Organization:  Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado

Since its inception in 1984, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) has brought the message of environmental stewardship to thousands of Coloradans.  We work with young and old, in urban centers and in remote wilderness.  Our projects include urban reforestation, building trails for all users including the physically challenged, and preserving fragile alpine ecosystems on Colorado’s 14,000-foot peaks.

VOC’s mission is to instill in our citizenry a sense of personal responsibility for Colorado’s outstanding natural and cultural resources. We believe that an educated and active citizenry makes responsible choices regarding the care-taking of the natural world. As clear testimony to this belief, VOC and 40,000 volunteers have provided more than $8 million of improvements to Colorado’s public lands and natural resources.

VOC has developed four interrelated programs to accomplish our mission: VOC projects, the Youth Conservators Initiative (YCI), Extending Your Reach, and the VOC Clearinghouse.  VOC markets the stewardship opportunities provided by these four programs through the VOC Guide, a 50-plus page publication distributed annually to 50,000 Coloradoans.

VOC projects - Every year, VOC partners with public land managers, non-profit organizations, and local municipalities to complete 10-15 stewardship projects around the state, engaging nearly 3,000 volunteers each season. Conservation projects serve a dual purpose – vitally important work is completed and volunteers gain an understanding and respect for the effort needed to protect and maintain our resources through their active involvement.

Youth Conservators Initiative (YCI) - The primary goal of the YCI is to engage young citizens in all the programs offered by VOC. It is especially important to provide children with the chance for experiential learning, outdoor fun, and the opportunity to play a part in preserving their natural legacy.  Educating children about their role in creating and protecting their world is an investment in their physical and emotional well being.

Extending Your Reach - Extending Your Reach is an outreach and capacity building program designed to teach the VOC model to interested agencies, individual volunteers, VOC affiliates, and other conservation groups.  Seminar tracks include volunteer project management and technical trail building skills. By teaching other groups these skills to take back to their own projects, VOC exponentially increases the number and the quality of conservation projects completed statewide.

VOC Network - The VOC Network connects individuals and groups with natural resources volunteer opportunities across the state. The 2002 Network offers 500 volunteer opportunities with 200 agencies, including local, state, and federal land managers, nonprofit organizations, and other user groups.

It is a pleasure to live in such a beautiful place, and a privilege to participate in preserving and maintaining the splendor of our public lands.  Each year, thousands of people, from all walks of life, share their time, energy, and ideas to carry on the mission of VOC. By participating with VOC, you make a critical and direct investment in the natural beauty of the communities where you live and work.  Indeed it is the natural beauty of this state that contributes to the quality of life cherished by all that live here.  

We hope you will join us in our efforts. If you have any questions or would like additional information, please visit our web site at www.voc.org or call us at 303.715.1010.

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