Youth are often told they are the stewards of tomorrow, but WRV believes there’s no point in waiting until then. Our youth and family programs are focused on giving young people the access, motivation, and skills they need to be environmental leaders today. Youth experiences in nature alongside a trusted adult are the number one predictor of a future environmental ethic.
Volunteer opportunities are posted on our calendar, where you can browse upcoming projects, view details, and sign up based on your interests, location, and availability.
Family-friendly projects offer a safe, fun environment for families and children to explore nature and make a difference together. Family-friendly projects have minimum ages of 10 or less. Children are welcome to attend along with a parent or guardian and actively participate in restoration efforts.
We also offer Family-focused events intended to engage children of all ages by offering a safe, relaxed environment. These projects begin with “Families” in the title and always involve kid-friendly stewardship work geared towards younger audiences, like pulling invasive weeds or planting native species. They also offer extra supervision and support and often involve hands-on learning activities like making seed balls, catching butterflies, or wading in the creek with experienced environmental educators. We also believe it’s important that youth see how caring for and enjoying nature go hand-in-hand, so some projects include a stewardship activity and a recreation activity such as archery or snowshoeing.
More complex and difficult WRV projects are limited to older children and adults; however, we are always willing to work with parents whenever possible. Please call to discuss how we can involve your family.
WRV’s Youth & Family Groups provide hands-on environmental education and service learning that engages young people and their families in caring for Colorado’s public lands. These programs begin with building awareness and knowledge close to home and progress to field-based restoration work where participants gain teamwork, leadership, and natural resource skills while contributing to meaningful ecological projects.
Programming is designed to be accessible and inclusive, with activities and monthly learning opportunities that support culturally relevant topics in restoration, outdoor skills, and stewardship. WRV also partners on youth corps and leadership development initiatives that further enhance learning and real-world conservation experience.
If you’re interested in scheduling a youth project with WRV, please fill out our interest form or email Anna DeGolier at anna@wrv.org.
WRV’s Youth Leadership program supports teens and young adults in building leadership skills through hands-on restoration projects, outdoor learning, and community engagement. Participants gain real conservation experience while developing confidence, teamwork, and stewardship values that extend beyond individual projects.
The program also connects youth to broader leadership opportunities, including the annual Youth Exploring Stewardship Conference on October 11–12, 2025 at Cal-Wood (visit the YES Coalition website), as well as leadership trainings open to both youth and adults (see our trainings page). Ready to get outside and make an impact? Email Kevin Pierce, Youth Program Manager at kevinp@wrv.org, to learn more about getting involved.
The WRV Youth Leadership Development (WYLD) Program is designed for teens and young adults who want to deepen their leadership skills through hands-on conservation work, outdoor education, and peer collaboration. WYLD participants engage in restoration projects, skill-building activities, and facilitated learning experiences that build confidence, teamwork, and a strong connection to stewardship and community.
The program supports youth in growing as leaders both in the field and beyond, offering opportunities to learn from mentors, take on project leadership roles, and connect with WRV’s broader youth and family initiatives. To learn more about the WYLD Program or find out how to get involved, email Kevin Pierce, Youth Program Manager at kevinp@wrv.org, for additional details and upcoming opportunities.
The Lafayette Youth Corps is a local leadership opportunity providing up to 10 high school-aged youth who live in the City of Lafayette with a paid environmental job opportunity that also supports their social and emotional wellness needs and allows them to explore careers in natural resources. In a collaborative partnership with WRV, Cottonwood Institute, Thorne Nature Experience, and Lafayette Open Space, interns meet weekly from September through April to work on a variety of restoration tasks across the city. Activities include constructing new trails, planting native shrubs and trees, removing invasive plant species, engaging in enrichment activities to learn more about the outdoors, and much more.
Did you know? Youth today spend less than 30 minutes a day outside but over seven hours in front of a screen. WRV provides safe, meaningful, and fun opportunities for youth to engage with nature.
