billski
Member
Some of you are aware of my efforts as a volunteer to recruit a lot more volunteers forest-wide. The deeper I dig, the more I find. The FS dreams of many volunteers, but doesn't have the staff to manage it. So I'm pursuing a "volunteers manage other volunteers" approach. Like Bruce does for the Pemi Trail Adopters.
Here are some other interesting discoveries.
Trail/Shelter/Tentsite Adopters
My digging has also left me fairly shocked yet not surprised at how many trails and back country shelters and tentsites have no regular attention by an Adopter. Last year, I took a group of 12 MeetUp folks out and we made short work of a 2.5 mile trail spring maintenance drill. These folks don't want to "own" anything. They just want to "show and go". I am toying with the idea of taking more trails and doing a work day. We have over 50 orphaned trails and as many back country shelters and tent sites. Thoughts?
Wildlife Biology Assistants
This is a gem. It's been sitting around for a long time. They get an intern now and then, but there is vastly more work that should be getting done that isn't. Work includes monitoring wildlife, surveys, pruning and releasing bird food sources, plant control with hand tools, monitoring fish and fish habitat, Mapping permanent wildlife opening with a GPS, clearing fire lines.
Facilities Maintenance
This is another one of those ugly ducklings that never gets advertised. Buildings, gates, signs, you name it. The FS staff never gets to it all.
Front Country Patrol
Tool around in a FS truck, inspecting, cleaning, repairing, engaging the public, reporting back issues from roadside areas such as trailheads, parking lots, etc.
Admin work
Prefer desk work? There is a ton of admin chores, from managing Facebook Pages, to copying manuals, designing documents, provide a continuity of ongoing communications between volunteers and staff. Doing analysis of data collected throughout the season, answering phones, collecting and reporting out on data sets. Off season and peak season.
The FS is working on a more flexible, scalable way to get these and other opportunities posted quickly. While we have a FS volunteer web page, FS web pages are slow to be updated. Until that comes, here is a web page I've created http://www.iabsi.com/public/ski/WMNF.html which is updated near-daily.
Mix and Match
Like to do more than one activity? Go for it, pick another one. Just be certain you have the time to fully devote to each one.
Trailhead Steward and Patrol programs are closed to new volunteers. Training was held April 8th. You are welcome to shadow and support us at the trailheads. Both NH Outdoor Council and NH Fish and Game have been very impressed with our ability to deliver. If you're familiar with the PSAR (preventative SAR) out west, the Trailhead steward and patrol mission is identical in most ways.
Here are some other interesting discoveries.
Trail/Shelter/Tentsite Adopters
My digging has also left me fairly shocked yet not surprised at how many trails and back country shelters and tentsites have no regular attention by an Adopter. Last year, I took a group of 12 MeetUp folks out and we made short work of a 2.5 mile trail spring maintenance drill. These folks don't want to "own" anything. They just want to "show and go". I am toying with the idea of taking more trails and doing a work day. We have over 50 orphaned trails and as many back country shelters and tent sites. Thoughts?
Wildlife Biology Assistants
This is a gem. It's been sitting around for a long time. They get an intern now and then, but there is vastly more work that should be getting done that isn't. Work includes monitoring wildlife, surveys, pruning and releasing bird food sources, plant control with hand tools, monitoring fish and fish habitat, Mapping permanent wildlife opening with a GPS, clearing fire lines.
Facilities Maintenance
This is another one of those ugly ducklings that never gets advertised. Buildings, gates, signs, you name it. The FS staff never gets to it all.
Front Country Patrol
Tool around in a FS truck, inspecting, cleaning, repairing, engaging the public, reporting back issues from roadside areas such as trailheads, parking lots, etc.
Admin work
Prefer desk work? There is a ton of admin chores, from managing Facebook Pages, to copying manuals, designing documents, provide a continuity of ongoing communications between volunteers and staff. Doing analysis of data collected throughout the season, answering phones, collecting and reporting out on data sets. Off season and peak season.
The FS is working on a more flexible, scalable way to get these and other opportunities posted quickly. While we have a FS volunteer web page, FS web pages are slow to be updated. Until that comes, here is a web page I've created http://www.iabsi.com/public/ski/WMNF.html which is updated near-daily.
Mix and Match
Like to do more than one activity? Go for it, pick another one. Just be certain you have the time to fully devote to each one.
Trailhead Steward and Patrol programs are closed to new volunteers. Training was held April 8th. You are welcome to shadow and support us at the trailheads. Both NH Outdoor Council and NH Fish and Game have been very impressed with our ability to deliver. If you're familiar with the PSAR (preventative SAR) out west, the Trailhead steward and patrol mission is identical in most ways.