be a force of nature

Natural Lands’ Force of Nature® volunteers support land conservation, connect people to the outdoors, and foster meaningful relationships with one another. Program participants receive extensive training and leadership opportunities and commit to serving at least 20 hours per year.

A man and a woman in blue Force of Nature volunteer shirts smile at the camera on a sunny day with lots of event activity in a field in the background

If you are a Force of Nature graduate, login to Rosterfy.

Two men in bright blue shirts smile at the camera holding garden tools.

what you’ll do

Force of Nature training is offered annually each spring, covering topics such as land management, habitat restoration, native plant gardening, event support, outreach, and ambassadorship. Graduates choose from a variety of service opportunities that align with their interests and passions. These include:

Leading other volunteers to help take care of our preserves.
Independent projects like trail maintenance and nest box monitoring.
Introducing new audiences from across the region to Natural Lands.
Providing essential, behind-the-scenes support for our fun and engaging events.

what you’ll get

Hands-on training from Natural Lands’ expert staff
Access to exclusive Explore More! continuing education opportunities
Opportunities to meet and befriend enthusiastic people who share similar interests
Natural Lands membership
Force of Nature gear including a volunteer shirt, ballcap, and nametag; additional perks for achieving milestone hours
Recognition at Natural Lands volunteer celebrations
Ongoing support, encouragement, and education from Natural Lands staff and peers

two men and three women smiling and holding garden tools in a forest with autumn leaves

ready to apply?

Applications for Force of Nature are now closed. Application information for the Class of 2026 will be announced in fall 2025.

Here is some more information:

The Force of Nature program is competitive, and priority is given to applicants who have previously volunteered with Natural Lands.

Force of Nature training runs annually from mid-February through early-April. Eight sessions are scheduled on Saturday mornings and Thursday evenings, held in-person at various preserve locations or virtually via Zoom. Volunteers must complete a minimum number of sessions to graduate from the program.

Participants must be 18 or older.

Participation in the Force of Nature program requires volunteers to have access to reliable transportation, be able to lift and carry 20 pounds, to walk and stand on uneven terrain, and to pass a background check successfully.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion in all our work, and we strongly encourage BIPOC candidates and LGBTQIA+ candidates to apply.

Participants will be asked to complete background checks, including: PA Criminal Records Check, PA Child Abuse History Certification, and FBI Fingerprint Based Criminal History, if required. Natural Lands will facilitate these background checks during training.

The program fee (including new membership) is $200, payable to Natural Lands by the first day of training. For current Natural Lands members, the program fee is $150. A limited number of scholarships are available.