production of fundraising events by planning, decoration, setting up, working the event and clean-up. Fundraising events help us to make new friends in the community, bring a broader awareness to our mission and raise the much needed funds for the San Diego River Trail maintenance/development, education and habitat restoration. More info...
Gatekeepers:
Gatekeepers are volunteers who are responsible for unlocking the two gates to the trail at dawn and/or locking them at dusk. Volunteers may select one or more days each week. Substitute gatekeepers fill in when the regular Gatekeeper is not available. More info...
River Park Patrol:
Lakeside’s River Park Conservancy Volunteer River Park Patrol are the eyes and ears of the land. Volunteers are dedicated to preserving the safety and habitat of the River Park by providing a visible presence, reporting and educating.
More info...
Outreach Ambassadors
Outreach Ambassadors help promote Lakeside's River Park Conservancy at many important community and county wide events and to local groups. More info...
Mailing Volunteers
Would you like to join our list of Mailing Volunteers, sign your group up for a mailing project or possibly host a "mailing party"? More info...
Nest Box Volunteers:
Volunteers work with school and community groups to build nest boxes for native animals such as owls, western bluebirds, flycatchers, and bats. They also install boxes and monitor the animals using them during breeding season. More info...