Friends of the ACFL Volunteer Handbook
The Friends of the Anacortes Community Forest Lands (ACFL) is a non-profit, citizens organization dedicated to the preservation of the Anacortes Community Forest Lands through education, outreach, and stewardship.
Overview
Thank you for joining us as a volunteer! Since 1987, Friends of the ACFL has worked in the Anacortes community to foster a shared sense of dedication to the care, protection, and enjoyment of the Anacortes Community Forest Lands. Our work has included:
A successful community campaign to halt revenue logging in the ACFL
The development and promotion of the Conservation Easement Program to preserve the ACFL in perpetuity
Providing volunteers for stewardship projects, trail maintenance, and habitat restoration in the forest
Cooperating with the City of Anacortes in all aspects of forest management
Supporting the city’s acquisition of additional acreage to be preserved as part of the ACFL
Providing free forest education for all ages on natural history, local ecology, and responsible recreation.
Providing input on the management of the ACFL through participation in the Forest Advisory Board, Planning Commission, and City Council meetings
Developing citizen science projects to engage community members in active stewardship of their backyard forest
Our work would not be possible without the continued efforts of volunteers like you joining us in our mission.
WHAT WE DO:
Since the beginning, all Friends of the ACFL programming has been free and open to the public. Our website (www.friendsoftheacfl.org) or our e-newsletter are the best ways to stay connected with upcoming events and programs.
FOREST DISCOVERY CENTER: Friends of the ACFL opened the Forest Discovery Center in November 2024. This interpretive space serves as a hub for forest education and engagement.
Volunteer roles supporting this program area: Discovery Center Docents
YOUTH EDUCATION PROGRAM
SCHOOL PROGRAMS - Friends of the ACFL has long provided field trips and classroom lessons to K, 3rd, and 7th grade students in the Anacortes School District. Homeschool field trip days were piloted in 2025.
AFTERSCHOOL IN THE ACFL - Piloted during the COVID-19 pandemic, Friends offers four sessions of Afterschool in the ACFL per year.
FOREST DISCOVERY SUMMER DAY CAMP - Our flagship camp program, Forest Discovery began in the 80s and has continued every year since its inception. We currently offer 6 weeks of free summer camp per year as part of this program.
SCHOOL YEAR CAMPS - We have also expanded our camp programs into Science Sleuths: Spring Break Camp which offers a morning and afternoon session, and a Young Explorers: A K-5 half day camp during Anacortes School District’s conference weeks in October and February.
FAMILY HIKES - Family hikes are typically planned once monthly, and are the only community program led and facilitated by the Youth Education Coordinator. These short hikes lead family groups in a short walk, a story time, and a nature craft activity.
Volunteer roles supporting this program area: none currently
COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGRAM
SENIOR HIKES - We partner with the Anacortes Senior Center to offer monthly senior hikes year-round.
ALL AGES/COMMUNITY HIKES - We typically plan 1 - 2 community hikes each month, year round. These programs are open to people of all ages and focus on a wide variety of topics and themes, but are generally longer in distance and/or require more technical skill than our senior hikes.
STEWARDSHIP HIKES: This program typically runs during the fall and winter months (ground wasp season makes traveling off-trail during the warmer months hazardous) and acts as an “early warning” system to spot new invasive species patches or other management challenges in the forest.
CITIZEN/COMMUNITY SCIENCE PROGRAMS - We have our own water quality monitoring program which samples chemical water quality across 4 sample sites in the Little Cranberry Lake watershed. In 2023, we piloted a bimonthly (6 times/year) macroinvertebrate survey to complement the existing project. Finally, we continue to support Transition Fidalgo’s Forest Monitoring Project as a partnering organization. Data from the Friends’ citizen science program is compiled annually and reported to the City of Anacortes and Forest Advisory Board.
NATURALIST CLUB - Each spring, a new cohort of the Naturalist Club is inducted through a series of 10 classes and field trips which cover ACFL ecology from a “ground, up” approach. After completing the spring series, new Naturalist Club members are brought into the wider group, composed of active members from previous cohorts, who continue to meet as a group monthly through the rest of the year.
TRAIL AMBASSADORS - Trail Ambassadors are stationed at the ACFL’s major trailheads during the summer and are the “eyes and ears” for both the Friends and the Parks Department.
Volunteer roles supporting this program area: citizen science volunteers, hike assistants, trail ambassadors
NON-EDUCATION PROGRAMS/OTHER ROLES
While education programs are the backbone of our work, there are a number of other roles we play in service of the Anacortes Community Forest Lands.
CITY OF ANACORTES FOREST ADVISORY BOARD MEETINGS - Friends of the ACFL has a standing agenda item to update the board on all of our programming or to get permission for new programs or activities (for example, our macroinvertebrate monitoring).
FOREST MANAGEMENT - While Friends of the ACFL does not directly manage any aspect of the forest, we do play an important role in City policy and Parks and Recreation decision making. We contribute to any major management or protection documents or plans before the City, including but not limited to the Critical Areas Ordinance, the Shoreline Master Plan, the ACFL Forest Plan, and any potential changes to policy or procedure that make their way before the Forest Advisory Board.
WORK PARTIES: Friends partners with the City of Anacortes to host quarterly stewardship work parties throughout the ACFL.
Volunteer roles supporting this program area: work party crews (no pre-registration required)
Volunteer Roles and Responsibilities
For all volunteer roles, your best source of information is your staff lead. If you have any questions about the expectations for your volunteer shift, please reach out to us!
Ellie Kravets, Community Programs Coordinator: (360) 320-6838 | ellie@friendsoftheacfl.org
Kendra McConnell, Development and Outreach Coordinator: (360) 610-7433 | kendra@friendsoftheacfl.org
Incident reporting
Please see our Incident and Near Miss Reporting Policy for full details. When in doubt, call 911 for emergencies and/or your staff lead ASAP.
De-escalation
While we will make every effort to ensure that your volunteer shift is a pleasant one, all Friends of the ACFL programs take place in front of the general public. We include these de-escalation tips in order to support volunteers in the rare instances where they may be needed.
Your safety is our top priority. You are never expected to engage in de-escalation during your shift. When in doubt, contact your staff lead (or law enforcement for emergencies) and remove yourself from the situation.
Techniques/Behaviors that can aid in de-escalation:
Remain calm: A purposeful demonstration of calmness and composure can enable de-escalation.
Respect personal space: Maintain a safe distance and avoid touching the other person.
Listen: Give your full attention, nod, ask questions, and avoid changing the subject or interrupting.
Empathize: Present genuine concern and a willingness to understand without judging.
Body language: Keep your stance relaxed and open, maintaining a neutral and/or attentive facial expression.
Get assistance: You are not alone. In a situation where de-escalation may be needed, pull in your staff lead for help.
While volunteering for the Friends, any encounter where you engage in de-escalation may trigger our incident reporting policy. Please contact your staff lead as soon as it is safe to do so for further advice.
Safe Space / Anti-Discrimination
Friends of the ACFL is committed to providing a positive work environment free of harassment, discrimination, and other unprofessional conduct. All gender identities, sexual orientations, races, abilities, and backgrounds are welcomed and celebrated here. If you have been the subject of harassment or any other prohibited conduct, or have observed any inappropriate behavior or violations of program policies, etc., you are encouraged to bring your complaint to your staff lead or - should the grievance involve your staff lead - to the Executive Director.
Minors
Minors may volunteer for the Friends of the ACFL when paired with a trusted adult or when their volunteer shift occurs solely under the supervision of Friends of the ACFL staff. Some volunteer shifts may occur at 21+ events and cannot accommodate minors.
Attire
Wearing Friends of the ACFL logo gear is preferred, but not required, for most volunteer shifts. Public-facing interpretation volunteers (trail ambassadors and docents) are expected to wear their nametag during their shift. Please don’t wear branded gear of other outdoor organizations, in order to prevent confusion (i.e, state/national parks, or other nonprofits).
Behavior
During your volunteer shift, you are representing the Friends of the ACFL. Every volunteer is expected to act in a professional, responsible, and courteous manner during volunteer shifts. While in the ACFL, volunteers are expected to behave in accordance with the park rules and be good representatives of responsible trail stewardship (i.e., following Leave No Trace principles where applicable.)
Periodically, you may be asked to comment on Friends of the ACFL official stances/policies during your shift. Your staff lead will make every effort to keep you informed of current events that may come up during your shift, but you should always direct questions of this nature to Friends or Parks staff directly.
No volunteer may represent Friends of the ACFL’s official position on any matter to the media, elected officials, or public/private donors without specific authorization. If these situations should arise, the only correct course is to contact your staff lead.
Reporting and rule breaks
For emergencies or any urgent situation, dial 911.
For rule breaks that should be reported, call non-emergency police line: (360) 428-3211
In the event of a police call, follow up with a text/call to your lead and Parks & Recreation (if in the ACFL).
Friends of the ACFL
Ellie Kravets: (360) 320-6838
Kendra McConnell: (360) 610-7433
Anacortes Parks and Recreation
Main Office (M - F, 8am - 5pm): (360) 293-1918 or
Bob Vaux, Parks Assistant Director: (360) 661-3503
Attendance
Volunteers are expected to honor their shift commitments, arrive on time, and stay for the expected duration of the volunteer shift/activity. If you find yourself unable to fulfill this commitment, you must let your staff lead know as soon as possible (preferably at least 10 days in advance of your shift) in order to give us time to plan for your absence and/or find a replacement. In the event of a last-minute/emergency cancellation, please notify us with a phone call (contact information listed above) as soon as possible.
A no-show occurs when a volunteer fails to fill their shift without providing advance notice. Volunteers who accumulate more than two no shows in a three month period may face a review of their continued volunteer eligibility.
Communications
Most volunteer communications will occur via email, although last minute notifications may require a phone call. Volunteers are expected to watch their emails, especially in the week leading up to their shift, to stay on top of relevant communications. Please read through our emails thoroughly and respond to questions promptly.
Bringing a friend (or pet)
Please communicate with your staff lead in advance before planning to bring a friend or pet to a volunteer shift. Our capacity to accept “tagalongs” varies depending on the volunteer role. In general, well-behaved “extras” may be permissible during a citizen science shift but we will be unable to accommodate “extras” during interpretation shifts. Service animals are exceptions, but we still appreciate communication ahead of time.
Leave No Trace/ACFL Rules and Regulations
Volunteers are expected to familiarize themselves with the principles of Leave No Trace and use those guidelines to inform their time in the ACFL. Additionally, volunteers are expected to follow all rules and regulations of the ACFL while on trail.
While in the ACFL:
No campfires, smoking, or use of any other source of heat/sparks.
Dogs must be on leash at all times, and pet waste must be bagged and hauled out.
Be mindful of user group restrictions on trails (reference the City trail maps for use restrictions.)
No alcohol is permitted within the ACFL.
For more information on Leave No Trace, visit: www.lnt.org
For online versions of the ACFL trail maps, with trail use restrictions, visit: www.friendsoftheacfl.org/maps
Paper copies of the trail maps can be purchased from Parks and Recreation, the Forest Discovery Center, or Watermark Books.