Learn more: ranger's corner: volunteer units

Opportunities to volunteer at Chino Hills State Park are available under the following programs.

VOLUNTEER IN PARKS PROGRAM (VIPP) – This program is for persons interested in participating in a formal volunteer program at the Park on a regular basis. Volunteers serve in one or more of the following units within the VIPP program:

MAU – Mounted Assistance Unit
These volunteers patrol the Park trails on horseback and assist and provide information to visitors on the trails, and assist at special events and interpretive programs.

BAU – Bicycle Assistance Unit
These volunteers patrol the Park trails on mountain bikes, assist and provide information to visitors on the trails, and assist at special events and interpretive programs.

NHU – Natural History Unit (Docents and General Volunteers)
This unit is the most diverse unit in the VIPP program. NHU program is for volunteers interested in acting as docents, guides, hike leaders, naturalists, native plant nursery caretakers, photographers, or any other special skill a volunteer may wish to offer.

TMU – Trail Maintenance Unit (Coming Soon!)
Recruiting and training for this new unit is anticipated to take place starting in Fall 2006 with initial projects starting in Spring 2007. This unit will focus on maintaining, repairing, and improving the single-track trail system at the Park.

OHM – Olinda Historic Museum and Park Docents
These volunteers assists as docents, guides, exhibit developers, museum curators and collections specialists at the Olinda Historic Museum and Park in the Olinda Ranch area of Brea. This program is an operations partnership between State Parks and the City of Brea which owns and maintains the Park.

A VIPP program meeting is usually held once a month the first Sunday from 4-6pm at the Rolling M Ranch in the State Park. Training is available for new volunteers and no experience is needed. For further information and applications for VIPP programs, please contact Volunteer Programs Coordinator Ranger Stephen at 714-572-0182.

GROUP SERVICE PROJECTS
Please contact us if your group is interested in performing a group service project at the Park. We will try to match a project to your group’s interest. Projects can be for a single day or multiple days. Call 714-572-0182.

Adopt-A-Trail Program
Coming Soon! This is an opportunity for groups to “adopt” portions of single-track trails to maintain. This program may work closely with the Trail Maintenance Unit.

Adopt-A-Patch
Coming Soon! This is an opportunity for groups to “adopt” a patch of the Park for restoration with native plants or to help operate the native plant nursery. This program works under the guidance of the Park Environmental Scientist and the Resource Management team.

Eagle Scout Projects
CHSP is an ideal setting to complete your Eagle Scout project! We always have several project opportunities to choose from and can accommodate scouts and troops of all skill levels and scouts with special needs. Our projects vary in difficulty from simple to complex. Most of the projects involve woodworking of some sort.  Please email Eagle Scout Coordinator Ranger Grant or call 714-572-0182 for further information. Ranger Grant is available to meet with scouts most weekend mornings at the Rolling M Ranch to discuss project opportunities and to give tours of project sites.

Short–Term or Special Event Volunteers
Some of our special events, such as Earth Day, Living History Day, Wilderness Day and Trail Maintenance workdays need volunteers for short-term work. Occasionally we even need volunteers with special skills for our interpretive programs such as Campfire evening programs and Junior Ranger programs. Unfortunately, it is difficult for us to accommodate an individual who wants to volunteer for something outside the realm of an organized event or scheduled program, but we will try to find something to match your interest and really appreciate your willingness to volunteer! Contact Volunteer Programs Coordinator Ranger Stephen at 714-572-0182.

Chino Hills SP Interpretive Association Volunteers
We need your help too! Our volunteers assist at special events by promoting the Interpretive Association, distribute interpretive materials and sell interpretive products to help raise funds for the Park. Our volunteers will eventually staff the pending Visitor’s Center also! Interpretive Association volunteers are also encouraged to participate in the VIPP program. Contact CHSPIA President Tom Greene at for further information.