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
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.
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
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.
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
Help cultivate a thriving habitat for bees, butterflies, and native pollinators through weeding, planting, and landscaping. You'll take home skills you can use in your own garden, too.
Flexible Schedule- Located at the Headquarters site at 24518 Ranch Rd 1431, Marble Falls, TX 78654
Trail Crew
Get hands-on in the field building and maintaining the trails that connect people with the Texas Hill Country. No experience necessary — just enthusiasm and a love for the outdoors. Monthly work days, often on the 2nd Saturday at 8:30 AM.
Next Work days Fall 2026
10 October [8:30 - 11:30 am]
14 November [8:30 - 11:30 am]
12 December [8:30 - 11:30 am]
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!
Visitor Center Volunteer
Visitor Center Volunteers at Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge serve as welcoming ambassadors for the refuge, providing visitors with information about trails, wildlife, recreational opportunities, and refuge programs. They assist guests by answering questions, sharing information about the refuge’s unique habitats and conservation efforts, distributing maps and educational materials, and helping ensure visitors have a safe, enjoyable, and informative experience while exploring the refuge.
Refuge Ambassador
Pilot — Be Among the First!
Do you love this land and want others to love it too? Become a Refuge Ambassador — a trained community advocate for the Refuge.
This Fall we are launching our first training class. The majority of volunteer opportunities will happen weekends, with some weekday options.
As an Ambassador you'll learn about the conservation story and mission of BCNWR and then put that knowledge to work. Ambassadors will help greet guests, answer questions, and provide information at refuge public use areas or at community events.
No prior experience required — just curiosity, enthusiasm, and a love for the Texas Hill Country.
Apply here. Deadline is July 22
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.
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.
Business Partnerships
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!
RV/Seasonal Volunteers
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!
