Opportunities From: Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority

We're seeking 4 volunteers to help with a Senior Stargazing Event ⭐

The Basics

Volunteer shift date & time: Friday, Sept.11. 2026 from 6:45 p.m. to 10:45 p.m. 

Program Time: 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. 

Note: the program run time is NOT the volunteer shift. We need volunteers to arrive early to set up, and clean up after the event .

Location: Alum Rock Park, Eagle Rock Parking Lot

15184 Penitencia Creek Rd, San Jose, CA 95132For a map of Alum Rock Park, please see this link: https://www.sanjoseca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/110007/639150402394870000

Project code (when recording your well-deserved volunteer hours): Starry Nights

⭐Description: Join us to help with Starry Nights at Alum Rock Park! Assist us and our partners from San Jose Astronomical Association (SJAA) to bring the excitement of our glittery skies to the seniors in our community. Don't know stars? No problem! That's why we got the pros.

What we'll need help with is ensuring the event runs smoothly and efficiently - we hope you'll sign up and join us:

What we're asking YOU to help with:

Set upTear DownParkingChecking-in guestsHaving fun! Make sure our guests (and you!) have an enjoyable stargazing experience

What should I bring? Let us know if you have questions or concerns.

Volunteer shirtHigh-vis-vestFlashlight with a red-light optionComfortable walking shoesLight layersA camp chair

More information:

The event runs for two hours. We expect attendees to trickle in from 7:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. At 10 p.m.  we will start cleaning up and we should be all wrapped up by 10:30 p.m. There will be 8-10 different telescopes with an astronomer at each one looking at different objects in the sky. Guests are welcome to move from station to station as they like. We are expecting up to 70 cars for this event.The event will be cancelled in the case of rainy weather and/or poor viewing conditions.

Notes: 

Please review the information below to ensure you're ready to go!If you find that you can no longer make it, please cancel your attendance ASAP and email Kat so that we can make sure that this event is properly staffed.If cloudy or inclement weather is forecasted, volunteers will be directly informed by either OSA staffPro-tip:Bring layers, good shoes, water, snacks, and everything you need to be self-sufficient for the eventVolunteers need to have attended OSA's interpretive host training to participate AND be enrolled in the volunteer portal. Questions? Email Kat Hill at khill@openspaceauthority.org

What we told the public:

OSA is teaming up with San Jose Astronomical Association (SJAA) to co-host this eventIt's a "senior stargazing event!" at Alum Rock Park.OSA-approved SJAA club members will set up telescopes and provide tons of content and knowledge  (and of course, a fun-filled, exciting experience)During the event, the public is welcome to move freely from telescope to telescope, each one looking at a different features in the skyWe requested for the public NOT to bring their own telescope (binoculars are welcomed, but please no tripods)We told the public to arrive by 8 p.m. and they will start arriving by 7:30 p.m.  Please arrive by 6:45 p.m.so that you can help us get set-up and we can coordinate roles for the event.

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We're seeking 4 volunteers to help with our Latino Conservation Celebration!

The Basics

Volunteer shift time 

Date/Shift Time: Tuesday, September 15, 2026, 5:45 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. 

Program Time: 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM (please note that we will bring attendees out via a sensory walk around the ponds, and around 7:45 p.m. will arrive at the astronomers spot. 

Location: Little Uvas Preserve 16541-16905 Uvas Rd, Morgan Hill, CA 95037

Please note that this preserve is closed to the public and about 10 minutes past Rancho Canada del Oro. 

Description: We are seeking some enthusiastic  preserve stewards to help us facilitate parking, welcome table, hot cocoa and manage the gate during our Latino Conservation Celebration.  Help us provide a one-of -a kind experience in the outdoors after dark. Attendees will join us for some tabling, there will be a sensory walk at sunset, and attendees will also get to see and appreciate the moon in it's waxing crescent phase. Cloudy or inclement weather if forecasted, volunteers will be directly informed by OSA staff

Pro-tips: Bring layers, good shoes, water, snacks, and everything you need to be self-sufficient for the event.

Please reach out to Kat Hill khill@openspaceauthority.org if you have any questions about the event. 

Project Name for Reporting Hours: Educational Activity

What we told the public:

Join the Open Space Authority, San Jose Astronomical Association (SJAA) and US Fish and Wildlife to celebrate the beauty of nature and community for Latino Conservation Week! As the sun begins to set, we will embark on a guided sensory walk, taking the time to experience nature through sight, sound, touch and smell. We will listen for the evening chorus of frogs and discover the changing colors of the landscape at sunset. As darkness falls, our volunteer astrodocents will help us turn our eyes to the night sky. With telescopes, participants will have the opportunity to view the waxing crescent moon and learn about its phases and surface features. We hope you can join us to celebrate our community, connection, and the beauty of outdoors. Dress in layers and bring a red-flashlight to preserve your night vision. Bring water and a snack . Note that the walk to the moon viewing area can be rocky, so close-toed shoes are recommended. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

We're seeking 5 volunteers to help with Starry Nights each month in 2026! ⭐

The Basics

Volunteer shift date & time: Varies - specific times shown in YELLOW below

Program Time: Varies - shown below in white

Note: the program run time is NOT the volunteer shift. We need volunteers to arrive early to set up, and clean up after the event ents. See the specific shift time in yellow.

Location: Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve:

4289 Casa Loma Rd, Morgan Hill, CA, 95037For more information about Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve please click here: https://www.openspaceauthority.org/preserves/rancho.html

Project code (when recording your well-deserved volunteer hours): Starry Nights

Volunteer Shift time (shown in YELLOW below)

Tell me more!

⭐Description: Join us to help with Starry Nights at Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve! Assist us and our partners from San Jose Astronomical Association (SJAA) to bring the excitement of our glittery skies to the community - and learn some stuff while you're at it! Don't know stars? No problem! That's why we got the pros.

What we'll need help with is ensuring the event runs smoothly and efficiently - we hope you'll sign up and join us for one of our most popular events.

What we're asking YOU to help with:

Set upTear DownParkingChecking-in guestsSupporting the simple craft station, if applicableHaving fun! Make sure our guests (and you!) have an enjoyable stargazing experience

What should I bring? Let us know if you have questions or concerns.

Volunteer shirtHigh-vis-vestFlashlight with a red-light optionComfortable walking shoesLight layersA camp chair

More information:

The event runs for two hours. About 30 minutes after the program starts, most guests will have arrived, and you can enjoy the rest of the night stargazing! At the end of the specified "program run time" we will start cleaning up and we should be all wrapped up by an hour after the program.There will be 10 – 12 different telescopes with an astronomer at each one looking at different objects in the sky. Guests are welcome to move from station to station as they like. There are usually upwards of 80 guests who come and join us for these events!The event will be cancelled in the case of rainy weather and/or poor viewing conditions.

Notes: 

Please review the information below to ensure you're ready to go!If you find that you can no longer make it, please cancel your attendance ASAP and email Kat so that we can make sure that this event is properly staffed.If cloudy or inclement weather is forecasted, volunteers will be directly informed by either OSA staffPro-tip:Bring layers, good shoes, water, snacks, and everything you need to be self-sufficient for the eventThis is a popular event! - know that we'll have a full crew and roster. OSA's team is here to support how we can - please let us know if there are specific ways we can do soVolunteers need to have attended OSA's interpretive host training to participate AND be enrolled in the volunteer portal. Questions? Email Kat Hill at khill@openspaceauthority.org

What we told the public:

OSA is teaming up with San Jose Astronomical Association (SJAA) to co-host this eventIt's a "star party!" at Rancho Cañada del OroWe're going to be 20 minutes south of downtown San José, this location features night skies so dark we can see the band of our Milky Way galaxyOSA-approved SJAA club members will set up telescopes and provide tons of content and knowledge  (and of course, a fun-filled, exciting experience)During the event, the public is welcome to move freely from telescope to telescope, each one looking at a different features in the skyWe requested for the public NOT to bring their own telescope (binoculars are welcomed, but please no tripods)Gates will be closed to the public 30 minutes after the program starts to minimize headlights and create the best viewing experience. Please arrive before then (for volunteers, see the specific shift time above that differs from what we are sharing with the public)

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Join VET's staff from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on August 29, 2026 to learn all about how to use interpretive techniques for engaging our preserve audiences! We will go over our mission and resources, engagement techniques for all roles and for all attendees. We hope you can make it to this training date so that you will be prepared for volunteering with us.

We will be hosting our training at the Tilton Ranch Complex-- a great place to bird, learn about agriculture and local history! If weather is uncooperative, we will train at our offices at 33 Las Colinas Lane. 

This training is a qualification for representing the Authority as a Community Outreach Volunteer, supporting large scale public events such as Open Access events as a Preserve Steward, or for participating in trail patrol. This training is also required for volunteers who wish to help out as a part of the Habitat Protection Team at Máyyan 'Ooyákma. We want all volunteers to be well-versed in our mission, values and resources so please take this opportunity to come learn with us!

Please sign up before August 25 to ensure staff have time to prepare you a name-tag, volunteer shirt and send out directions. Please email Jeanette (jmayorga@openspaceauthority.org) directly if you are trying to sign up after August 25.