Volunteering not only assists Friends in continuing our Mission, but also offers unexpected rewards for those who participate. Apart from the sense of pride and accomplishment that comes with working on individual projects, many Friends volunteers (and all of the staff) feel a sense of family that comes naturally with the shared values, exchange of ideas, and respect for each other and the environment that brings us together.
Fundraise by volunteering at Acrisure Arena events! Volunteers assist with concession stand operations as cashiers, vendors, and stand workers.
Friends receives a percentage of sales per stand from the sales for any event we volunteer for. This is a great revenue for Friends that helps us support our mission to help people Connect to the Land.
There are different types of fun and exciting events available year around. This includes hockey games and concerts. Schedules vary depending on the event times. Shifts are about four hours but check the Opportunities Calendar for specific details.
Volunteers provide information and interpretation to the public regarding natural and human history, education programs, recreation opportunities, and rules and regulations in the National Monument. There is also a gift shop with retail sales of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument merchandise and associated items.
This opportunity is available year around from Thursdays to Mondays. (Visitors Center is closed on Tuesdays & Wednesdays) There are two shifts available. The morning shifts are from 8:30am to 12:00pm and the afternoon shift is from 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Open to adults who enjoy communicating with members of the public.
Volunteers work with schools, scouts, and other extra-curricular youth groups to provide outdoor learning and nature experience for kids. Volunteers may work indoors or outdoors with kids of all ages.
*Background check required
One of the first modern champions of desert conservation, Randall Henderson, wrote about two deserts. One desert is "grim desolate wasteland", and exists only in the imagination of those who have never seen it for themselves, or who speed by it on the highway. The other desert, the Real Desert, is hidden to "superficial observers".
Friends offers interpretive hikes throughout our desert and surrounding mountains to introduce people to the Real Desert so that we can all appreciate it's beauty, fragility, and complexity. The Interpretive Hikes Volunteer Program offers different roles that you can choose from. Volunteers can participate as hike leaders, assistants or oversee the check-in/ information booth.
There are many different hikes, bird walks and lectures offered throughout the Coachella Valley year around. See the opportunities tab for specific details.
Friends of the Desert Mountains connects people to the land through conservation, education, and research. We also are the official non-profit partner of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument.
