Opportunities From: Arizona Game and Fish Department

Volunteer: AZ Antelope Foundation: Rocky Prairie Fence Modification

Project Location: We will be working on the Apache National Forest about 12 miles south of Big Lake in the White Mountains.
Project Begins: Saturday, May 16th at 7:30AM. Meet at camp for specific work instructions. The campsite is located in close proximity of the project site.
Project Activity: We will be modifying approximately 2 miles of existing low hanging four and five strand fence by removing the bottom strand(s) of barbed wire and replacing with a single strand of smooth wire at a height of 18 inches.
Pronghorn Benefits: The project is located in a rather isolated grassland that is key summer range for approximately 35 pronghorn. This grassland supports a good number of summering does who give birth in this localized habitat. Modifying these fences will allow easier mobility for these animals. These pronghorn are associated with the population that summers in the Big Lake area. This project is our seventh project to enhance habitat for these migratory pronghorn.

Volunteer Benefits: All volunteer work hours and mileage will be used as in-kind match for federally funded wildlife enhancement projects including the Arizona Game and Fish Habitat Partnership program.
What to Bring: Workgloves (The AAF will have a limited supply), snacks, water, sunscreen, personal gear.
Meals: Please provide your own lunches to eat in the field on the Saturday work day. The AAF will be providing dinners on Friday and Saturday nights and continental breakfasts with coffee and juice on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
Camping Restrictions: No restrictions to note at this time. If fire restrictions are in place during this project they may include no open fires and the use of charcoal.


Contact: Dave Cagle at (928) 242-9871 or info@azantelope.org. Please RSVP by Monday, May 11th to info@azantelope.org.   Let us know if you are attending so we can plan to have enough food and tools for everyone.


Directions to Camp:

AAF camp site will be located at Horse Springs Group camping site, located on the East Fork of the Black River. This site is located about 13 miles South of Big Lake.

- Travel 26 miles east of Pinetop towards Springerville on Highway 260;
- Turn right (south) on State Highway 273 at the Sunrise turnoff
- Go about 19.5 miles South/East on Highway 273 to the 249E turnoff and turn right (south). The 249E turnoff is approximate-ly .5 miles after you pass Big Lake.
- Drive .6 miles on 249E and turn left on F.S. 24 road. Drive East on F.S. 24 road for 9.9 miles, until you reach a 4-way junction.
- Turn left at junction onto F.S. 276 (North) for approximately 2 miles. Horse Springs Campground will be on the right hand side.

Please note this is a semi public camping area, but efforts will be made to “reserve” a specific AAF camping area. The campground will have limited water and restrooms to use. There is great fishing behind the campsite as well.

Program: Region 1 Pinetop

Project Location: We will be working on the Apache National Forest about 12 miles south of Big Lake in the White Mountains.
Project Begins: Saturday, May 16th at 7:30AM. Meet at camp for specific work instructions. The campsite is located in close proximity of the project site.
Project Activity: We will be modifying approximately 2 miles of existing low hanging four and five strand fence by removing the bottom strand(s) of barbed wire and replacing with a single strand of smooth wire at a height of 18 inches.
Pronghorn Benefits: The project is located in a rather isolated grassland that is key summer range for approximately 35 pronghorn. This grassland supports a good number of summering does who give birth in this localized habitat. Modifying these fences will allow easier mobility for these animals. These pronghorn are associated with the population that summers in the Big Lake area. This project is our seventh project to enhance habitat for these migratory pronghorn.

Volunteer Benefits: All volunteer work hours and mileage will be used as in-kind match for federally funded wildlife enhancement projects including the Arizona Game and Fish Habitat Partnership program.
What to Bring: Workgloves (The AAF will have a limited supply), snacks, water, sunscreen, personal gear.
Meals: Please provide your own lunches to eat in the field on the Saturday work day. The AAF will be providing dinners on Friday and Saturday nights and continental breakfasts with coffee and juice on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
Camping Restrictions: No restrictions to note at this time. If fire restrictions are in place during this project they may include no open fires and the use of charcoal.


Contact: Dave Cagle at (928) 242-9871 or info@azantelope.org. Please RSVP by Monday, May 11th to info@azantelope.org.   Let us know if you are attending so we can plan to have enough food and tools for everyone.


Directions to Camp:

AAF camp site will be located at Horse Springs Group camping site, located on the East Fork of the Black River. This site is located about 13 miles South of Big Lake.

- Travel 26 miles east of Pinetop towards Springerville on Highway 260;
- Turn right (south) on State Highway 273 at the Sunrise turnoff
- Go about 19.5 miles South/East on Highway 273 to the 249E turnoff and turn right (south). The 249E turnoff is approximate-ly .5 miles after you pass Big Lake.
- Drive .6 miles on 249E and turn left on F.S. 24 road. Drive East on F.S. 24 road for 9.9 miles, until you reach a 4-way junction.
- Turn left at junction onto F.S. 276 (North) for approximately 2 miles. Horse Springs Campground will be on the right hand side.

Please note this is a semi public camping area, but efforts will be made to “reserve” a specific AAF camping area. The campground will have limited water and restrooms to use. There is great fishing behind the campsite as well.

Program: Region 1 Pinetop

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: May 15, 2026 through May 17, 2026

Zip Code: 85927

Allow Groups: No


Volunteer: New Volunteers Start Here - Region 1

Region 1 Volunteer Waitlist

Program: Region 1 Pinetop

Region 1 Volunteer Waitlist

Program: Region 1 Pinetop

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Is Ongoing

Zip Code: 85935

Allow Groups: No


Volunteer: Becker Lake Host - Fishing and Boater Education

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is recruiting for two Becker Lake host volunteer positions located at the Becker Lake Wildlife Area near Springerville, Arizona. The chosen candidates for these two lake host volunteer positions will work together to help distribute information on the regulations, methods to catch fish, and proper release techniques to anglers visiting Becker Lake. The hosts will work closely with Department staff on messaging how and why the Department manages Becker Lake as it is currently managed and will be a crucial link between the angling public and Department staff to assist with management of this important fishery. In addition to working closely with anglers, these positions will also inform non-angling users of the Becker Lake Wildlife Area of wildlife area rules. While these host positions will not have law enforcement abilities, the hosts play a valuable role in monitoring and reporting violations to wildlife managers or local law enforcement. As part of these two volunteer positions the Department provides two concrete RV or travel trailer camping spots with electrical hookup, sewer and water for use by volunteers free of charge. Hosts will need to provide their own RV or travel trailer.

Questions?  Please feel free to contact Ryan Follmuth at 928-532-3692

 

 

Program: Region 1 Pinetop

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is recruiting for two Becker Lake host volunteer positions located at the Becker Lake Wildlife Area near Springerville, Arizona. The chosen candidates for these two lake host volunteer positions will work together to help distribute information on the regulations, methods to catch fish, and proper release techniques to anglers visiting Becker Lake. The hosts will work closely with Department staff on messaging how and why the Department manages Becker Lake as it is currently managed and will be a crucial link between the angling public and Department staff to assist with management of this important fishery. In addition to working closely with anglers, these positions will also inform non-angling users of the Becker Lake Wildlife Area of wildlife area rules. While these host positions will not have law enforcement abilities, the hosts play a valuable role in monitoring and reporting violations to wildlife managers or local law enforcement. As part of these two volunteer positions the Department provides two concrete RV or travel trailer camping spots with electrical hookup, sewer and water for use by volunteers free of charge. Hosts will need to provide their own RV or travel trailer.

Questions?  Please feel free to contact Ryan Follmuth at 928-532-3692

 

 

Program: Region 1 Pinetop

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Is Ongoing

Zip Code: 85938

Allow Groups: No


Volunteer: Sipe Wildlife Area - Visitor Center Outreach & Bird Feeding

Spend your summer surrounded by nature! Join us as the beautiful Sipe Wildlife Area as a Volunteer Camp Host. Help the volunteer team to open and close the visitor center, maintain hummingbird feeders, assist with light landscaping, and provide a warm welcome to visitors.

20–25 hours/week

Schedule shared with team (center open daily, 8am–5pm)

Full hookups: electric (30 amp), water

Now through October 15

Bird lovers and nature enthusiasts encouraged to apply!


For more info or to apply, contact:

Ron Logan, Region 1 Property Manager

OFFICE: 928-333-4518

CELL: 480-662-5767

rlogan@azgfd.gov


Program: Region 1 Pinetop

Spend your summer surrounded by nature! Join us as the beautiful Sipe Wildlife Area as a Volunteer Camp Host. Help the volunteer team to open and close the visitor center, maintain hummingbird feeders, assist with light landscaping, and provide a warm welcome to visitors.

20–25 hours/week

Schedule shared with team (center open daily, 8am–5pm)

Full hookups: electric (30 amp), water

Now through October 15

Bird lovers and nature enthusiasts encouraged to apply!


For more info or to apply, contact:

Ron Logan, Region 1 Property Manager

OFFICE: 928-333-4518

CELL: 480-662-5767

rlogan@azgfd.gov


Program: Region 1 Pinetop

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Is Ongoing

Zip Code: 85938

Allow Groups: No


Volunteer: EARTH MONTH Rim Lakes Fishing Line Clean-up

In celebration of Earth Month and APS’s 140th anniversary, join us for a multi-lake cleanup on Wednesday, April 29, from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM. We will gather at Rim Top Trailhead and then deploy to nearby locations—Woods Canyon, Willow Springs and Bear Canyon Lake—to clear fishing line and litter. Volunteers will be walking beach areas and hiking trails to help protect local wildlife.

What to bring:

Tools, bags and gloves will be available; bring your own work gloves if you have them. Wear proper attire for being outdoors and in the sun, i.e. hat and sunscreen. Some water and snacks will be provided, please bring lunch or additional food you may want. Minor children must be accompanied and supervised by a parent or guardian throughout the project.

Questions? Contact volunteer@azgfd.gov or 602-526-2004.


Rim Top Trailhead from Payson:

Head East on AZ-260: Drive east from Payson for approximately 30 miles.

Locate Rim Road: Look for the turnoff for Woods Canyon Lake (Rim Road / Forest Road 300), situated just east of milepost 282.

Turn Left (North): Turn left onto Rim Road (FR 300). The trailhead is located just 0.2 miles ahead on the north side of the road. 

The trailhead is directly across from the Mogollon Rim Visitor Center.



Why?

Improperly disposed fishing line can be consumed by, or entangle, many animals including mammals and migratory birds. Regular cleanups can prevent ospreys, bald eagles, waterfowl, and pets from encountering dangerous and often lethal entanglement. After needing to rescue an eagle nestling last year, which required months of rehabilitation prior to release back to the wild, APS has volunteered to work on coordinating a fishing line cleanup event at the various locations throughtout the state in honor of their 140th birthday! Rim lakes have nesting bald eagles.


Read more about the Department's Monofilament Recovery Program here. 




Program: Region 1 Pinetop

In celebration of Earth Month and APS’s 140th anniversary, join us for a multi-lake cleanup on Wednesday, April 29, from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM. We will gather at Rim Top Trailhead and then deploy to nearby locations—Woods Canyon, Willow Springs and Bear Canyon Lake—to clear fishing line and litter. Volunteers will be walking beach areas and hiking trails to help protect local wildlife.

What to bring:

Tools, bags and gloves will be available; bring your own work gloves if you have them. Wear proper attire for being outdoors and in the sun, i.e. hat and sunscreen. Some water and snacks will be provided, please bring lunch or additional food you may want. Minor children must be accompanied and supervised by a parent or guardian throughout the project.

Questions? Contact volunteer@azgfd.gov or 602-526-2004.


Rim Top Trailhead from Payson:

Head East on AZ-260: Drive east from Payson for approximately 30 miles.

Locate Rim Road: Look for the turnoff for Woods Canyon Lake (Rim Road / Forest Road 300), situated just east of milepost 282.

Turn Left (North): Turn left onto Rim Road (FR 300). The trailhead is located just 0.2 miles ahead on the north side of the road. 

The trailhead is directly across from the Mogollon Rim Visitor Center.



Why?

Improperly disposed fishing line can be consumed by, or entangle, many animals including mammals and migratory birds. Regular cleanups can prevent ospreys, bald eagles, waterfowl, and pets from encountering dangerous and often lethal entanglement. After needing to rescue an eagle nestling last year, which required months of rehabilitation prior to release back to the wild, APS has volunteered to work on coordinating a fishing line cleanup event at the various locations throughtout the state in honor of their 140th birthday! Rim lakes have nesting bald eagles.


Read more about the Department's Monofilament Recovery Program here. 




Program: Region 1 Pinetop

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Is Ongoing

Zip Code: 85541

Allow Groups: No


Volunteer: Youth Turkey Camp

Hosted with Youth Outdoors Unlimited. Please contact Velma Holt for more details:

VHolt@azgfd.gov 

928-266-6623


Program: Region 1 Pinetop

Hosted with Youth Outdoors Unlimited. Please contact Velma Holt for more details:

VHolt@azgfd.gov 

928-266-6623


Program: Region 1 Pinetop

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Is Ongoing

Zip Code: 85207

Allow Groups: No