Welcome!
Volunteers play an essential role in keeping DCR parks clean, maintained, and accessible for everyone to enjoy. DCR volunteers come from all backgrounds and walks of life, and no matter your motivation, we are grateful for your service and appreciate your time. People often seek out these opportunities as individuals, or as members of non-profit, community, corporate, educational, recreational, or civic organizations. By sharing your time, talents, and effort you enrich the experience of visitors, help preserve sensitive natural and cultural resources, keep active, and engage in rewarding stewardship that reflects your personal values and the values of our communities and our Commonwealth.
Get Started
| How to Get Started Volunteering with DCR |
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Learn how to volunteer in a Massachusetts State Park |
Volunteering with the Universal Access Program Learn how you can volunteer and get involved with the DCR's Universal Access Program |
Get involved with Park Serve Day, DCR's annual day of stewardship! |
From late August into November, thousands of people in Massachusetts volunteer for COASTSWEEP—the statewide beach cleanup sponsored by the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM). |
What Volunteers Do
Volunteers assist in a variety of ways at DCR properties. Below are some of the most common:
- General clean-ups of an area, including litter and refuse removal.
- Assisting DCR staff with educational programs or events.
- Removing invasive plant species.
- Researching historical or scientific information regarding park resources or property.
- Maintaining a park’s recycling center; sorting recyclable materials from non-recyclable materials.
- Planting flowers, trees or shrubs to enhance landscaping, create habitat or otherwise enhance a DCR property or facility.
- Performing minor trimming or weeding with hand tools.
- Performing trail maintenance activities with hand tools such as removing fallen limbs, trimming brush, and maintaining drainage structures, creating steps, re-blazing existing trails, and maintaining existing bog bridges.
- Organizing activities or events intended to promote public awareness and appreciation for park resources.
Download the Volunteers in Parks Program Guide
The development of the Volunteers in Parks Program Guide provided DCR with an opportunity to achieve the goal of standardizing and simplifying the process for proposing, reviewing, and conducting all volunteer activities – whether under the supervision of the Department or a Nonprofit Organization – on DCR property statewide. Please review the guide when considering volunteering with DCR.
Remember to Be Kind!
