Just an hour outside of San Francisco, San Jose is nestled in the heart of Silicon Valley. While it’s one of the major hubs of the tech industry, this Californian city is also full of many opportunities to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors. It’s actually one of California’s great underrated hubs of experience. If you feel like giving back on your next trip, San Jose will not disappoint. Travelers who visit San Jose can help improve the city’s environment by volunteering for San Jose’s Guadalupe River Park Conservancy. Check out the voluntourism program below and remember to watch the broadcast of the Peter Greenberg Worldwide Radio Show from San Jose, California. Plus, don’t forget to check out our archive for all kinds of voluntourism opportunities.

If you’re interested in enjoying one of San Jose’s major parks while giving back to the community, join the Guadalupe River Park Conservancy for the Heritage Rose Garden volunteer sessions. You’ll be able to help maintain the park’s beautiful roses and also learn some crucial gardening skills.

The Guadalupe River Park Conservancy is made up of passionate San Jose residents dedicated to improving the city’s Guadalupe River Park and Gardens. Located along the Guadalupe River in Downtown San Jose, the park was constructed in 1992. It is three miles long and made of various gardens, including a historic orchard, a community garden, and a bluegrass turf demonstration.

The Conservancy needs volunteers every week to help tend to the thousands of roses. Every Wednesday and Saturday, volunteers learn how to prune flowers through training sessions that last from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Then volunteers get to apply their new skills and prune roses in the garden.

This experience is for people of all ages. Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by their parent or guardian.To learn more about the Guadalupe River Park Conservancy and to find out what you need to volunteer, check out the website.

Want to learn about more ways you can volunteer while you’re traveling? Check out:

• Beyond the Buzzword: Agritourism Explained
• The Three Questions You Should Ask Before Volunteering Abroad
• Teen Volunteer Opportunities At Home & Abroad
• How You Can Help Others by Donating Old Soap

By J. Shadé Quintanilla for PeterGreenberg.com