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Open Space recognizes volunteers; staff reports 17,000 volunteer hours and education outreach
Summary
OSMP staff highlighted volunteer program results for 2025 — more than 1,500 volunteers contributing over 17,000 hours (estimated impact $638,000), a mix of ongoing programs, one‑day projects, a paid 'ready‑to‑work' crew, junior rangers and education naturalists who supported roughly 3,000 student interactions.
Staff presented an overview of the Open Space and Mountain Parks volunteer program, noting 1,500+ volunteers contributed more than 17,000 hours in 2025 and that those hours equate to roughly $638,000 in program impact (staff cited a return‑on‑investment calculation based on staffing and supply budgets). Program manager Debbie Cushman described program components — ongoing volunteer crews, trail programs, trailhead and maintenance volunteers, climate‑action one‑day projects, a paid contract crew (Ready to Work) and the junior ranger program. She highlighted volunteer training and program growth since the pandemic and noted new initiatives such as cultural‑resource monitoring training and expanded youth/family volunteer opportunities.
Two volunteer naturalists described school and community education programs they run, noting multi‑week field trips, junior ranger training and outreach to thousands of students. Board members thanked volunteers and staff and noted the volunteer program's value in stewardship, education and access.
Why it matters: the volunteer program provides substantial capacity for trail work, habitat stewardship and environmental education and supports many of OSMP's programmatic goals.
Quote: "We had over 1,500 volunteers who gave over 17,000 hours of their time, which is really phenomenal," volunteerism manager Debbie Cushman said.
Next steps: staff invited trustees to participate in volunteer activities, to continue promoting recordkeeping in the volunteer hours database and to discuss opportunities to expand volunteer roles in fire mitigation education and projects.
