Upcoming Events

Please note registration is required as slots are limited. No prior experience necessary. Gloves, tools, and training are provided. Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. All volunteers must complete a waiver prior to participation (with a parent or guardian's signature for volunteers under 18). Completed waivers may be emailed to sophia.chapin@fairfaxva.gov or brought with you to the event. Copies will also be available at the event.

• Forest Rescues Volunteer Waiver fillable
• Forest Rescues Under 18 Volunteer Waiver fillable
• Forest Rescues Group Volunteer Waiver fillable

Saturday, July 12 @ Westmore Park

Help beautify Westmore Park! Join the Stewardship Coordinator and Forest Rescuer Rusty Russell for a workday to remove invasive plants and pick up litter from Westmore Park. Work will take place from 10 a.m. to noon.

Forest Rescuer Trainings

Certified Forest Rescuers are trained environmental stewards and advocates that are permitted to work independently in city parks removing non-native, invasive plants. Forest Rescuers work closely with city staff to restore native habitat at their assigned site(s).

How do I get certified?

• Volunteer at 2 workdays
  • Complete at least two volunteer workdays removing invasive plants (minimum 4 hours combined total) with the city or a similar program, such as Fairfax County Invasive Management Area, Arlington County RiP, Earth Sangha, Friends of Accotink Creek, The Clifton Institute, Reston Association's Habitat Heroes, Northern Virginia Bird Alliance, Northern Virginia Conservation Trust, etc.
  • To check if volunteer experience with another organization qualifies for credit, please email the Stewardship Coordinator (sophia.chapin@fairfaxva.gov).
• Attend a training
  • Upcoming dates for 2025 are to be determined. Please email the Stewardship Coordinator (sophia.chapin@fairfaxva.gov) about getting this requirement met in the meantime.
  • Trainings are free and open to any individual interested in learning more about the importance of nature and biodiversity in Fairfax City.
• Fill out the application
  • Application link: Forest Rescuer Application
  • The application will include contact information, site preference, and confirmation that you have completed the above requirements.
  • All volunteers must complete a liability waiver to participate in the program (see links at the top of this page).
    • Volunteers under 18 will require a parent or guardian's signature to participate.
    • Volunteers 15 years old or younger require supervision from a parent or guardian to participate. Please contact the Stewardship Coordinator (sophia.chapin@fairfaxva.gov) if this applies to you.

Get Credit for Volunteering

By participating in a city-sponsored tree planting, invasive plant removal in an RPA, or cleanup event, you are eligible for stormwater utility (SWU) credit through the city's Trees, Litter, and Creeks (TLC) Community Stewardship Program. Credit may also be earned by hosting your own event or attending a nonprofit partner event. Visit the Stormwater Utility Credit Program webpage for more information on what counts and how to apply.

For students with service hour requirements, please bring your form to the event.

Interested in starting your own effort to remove invasives or plant/maintain trees? Have a school, club, church, HOA, or corporate group looking for volunteer opportunities? Contact Sophia Chapin, Stewardship Coordinator, at sophia.chapin@fairfaxva.gov, (703) 223-5054.

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