Get Involved: Denver (Area 5) - Waterton Canyon Ambassador

Waterton Canyon Ambassador

Description:

Training is required to participate in this volunteer role. The next training will be held over two nights on April 28th and April 30th from 6 to 8pm. The training signup will be shared with program applicants.

Volunteers educate Waterton Canyon visitors on wildlife interactions and CPW/Denver Water rules as well as collect information about wildlife sightings.

Every year, more and more people discover the beauty of Waterton Canyon, in 2024, roughly 100,000 people recreated at this site. At the same time, the canyon is also home to a robust population of bighorn sheep and other kinds of wildlife who frequently cross the trail to reach the river. Waterton Canyon Ambassadors are a critical volunteer role who provide education at both stationary pop-up education tables, and while roving the canyon by hiking or biking to connect with visitors. Education efforts are geared towards safe and ethical wildlife viewing, big horn sheep biology and behavior, and Leave No trace Principles. In this role you will be supported by local District Wildlife Managers, the CPW Northeast Region Volunteer and Education Coordinators, and Denver Water staff.

Time Commitment:

The Waterton Canyon Interpretation Project is on-going but priority is summer weekends. Volunteers are expected to sign up on the calendar for at least one shift per month.  If we have enough volunteers or interest, volunteers can also set-up during weekdays.

Volunteer Benefits:

Walk or bike the canyon as you chat with visitors about wildlife they will see and how to co-exist.

Accessibility:

This position involves roving the dirt path along Waterton Canyon. Roving can be accomplished by either hiking or riding a standard bicycle. The trail is a broad dirt path that slowly gains elevation over the 6.2 mile trail length. Volunteers can rove as far up the canyon as they would like, they are not required to rove the entire length.

Interests:

Education - Teach Children, Wildlife - Wildlife Viewing, Education - Teach Adults, Customer Service - Customer Service/Visitor Information, Education - Festivals/Information Booths, Education - Naturalist/Interpretive Programs, Outdoors and Community Science - Bicycling, Education - Ambassador, Education - Leave No Trace, Education - Responsible Human-Wildlife Interaction, Education - Education and Outreach, Wildlife - Wildlife, Outdoors and Community Science - Hiking