How many volunteer hours does it take to support 70,000 acres of open space?
On Saturday, October 12, 215 volunteers, guests, and Midpen staff attended the annual Volunteer Recognition Event to celebrate the passion and dedication of a cadre of committed volunteers. In total, their efforts over the last year contributed 17,712 hours across ten different volunteer programs. This is the equivalent of eight-and-a-half fulltime staff positions.
“Volunteering works best when you get more out of it than you put in, and that is how I feel with the District,” said Chris MacIntosh, the longest-term volunteer who was honored for her singular achievement of 45 years—and counting— as a Docent Naturalist and Trail Patrol Volunteer.
The Volunteer Recognition Event is eagerly anticipated by both volunteers and staff. This year’s celebration was held under the redwoods and bay trees of Cathedral Grove at Saratoga Springs event facility, an intimate space illuminated by string lights and sunlight falling through the canopy.
In the morning hours leading up to lunch, attendees had the opportunity to visit “Table Talks” where Midpen staff were available to answer questions about their projects, mingle via playing a “Human Scavenger Hunt”, and get wow-ed by magic tricks from a roving magician. It was also the time to contemplate choices among an array of raffle baskets compiled by each department, which included donated prizes such as a Ranger Ride-Along, gift certificates for local kayaking adventures, and waterproof binoculars. For a more introspective activity, volunteers could walk the short, creekside trail to read and contemplate “Reflection Cards” that greeted their footsteps along the path.
As if the natural setting and fun-filled morning weren’t enough, during lunch the numbers associated with Midpen’s volunteer programs continued to impress and emphasize how much Midpen volunteers contribute to the District’s mission. Some highlights included:
Stewardship volunteers contributed nearly 3,000 hours. Advanced Resource Management Stewards (ARMS) targeted 16 different invasive plant species, and Land Steward Volunteers attended over 100 group projects.
Volunteer Trail Patrol submitted 2,022 Trail Patrol Reports, informing staff about 198 trail violations and 498 trail maintenance conditions to help make the preserves more safe, enjoyable, and accessible.
The Wildlife Insights Team (Midpen’s only digital volunteer opportunity) devoted 834 hours to tagging thousands of images from wildlife cameras, while Office Volunteers spent 100 hours reorganizing boxes of Real Property files. These tasks may be considered less exciting than slaying weeds or cultivating wonder among children, yet they are vital to the success of Midpen’s work.
Nature Center Docents connected with about 450 visitors under the age of 18 and over 1,000 adult visitors, while Outdoor Education Docents provided about 20 field trips for 350 students throughout the school year. Additionally, Docent Naturalists contributed more than 3,000 volunteer hours leading participants on free guided interpretive walks, bike rides, and trail runs throughout the preserves.
The programs are poised to remain robust in 2025, having welcomed over 90 new volunteers this year. Give these fresh faces a couple of decades with the District, and they may be echoing the words of Karen DeMello, a volunteer who earned her 20-year pin: “Where does 20 years go?”