Anza-Borrego Foundation relies on the dedicated support of volunteers to ensure the smooth functioning of our operations. Much of what is accomplished at ABF and in the Park is credited to our committed volunteers. To start your adventure as an ABF volunteer, please fill out the interest form! You can get involved in various areas of interest without a minimum time commitment (commitments range from single events to longer commitments based on your availability).
Plus receive these volunteer perks:
Be an ambassador for the Park and ABF by proactively welcoming visitors entering our retail store, processing sales on the register, providing park information, answering questions, and offering other store support.
Lead education programs (like hikes, guided drives, or with specific expertise) or support education program leaders. Assist with special events and fundraisers. Provide support at events, such as help set-up, clean-up, check-in, etc. Provide an extra set of hands and support staff at our out-of-town outreach events.
Assist with office tasks like mailings, filing, and data entry. Support land conservation staff.
Contribute articles or photos for our newsletter, blog or Facebook page. Contribute photos and videos of the Park to use in our efforts to share the wonders of Anza-Borrego with others.
Welcome and direct visitors to where they can find wildflowers.
If you are interested in volunteering for Anza-Borrego Foundation, please fill out the form below and we will contact you if we have any opportunities available. Thank you!
Volunteers are essential to Anza-Borrego Foundation’s mission, they expand our reach, deepen our impact, and strengthen our connection to the community and the Park. Here’s how YOU could contribute:
By engaging visitors and learners, volunteers spark curiosity and stewardship that endures beyond a single experience.
Volunteer effort accelerates our ability to conserve landscapes that sustain biodiversity and cultural heritage.
Volunteers help educate about the Park and increase understanding, turning knowledge into action for students, families, and lifelong learners.
Through photography, writing, and digital contributions, volunteers elevate the narratives that connect people to the Park and build broader public support.
Volunteering doesn’t just feel good, it’s backed by science as a powerful way to improve mental, physical, and even cognitive health. Here are three science-based benefits of volunteering:
Reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety. Volunteering is associated with lower levels of depression, especially in adults over 65. [Source: BMC Public Health, 2020] Helping others increases dopamine and oxytocin, sometimes called “helper’s high.” [Source: Journal of Happiness Studies, 2013]
Volunteers report lower cortisol levels and improved heart rate variability—both indicators of reduced stress. [Source: Psychosomatic Medicine, 2013] Volunteering 100 hours/year is linked to lower hypertension risk in older adults. [Source: Carnegie Mellon University study, 2013]
Regular volunteers live longer. A review of 40 studies found that volunteering is associated with a 20–22% reduction in mortality risk. Why? Better social integration, sense of purpose, and physical activity. [Source: Psychological Bulletin, 2013]
