Volunteers are the heart of UConn Extension. Your time, talents, and passions help us reach every corner of Connecticut—and deepen our impact in communities large and small.

When you volunteer with Extension, you’re doing more than just giving back—you’re transforming lives. Volunteers help us:

• Teach new skills and life lessons to youth (through 4-H, Natural Resources, etc.)
• Strengthen communities by empowering people through knowledge, mentorship, and shared work
• Protect and preserve our environment through citizen science, trail work, gardening, conservation
• Expand access to educational opportunities in places that might not have them otherwise

Many of our volunteers say they gain more than they give—improved leadership, new friendships, fresh perspectives, and a real sense of pride in their contributions.

What's in it For Me?

Volunteering with Extension offers:

• A chance to share your expertise and interests, and to learn new ones
• Flexible opportunities—from a few hours every now and then to more regular involvement
• Support & training—most programs offer orientation or training so you feel confident & ready to make a difference
• A rewarding way to build connections in your community & network across the state

Where You Can Volunteer

We have many ways to serve depending on your interests and availability. Some of the areas volunteers currently help include:

4-H Youth Programs — mentoring, leading clubs, organizing events

Master Gardener Program — community gardens, diagnostics, civic beautification

People Empowering People (PEP) — supporting adult learners, helping build life and workplace skills

Natural Resources and Conservation — trail work, environmental monitoring, citizen science projects

Connecticut Trail Census — helping map, document, maintain trails

If none of those match exactly, tell us what you care about—we’d love help creating new opportunities too.

How It Works & What We Ask

Time commitment varies by program. You may volunteer occasionally, seasonally, or in a more regular role. Any amount of time you can share is valuable.

Training & support will be provided—programs differ. We’ll help you get up to speed.

Costs are minimal or none for most programs. Some do require fees for training or certification (especially in gardening programs) but we work to make these as accessible as possible.

Want to help make a difference? Here’s how to start:

1. Think about what causes excite you and how much time you can give.
2. Find a program that aligns with your interests—or let us know if you have ideas we haven’t considered.
3. Fill out our interest form below to get connected.
4. Join orientation / training and begin volunteering!

Meet some of the people whose generosity fuels our mission. Their stories show the real change volunteers bring—one club meeting, garden plot, and workshop at a time. These are just a few of the many volunteers who help make UConn Extension successful. Explore their stories below. If you want to learn more about how volunteers make a difference, and where you could step in, please browse our program pages or reach out. We truly couldn’t do this without you.