Trails & Stewardship Programs

What is Stewardship?

Environmental stewardship is the responsible use and protection of the natural environment through conservation and sustainable practices to enhance ecosystem resilience and human well-being (Chapin et al, 2011).

Elements of Midpen Volunteer Stewardship

Restoration and Protection

Actions that assist in the recovery or preservation of an ecosystem that have been degraded, damaged or devastated and allow that ecosystem to evolve with minimal human influence. The following examples are actions that Midpen volunteers assist with that lead to improved biodiversity or ecosystem health.

      • Planting or restoring protective vegetation
      • Restoring a local habitat
      • Removing non-native or invasive plants
Community Science

Actions that collect, report, and analyze data which inform management decisions for a natural resource or area. The following past projects are examples where volunteers contributed toward environmental monitoring efforts.

Community Awareness

Actions that educate and inform the public to impart relevance to the community at large and persuade action at the individual level. The following examples are actions that volunteers undertake to increase community awareness of local land stewardship concerns and efforts.

      • Engaging with community members in the preserves
      • Distributing flyers in the community and at events, fairs, festivals
      • Providing content to share on social media

(Definitions adapted from NOAA.)

Our Approach

We believe in a holistic approach to volunteerism in environmental stewardship and view our programs as a mechanism to build resilient and cohesive communities by fostering synergy between people and nature.

Our goal is to provide high-quality, culturally inclusive, hands-on environmental education through volunteer stewardship to advance Midpen’s mission to protect and restore the natural environment.

Our Volunteer Stewardship Programs are strategic and follow Midpen’s Resource Management Policies and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program. Our award-winning IPM program is based on ecologically sensitive management practices, utilizing a wide range of methods such as early detection/rapid response (EDRR), selective and phenology-based management to improve the ecological health of the open space lands we manage. 

Programs Overview

We have a variety of programs for you to get involved in. Click on the program name to learn more!

Field programs
Other programs