Kim Casey: Volunteer Programs Manager at IRC
Irvine Ranch Conservancy and its partner OC Parks take pride in protecting, restoring and enhancing native wildlands throughout Orange County. OC Parks encompasses 60,000 acres of park lands across the county including some of which make up the 40,000 acres that are the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. IRC and OC Parks often rely on volunteers to help effectively steward our region’s natural resources and native wildlands to help them thrive for generations to come.
IRC staff member Kim Casey plays a large role when it comes to volunteer programs that benefit Orange County parks and open spaces. As the Manager of Volunteer Programs, Kim oversees the volunteer administration portion of IRC’s contract with OC Parks. This includes the development and implementation of the OC Parks Volunteer Program where IRC oversees roughly 800 volunteers throughout 28 different facilities across the county (including regional parks, wilderness parks, historic parks, beaches, and open space preserves). Kim works with OC Parks staff to onboard and train volunteers, as well as develop training and educational opportunities to support the volunteers in their diverse roles and support park staff with any volunteer management and on-site needs they may have.
IRC staff member Kim Casey plays a large role when it comes to volunteer programs that benefit Orange County parks and open spaces. As the Manager of Volunteer Programs, Kim oversees the volunteer administration portion of IRC’s contract with OC Parks. This includes the development and implementation of the OC Parks Volunteer Program where IRC oversees roughly 800 volunteers throughout 28 different facilities across the county (including regional parks, wilderness parks, historic parks, beaches, and open space preserves). Kim works with OC Parks staff to onboard and train volunteers, as well as develop training and educational opportunities to support the volunteers in their diverse roles and support park staff with any volunteer management and on-site needs they may have.
“This position combined my passion for working with volunteers and my passion for our local parks and outdoor spaces,” said Kim. “It was an exciting opportunity to develop the OC Parks Volunteer Program from the ground up and to make a lasting impact in our local community.”
Working for IRC and the OC Parks Volunteer Program for about nine years, Kim is proud of the growth she has seen in the program and how far along it has come. Prior to Kim’s work, the volunteer program had about 150 active volunteers and most park facilities did not use the volunteers as often as they do today. Kim worked to build a program that made it easy for volunteers to get out in our local parks and for staff to have the assurance that volunteers would have the proper training and uniforming needed to perform their duties. Since then, the volunteer program has grown to roughly 800 volunteers, expanded the number of facilities volunteering is available at, and in 2017 won the National Association of Counties Achievement Award.
“I feel truly blessed that I love my job. But I think what I love the most is the people I get to work with,” said Kim. “Our volunteers are so passionate about what they do, the IRC and OC Parks staff are the most supportive co-workers, and the many partner agencies we work with to help support volunteer efforts throughout the county are amazing! I have built many friendships through this job, and I am so thankful for that!”
Besides working with the volunteers on a daily basis, one of Kim’s favorite moments is getting to honor them for their hard work and dedication. Every year, OC Parks staff and volunteers gather together at the OC Parks Volunteer Celebration where they commemorate the work accomplished in Orange County’s parkland and open spaces.
When Kim isn’t working with the Volunteer Program, she enjoys spending time outdoors and sharing her passion for nature with her kids. Their adventures have led them to explore local county parks, attend OC Parks events, fun camping trips, as well as visiting State and National Parks. Kim loves exploring the outdoors far and wide, but also takes time to enjoy the natural beauty of Orange County whenever she can.
“One of my favorite places on the Landmarks is OC Parks’ Weir Canyon. The oak groves are spectacular and when you are deep in the canyon you feel as if you are 100 miles away from the nearest city,” said Kim. “One of my other favorite OC Parks facilities is Irvine Regional Park. This is one of my kids favorite places to go. There are opportunities for everyone to enjoy! We love hiking and biking as well as playing in the oak groves, visiting the OC Zoo (the best zoo around!), going to the farmers market, and visiting the train station and pony rides!”
For more information about volunteer programs on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, visit IRConservancy.org or follow the Conservancy on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Working for IRC and the OC Parks Volunteer Program for about nine years, Kim is proud of the growth she has seen in the program and how far along it has come. Prior to Kim’s work, the volunteer program had about 150 active volunteers and most park facilities did not use the volunteers as often as they do today. Kim worked to build a program that made it easy for volunteers to get out in our local parks and for staff to have the assurance that volunteers would have the proper training and uniforming needed to perform their duties. Since then, the volunteer program has grown to roughly 800 volunteers, expanded the number of facilities volunteering is available at, and in 2017 won the National Association of Counties Achievement Award.
“I feel truly blessed that I love my job. But I think what I love the most is the people I get to work with,” said Kim. “Our volunteers are so passionate about what they do, the IRC and OC Parks staff are the most supportive co-workers, and the many partner agencies we work with to help support volunteer efforts throughout the county are amazing! I have built many friendships through this job, and I am so thankful for that!”
Besides working with the volunteers on a daily basis, one of Kim’s favorite moments is getting to honor them for their hard work and dedication. Every year, OC Parks staff and volunteers gather together at the OC Parks Volunteer Celebration where they commemorate the work accomplished in Orange County’s parkland and open spaces.
When Kim isn’t working with the Volunteer Program, she enjoys spending time outdoors and sharing her passion for nature with her kids. Their adventures have led them to explore local county parks, attend OC Parks events, fun camping trips, as well as visiting State and National Parks. Kim loves exploring the outdoors far and wide, but also takes time to enjoy the natural beauty of Orange County whenever she can.
“One of my favorite places on the Landmarks is OC Parks’ Weir Canyon. The oak groves are spectacular and when you are deep in the canyon you feel as if you are 100 miles away from the nearest city,” said Kim. “One of my other favorite OC Parks facilities is Irvine Regional Park. This is one of my kids favorite places to go. There are opportunities for everyone to enjoy! We love hiking and biking as well as playing in the oak groves, visiting the OC Zoo (the best zoo around!), going to the farmers market, and visiting the train station and pony rides!”
For more information about volunteer programs on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, visit IRConservancy.org or follow the Conservancy on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
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