Volunteer
We Can't Accomplish Our Mission Without You!
This place runs on people like you — and if you've ever hiked a Balcones trail or spotted a warbler in the Hill Country, you already know why it's worth protecting.
You can be a part of what keeps it wild.
LEAD & ORGANIZE
Member Stewardship Chair
Community is what makes conservation last. The Member Stewardship Chair leads our volunteer committee in making every Friends of Balcones member feel seen, valued, and genuinely connected to the wild lands we protect together. This isn't just a role — it's the heartbeat of our community.
What you'll do:
Welcome new members with personal outreach — handwritten notes, phone calls, and invitations that set the tone for a lasting relationship with the Refuge
Lead and coordinate the Member Stewardship Committee, a small team of dedicated volunteers
Plan and host four quarterly member events — from guided wildlife walks to volunteer days to celebration gatherings
Serve as a Board leader, attending quarterly Board meetings and the annual retreat to represent our m
ember community
Who you are: A natural connector — you remember names, love bringing people together, and understand that a handwritten note can mean more than a hundred emails. Organized enough to run a quarterly event calendar, warm enough to make a brand-new member feel like they've found their people.
Time commitment: Monthly committee meetings + quarterly Board meetings + 4 member events per year. You won't do this alone — a committee of volunteers, full Board partnership, and the FOB team support you every step of the way.
Member Stewardship Committee
Want to make every Friends of Balcones member feel like they belong? The Member Stewardship Committee is the team behind that experience — the people who write the welcome notes, host the member mixers, and make sure no one slips through the cracks.
What the committee does:
Reaches out to new and lapsing members with personal, heartfelt touchpoints (emails, handwritten notes, phone calls)
Plans and staffs quarterly member events throughout the year
Works with the Executive Director and Member Stewardship Chair to keep the member
community engaged and growing
Time commitment: Monthly committee meeting + occasional event support. Flexible — your level of involvement can grow with your availability.
Birding Events
BCNWR is a top birding destination in Texas. With more than 245 possible Bird Species including the Endangered Golden-cheeked Warbler and the Threatened Black-capped Vireo - there is excellent birding 365 days a year at our Public Trailheads and at special guided hikes and birding events in areas of the Refuge rarely seen.
Join us if you are interested in volunteering and getting closer to the Birds. Volunteer activities include events such as Sparrowfest, Songbird Tours, and Birding Hikes. We're looking for help in four areas:
Event planning — registration coordination, guide coordination, logistics, and day-of operations
Marketing & PR — social media, advertising, community outreach, and press relations
Fundraising — coordinating additional fundraising activities tied to the festival
Day of Event — helping shape the overall experience
Board & Committee Roles
Whether you're a marketer, graphic designer, social media whiz, accountant, or lawyer — your professional expertise can make a real difference at Balcones Canyonlands. Help us protect and grow this refuge with the skills you already have.
CONNECT & EDUCATE
School Field Trip Volunteer
Volunteer with us as a school field trip volunteer. Inspire young minds, lead educational activities and foster a love for conservation. Make a difference in the next generation's appreciation for our natural world. Field trip volunteers lead small groups of children and host small activities to educate students about nature. Once you are trained, you’ll be invited to view the calendar of opportunities and sign up for the days you are interested in helping!
Please click below to share your interest in becoming a field trip volunteer!
Visitor Center Volunteer
Volunteer at our visitor center, welcoming guests, providing information, and promoting conservation. Be the face of our refuge, sharing its wonders with visitors! Visitor Center volunteers sign up for shifts at the Wildlife Refuge and will work from the desk in the visitor center at the Refuge headquarters. If you do not live locally and would like to volunteer, see the RV Volunteer section further down the page.
Please click below to go to sign up!
GET OUTSIDE
Get your hands dirty for a cause!
Guided HIke Leader
Lead visitors through public and non-public areas of the Refuge while sharing the stories, wildlife, and landscapes that make Balcones Canyonlands extraordinary. This is a role for people who love the outdoors and want to share that love — training provided.
Admission is application-based. Training happens once a year in the fall. Leaders commit to at least two guided hikes per year (October–May season).
Applications are open now and due July 3, 2026
Pollinator Garden
Dive into the world of pollinators! Volunteer in our vibrant garden, where buzzing bees and fluttering butterflies thrive. Help cultivate a haven for these vital creatures, through weeding, landscaping and planting. In addition to building a better habitat at the Refuge, you’ll take home valuable skills that you can use to make your own garden at home!
Please click below to share your interest in becoming a pollinator garden volunteer!
Trail Crew
Join us in hands-on nature work that contributes to the health of wildlife and the community! No experience needed, just a love for the outdoors and a desire to make a difference. Join us in building and maintaining trails that connect people with the great outdoors. No experience necessary—just bring your enthusiasm and willingness to make a difference. Work alongside fellow volunteers, forging paths that lead to adventure and exploration! Please click below to share your interest in becoming a trail volunteer!
8:30 AM Upcoming Dates:
January 10, 2026
February 14, 2026
March 14, 2026
April 11, 2026
BRING YOUR SKILLS
Are you a nature enthusiast with a knack for public engagement? Engage with the community on behalf of the Refuge through special events and programs! Inspire others to connect with and protect our natural world.
Special Events Volunteer
Refuge events are a key part of engaging the community with the Refuge. Special event volunteers help these critical events go smoothly by hosting tables, helping with event organization, and interacting with visitors throughout the event. Complete this interest form if you’d like to be notified when we are seeking volunteers for special events! Requirements for special event volunteers will depend upon the event and specific role.
Please click below to share your interest in volunteering for special events!
Visitor Services RV Volunteer
Visitor Services duties include staffing the visitor center, educational programs, providing interpretive services such as working special events, restocking brochures, cleaning the interior and exterior of public areas including restroom facilities, and outdoor/indoor maintenance work. Additional duties may vary depending on individual interest, skills, and talents. Must be able to provide resume. 24 hours per person a week for couples, 32 hours a week for one person alone. Full hook up RV spot and laundry facility provided. Must be able to provide your own lodging (RV, 5th wheel, Travel trailer. )Please click below to go to Volunteer.gov to sign up!
Board and Committee Roles
Whether you're a marketer, graphic designer, social media whiz, accountant, or lawyer, your expertise can make a difference! Help us continue to protect and preserve land in Hill Country with your professional skills. Please click below to share your interest!
Guided Hike Leader
Step off the beaten path and become a Guided Hike Leader at Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge! This is your chance to turn your love of nature into meaningful impact—leading visitors through stunning, non-public areas of the Refuge while sharing the stories, wildlife, and landscapes that make this place so special. As a Guided Hike Leader, you’ll inspire curiosity, connection, and stewardship, helping our community experience Balcones Canyonlands in a deeper, more memorable way.
Guided Hike Leaders play a vital role in advancing our mission by opening doors to exclusive areas of the Refuge and creating unforgettable outdoor experiences for the public.
To become a Guided Hike Leader, interested volunteers must complete a specialized training program offered once each year in the fall. Admission is application-based. After training, leaders commit to guiding at least two hikes per year during the active season (October–May) to remain in the program.
Ready to lead, inspire, and explore?
Complete our short interest form to receive the application and details about the upcoming fall training program—and take the first step toward becoming part of this dedicated volunteer team.
Professional Skills
Whether you're a marketer, graphic designer, social media whiz, accountant, or lawyer, your expertise can make a difference! Help us continue to protect and preserve land in Hill Country with your professional skills. Please click below to share your interest!
Corporate Volunteerism
Make a positive impact through your company and volunteer with us! Our corporate volunteer program makes it easy for your employees to engage in hands-on activities that support local wildlife and community health while bonding as team. No experience required—just bring your enthusiasm for the outdoors and a passion for making a difference. Sign up your corporate team today to give back and reconnect with nature!