Become a Park Steward
Are you interested in helping care for Bellingham’s parks, trails, open spaces, restoration areas, and community gardens? Join us as an ongoing Park Steward volunteer and support the long-term health of our public green spaces.
Park Stewards are our most dedicated volunteers. They provide ongoing care for our parks and natural areas and help support the accessibility, beauty, and ecological health of Bellingham’s parks.
One of the best ways to get a feel for our stewardship work is by joining a Community Work Party. We strongly encourage prospective Park Stewards to attend a Work Party in June or, if that timing doesn’t work, to join us when our Work Party season resumes in September.
If you have questions after reading through this page, please email or call the Parks Volunteer Program at pkvolunteers@cob.org or (360) 778-7105
You can also visit our Park Stewards Frequently Asked Questions webpage for answers to any initial questions you might have.
Applications Open: June 1 – July 31, 2026
Applications for the 2026-2027 Park Steward cohort are now being accepted.
New Park Stewards will receive training and orientation in Fall 2026, along with year‑round guidance and support.
Attend a Community Work Party!
Our Community Work Party season runs from September through June, and these events are open to all ages and abilities. If you’re considering applying to become a Park Steward, attending a Work Party is a great way to learn about what our stewardship work looks like.
Our Work Parties provide an opportunity to:
- Learn about Bellingham’s Parks Volunteer Program
- Meet Parks staff and fellow volunteers
- Gain hands-on experience caring for our parks and natural areas
- Explore whether long-term stewardship is a good fit for you
Many of our most successful stewards started volunteering with us by participating in a Community Work Party.
What Is a Park Steward?
A Park Steward is a volunteer who makes an ongoing commitment to caring for a specific public green space in Bellingham’s parks.
Unlike one-time volunteer opportunities such as our Community Work Parties, Park Stewards volunteer on their own and build a long‑term relationship with their adopted site while ensuring it receives regular care throughout the year.
Park Stewards play an important role in maintaining and improving the ecological health of our public spaces for our whole community.
Why Become a Park Steward?
As a Park Steward, you will:
- Help care for the places you value
- Improve the health and accessibility of our restoration sites, trails, and community gardens
- Learn stewardship and ecological restoration skills
- Acquire knowledge of local ecosystems
- Receive support and guidance from Parks staff
- Connect with many other dedicated volunteers
Your efforts will help to care for, restore, and protect our public parks for all to enjoy.
Examples of Stewardship Opportunities
Ecological Restoration Stewardship
- Removing invasive plants
- Planting native trees and shrubs
- Spreading mulch (arborist’s wood chips) around new plants
- Supporting ongoing habitat restoration efforts
- Examples of high-priority ecological restoration sites include: Squalicum Creek Park or Connelly Creek Nature Area
Trail Stewardship
- Litter pickup
- Removing small branches and debris from trails
- Reporting hazards or trail maintenance needs
- Reporting encroachments and dumping activity
- Examples of high-priority trailside sites include: Bay to Baker Trail or Interurban Trail
Community Garden Stewardship
- Weeding and watering solidarity/ victory garden plots
- Planting seeds and starts for solidarity/ victory garden food donation
- Tending to a pollinator garden
- Removing invasive plants, planting native plants, and mulching
- Steward opportunities are available at the following Community Gardens: King Mountain Community Garden, Lakeway Community Garden, and Fairhaven Community Garden
Volunteers perform stewardship duties that fit their interests and the needs of their adopted site.
The Park Steward Program currently focuses on ecological restoration, trailside cleanup, and community garden stewardship. We do not accept applications for dog waste station or ornamental landscape bed maintenance.
Volunteer Commitment
Most of our Park Stewards volunteer approximately 2-8 hours per month.
Stewards are expected to:
- Commit to at least 6 months of volunteer stewardship
- Maintain regular communication with Parks staff
- Submit volunteer hours as outlined in your agreement
- Participate in required orientation and training opportunities
- Consent to a no-cost background check
Once oriented, Park Stewards can volunteer at a pace that aligns with their availability.
Tools and Materials
Individuals should plan to provide their own tools. Parks staff can provide trash bags and pickup of garbage or weeds. At select locations, weeds may be composted on-site. If your adopted site involves planting, Parks staff can provide appropriate trees and shrubs. Mulch can also be delivered to sites.
Is Becoming a Park Steward Right for You?
Becoming a volunteer Park Steward may be a good fit for you if you:
- Want to volunteer regularly, on your own, throughout the year
- Enjoy spending time outdoors
- Are comfortable working independently
- Care about maintaining public green spaces
- Want to make a lasting impact on your community
- Can commit to regularly communicating with Parks staff about your volunteer activities by recording and submitting your volunteer hours
No previous experience is required. Training and support are provided.
If you are looking for a one-time or occasional volunteer opportunity, our Community Work Parties may be a better fit for you.
How to become a Park Steward for Bellingham Parks
1. Attend a Community Work Party
Learn about our stewardship opportunities and gain hands-on experience by working with our knowledgeable staff at our work parties.
2. Apply During the Application Period
Park Steward Applications are accepted annually from June 1 through July 31.
3. Undergo a No-cost Background Check
After submitting your Park Steward Application, you will receive an email from our third-party background check vendor.
4. Participate in Orientation
After your background check clears, you will be invited to attend a Park Steward Orientation. At your site, we will review program expectations, safety protocol, reporting procedures, and other resources and training.
5. Begin Stewardship
After identifying the stewardship tasks that align best with your interests, skills, and program needs, you will be free to volunteer at whatever schedule works best for you.
6. Required Follow-up
Every month, we ask that you submit your volunteer work hours to us using our simple online Parks Volunteer Hours Reporting form. In January of each new year, we will reach out remind you to renew your annual Park Steward Agreement.
7. Continue Growing as a Park Steward
Receive ongoing support, training opportunities, and communication from us throughout the year via our quarterly newsletter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need previous volunteer experience?
Nope! Training, resources, and staff support are all provided.
Do I need to attend a Community Work Party before applying?
While not strictly required, it is strongly encouraged that folks join us at one of our Community Work Parties prior to applying to become a Park Steward. Our work parties provide a valuable introduction to our stewardship activities and overall program expectations.
How much time is required to volunteer as a Park Steward?
Most of our Park Stewards volunteer somewhere between 2-8 hours per month, depending on their availability and the needs of their adopted stewardship site.
Do I need my own tools?
Generally, yes. Park Stewards are expected to provide and maintain their own basic tools (e.g., gloves, hand clippers, shovel, etc.). Park Stewards who choose to volunteer at a Community Garden will typically have access to shared tools available on-site.
How do I track my volunteer hours?
Once a month, please log your hours using our online Parks Volunteer Hours Reporting form.
What happens after I apply?
Applications are reviewed after the application period closes. Applicants will receive an email with instructions from our third-party background check vendor. After we receive confirmation that your background check is clear, applicants will be contacted by Parks staff regarding next steps and orientation scheduling.
Map of Current Park Stewards
Volunteers are all over Bellingham!
Bellingham Parks Volunteers Map
Questions? Want to learn more?
- Please see our Park Stewards: Frequently Asked Questions page
- Check out our Backyard Habitat and Manage Weeds Naturally pages – there are a ton of great resources!
- Learn more about invasive plant species using the Whatcom County Noxious Weed List
- Learn more about native plants using King County’s Northwest Native Plant Guide
Resources
Park Steward Policies
Park Steward Application
Parks Volunteer Hours Reporting
Work Parties
Greenways Program
Community Gardens
Trails Guide
Parks Guide
What You Can Do for Clean Water
Bee City USA
Contacts
Parks Volunteer Program
Phone: (360) 778-7105
Email: pkvolunteers@cob.org
Parks and Recreation Contacts
