Volunteers are essential in keeping state recreation lands open. Dedicated volunteers help build and maintain trails, restore habitat and cleanup recreation sites. Many times, the hours volunteers put in can increase grant funding for projects that help sustain recreation opportunities now and for future generations.

Would you like to volunteer? Learn how:

• Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission 
• WA State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) 
• WA Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)  

Want to earn a complimentary Discover Pass?

Volunteers who work on certain projects on lands managed by State Parks, DNR or WDFW may earn vouchers for every hour they work. Once a volunteer accrues 24 hours or more of vouchers, he or she may submit them for a complimentary Discover Pass. Volunteers may earn one complimentary Discover Pass in a 12-month period. Here’s how it works:

• Register to become an approved volunteer with one or more of the agencies. 
• Participate in Discover Pass-eligible projects with one or more of the agencies. (Make sure a State Parks, DNR or WDFW volunteer supervisor, coordinator or designated staff member issues and signs your voucher.)
• Retain your vouchers. These reflect your time spent on eligible projects. (You are responsible for keeping track.)
• Accrue vouchers totaling 24 or more hours, per person*.
• Send your vouchers to the address listed on the bottom of each voucher.
• Receive a complimentary Discover Pass by mail.

*In 2017, the Legislature authorized that married spouses may combine vouchers demonstrating collective performance of 24 hours of service on eligible projects to be redeemed for a single Discover Pass.

How do I find out about Discover Pass-eligible volunteer projects? 

State Parks, WDFW and DNR developed general criteria for projects that are eligible to earn a complimentary Discover Pass. To learn more about what projects are Discover Pass eligible, visit:

• State Parks: Contact the park office where you are interested in volunteering.
• DNR: Check our volunteer calendar. All Discover Pass eligible projects will be listed.
• WDFW: Visit our volunteer opportunities page. Eligible project are identified in project descriptions.

Anything else I should know?

• You don’t 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 of time. If you have extra vouchers, hold on to them and redeem them the next year.
• You may accrue volunteer vouchers from one, two or all three of the agencies.
• If you volunteer in a capacity that already earns something in exchange for services, such as participating in the State 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.