GROWING STEWARDSHIP
EVERYONE HAS A PLACE IN NATURE
THE IMPORTANCE OF OUR COMMITMENT
VOC is committed to creating a welcoming and accessible statewide stewardship community where all people feel encouraged and empowered to care for Colorado’s natural resources. This commitment is reflected in every aspect of our work, from hands-on volunteer projects to the partnerships we cultivate behind the scenes. By fostering broad community engagement, we aim to strengthen and sustain a shared commitment to outdoor stewardship for generations to come.
SUSTAINABLE STEWARDSHIP
Colorado's demographics are constantly changing. We strive to change in tandem with them to provide an engaged volunteer workforce for future Coloradans.
OUTDOOR ACCESS
Nature is everywhere, and everyone deserves to enjoy it. We are expanding our work into cities and rural areas to truly care for all of Colorado.
FOR THE PEOPLE,
BY THE PEOPLE
Who better to tell us what they need than the people themselves? We are always working to better serve all Coloradans.
OPEN ARMS,
OPEN DOORS
Positive outdoor experiences can inspire a lifelong connection to nature, further education, and even career paths. We strive to create an environment where everyone feels welcome and safe while giving back to Colorado’s outdoors
HONORING ORIGINAL STEWARDS
Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) acknowledges the original stewards of the lands we serve today. Prior to their forced removal, many Indigenous peoples called Colorado home and we thank them for their care of the lands, waters, and wildlife we enjoy today. We also recognize their continuing commitment and connection to the land, and we honor the enduring wisdom they contribute to stewardship today.
WHAT WE'RE DOING
In 2022, VOC’s Board approved a new Strategic Plan to implement through 2025 with a focus on expanding opportunities for outdoor stewardship and engaging a broader community.
This work includes:
- Growing our Healthy Communities Program, which helps volunteers directly contribute to increasing public access to outdoor spaces and promoting community well-being.
- This year, through this program, we:
- Planted 22,282 sq. ft. of garden beds in Denver's public parks, maintained gardens, and donated 628 pounds of produce to local food banks.
- Removed 174 acres of invasive weeds to restore ecosystems in areas with limited green space.
- Maintained or improved 23 miles of trail to increase public access to Colorado’s outdoors.
- Hosting projects in collaboration with communities across Colorado to help people build connections to nature and each other while reinforcing that everyone has a role in caring for our shared landscapes.
- VOC has hosted seven women-led projects, ranging from fence removal in the San Luis Valley to erosion control structures at Southern Plains Land Trust and trail construction along the Front Range.
- In 2025, VOC will host its fourth annual community volunteer project celebrating LGBTQ+ contributions to Colorado’s outdoor stewardship efforts.
- Expanding volunteer leadership opportunities by offering scholarship programs such as the Steve Austin Scholarships and discounts for Cairn students, mentors, and certified leaders.
- Integrating outdoor leadership and stewardship training for groups such as Mile High Youth Corps, Environmental Learning for Kids, Lincoln Hills Cares, Cal-Wood Education Center, Mt. Blue Sky Outdoor Lab, and others.
We remain committed to ongoing organizational learning to better understand the experiences of those we serve, continually assess our programs, staffing, and Board structure, and identify opportunities to enhance accessibility and engagement in outdoor stewardship.
WHAT WE'VE DONE
Since 2015, we have worked to expand volunteer opportunities across a wider range of ages, backgrounds, and abilities. To achieve this, we have focused on three key approaches:
- Building strong partnerships and collaborating with community groups to increase engagement in outdoor stewardship. This includes participation in initiatives such as the My Outdoor Colorado coalition, which connects local communities with meaningful outdoor experiences.
- Reducing barriers to participation by expanding outreach, offering a variety of project types, providing access to a gear library, and ensuring volunteer opportunities match a range of skills and abilities.
- Expanding project offerings to create welcoming spaces for all, including volunteer projects focused on family-friendly activities, beginner-friendly skill-building, and specialized opportunities such as ASL-supported projects and Indigenous Perspectives Training.
THE VOC CREED
"At Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, we believe that everyone has a place in the outdoors and in caring for them. No matter your background, we share the land as our home, and it is up to us to maintain it for the benefit of all living things. No matter how you connect with the outdoors, we believe we can find common ground in nature, and can be united in our efforts to leave it better than we found it. We welcome everyone to be a part of our stewardship community, and to find your place with VOC."
Questions? Contact voc@voc.org
