Arizona Volunteers Keep Public Lands Welcoming Year-Round

Across the deserts and rivers of western Arizona, hundreds of volunteers are quietly transforming public lands into welcoming spaces for millions of annual visitors.

Randy Funk starts each morning with a walk through Burro Creek Campground, greeting campers and answering questions. She's been volunteering as a campground host since 2019, drawn back year after year by the quiet beauty and tight-knit community of regular visitors who return to rockhound, birdwatch, and relax by the wash.

"Public lands gave my family so much," said Funk, a retired science teacher who spent years hiking and camping with her kids. "Volunteering felt like a way to give something back."

Her days include checking campsites, explaining reservation systems, and sharing what she calls "informal interpretation moments" about local wildlife and geology. She credits volunteers with helping federal land managers stretch limited staff across millions of acres.

Tom Dolan has spent 14 years serving the Lake Havasu area, primarily overseeing Quail Hollow and multiple day-use sites along the Parker Strip. His responsibilities range from maintaining facilities and restocking supplies to directing visitors toward off-highway vehicle areas and local hikes like Painted Rock.

"If you feel good about yourself and where you're living, you want to keep it looking nice," Dolan said. He serves as extra eyes and ears for the field office, observing conditions and maintaining a visible presence that supports safe recreation.

The Ripple Effect

These volunteers represent hundreds of people who strengthen the Bureau of Land Management's Colorado River District each year. Their dedication extends limited staff resources while building deeper connections between local communities and the landscapes they enjoy.

William Mack Jr., district manager of the Colorado River District, emphasizes their essential role. "Their dedication helps extend the reach of our staff while strengthening the connection between local communities and the landscapes they enjoy."

For those considering volunteering, both Funk and Dolan offer similar advice: bring patience, flexibility, and a willingness to serve. The work requires enjoying people and taking pride in your environment.

These volunteers prove that caring for public lands creates ripple effects far beyond maintained campsites and clean facilities.