Volunteer

Volunteers are essential for the health and upkeep of our state-managed lands and help build and maintain trails, restore habitats and cleanup recreation sites. Did you know that you can earn an annual Discover Pass if you volunteer for 24 hours on agency-approved projects?

How to earn a Discover Pass by volunteering

Volunteers who work on certain projects on lands managed by Parks, DNR or WDFW may earn vouchers for every hour they work. Once a volunteer accrues vouchers for 24 hours or more, they may apply for a complimentary Discover Pass.

First, register to become an approved volunteer with one or more of the agencies. Then volunteer for Discover Pass-eligible projects with one or more of the agencies. You will receive a signed voucher listing the hours you volunteered.

Keep track of your vouchers which reflect your time spent on eligible projects. Once you’ve reached 24 or more hours, mail your vouchers to the address on the bottom of the voucher or turn them in to agency staff or as otherwise instructed. You’ll then receive a complimentary Discover Pass by mail or in person if handing in to agency staff.

More information and rules

You will not need a Discover Pass when you volunteer. Pick up a temporary pass for the day at the project location.

You may earn one complimentary Discover Pass in a 12-month period. If you have extra vouchers, hold on to them and redeem them next year.

You may accrue volunteer vouchers from one, two or all three of the agencies.

Married spouses can also combine their volunteer hours to reach the 24-hour minimum.

If you volunteer in a capacity that already earns something in exchange for services, such as participating in the Parks camp host program, the DNR camp host program or the WDFW Master Hunter’s Program, you are not eligible to earn a complimentary Discover Pass.

If you volunteer in any of the following capacities, you are not eligible to earn a complimentary Discover Pass: earning school credit, graduation requirements or court-ordered community service.

Find Discover Pass-eligible volunteer projects

Each agency has Discover Pass eligible volunteer projects.

Volunteer at Washington State Parks

To volunteer with state parks, contact the park office where you are interested in volunteering, or find current opportunities online.

Volunteer with the Department of Natural Resources

To volunteer with DNR, check out the volunteer calendar for upcoming events or the volunteer page for eligible projects. All Discover Pass eligible projects will be listed. 

Volunteer with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

To volunteer with WDFW, visit the volunteer opportunities page online. Eligible projects are identified in project descriptions.