Still more volunteer opportunities!

Updated 7/29/08 with Washington Trails Association opportunities and more detailed descriptions of projects

We've posted lots of new volunteer opportunities today! Here's a quick rundown of your choices for helping out at Mount Rainier over the next few weeks:

• July 29: Soundscape sherpa to Van Trump Park
  Carry supplies for future projects in to one of the most beautiful locations in Mount Rainier National Park!
• August 1, 2, and/or 3: White River Entrance trail repair with WTA
  Join the Washington Trails Association for trail repairs in the northeast quadrant of the park.
• August 3: Wildlife Rover training
  Help keep wildlife wild! We're looking for folks to stroll the campgrounds, picnic areas and pull-outs to inform visitors about the importance of not feeding wildlife. This issue has reached a critical stage at Mount Rainier, especially with this winter's snow pack that has forced wildlife down to lower elevations than usual. This training is presented by wildlife biologist Alyssa Herr.
• August 3: Discover Your Mount Rainier with NPCA
  Join the Northwest Regional Office of the National Parks Conservation Association for a closer look at Mount Rainier National Park. We’ll enjoy a ranger-led hike and discussion. This trip is open to NPCA members and potential members, but pre-registration is required.
• August 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and/or 10: Kautz Creek trail maintenance
  Join us as we work on the approaches to the new footlog over what used to be Kautz Creek. These steep banks are in the process of being stabilized and reworked to incorporate rock stairs. Learn the art of working with rock and hauling fill. Other projects include building check steps, replacing water bars, and improving tread and drainage.
• August 8: Advanced Meadow Rover training
  Join us for a session on wildflower ID, now that they're starting to show! We'll also discuss options for roving lower elevation trails and campgrounds, wildlife issues, and ongoing snow considerations.
• August 8, 9, or 10: White River Entrance trail repair with WTA
  Join the Washington Trails Association for trail repairs in the northeast quadrant of the park.
• August 9: Trail Work with MRNPA
  Each year Mount Rainier National Park Associates is proud to sponsor monthly work projects. The August project will be trail work. Visit the MRNPA website for more information.
• August 13-17: Backcountry! Dick Creek exotic plant control
  Come spend a few days in the backcounty helping to preserve native habitat. This 5-day project will be based at the Dick Creek backcountry campsite in the Carbon River area. Our work will consist of removing exotic plant species that threaten the native ground cover.
• August 15, 16, or 17: Glacier Basin Trail repair with WTA
  Help the Washington Trails Association rebuild the Glacier Basin Trail, which was destroyed by flooding in November 2006.
• August 16 and 30: Shadows of the Past historical interpretation
  Make history come alive! Shadows of the Past is an interactive performance that takes place along the Trail of Shadows in Longmire after nightfall. Park staff dress up in full costume as John Muir, James and Virinda Longmire, P.B. Van Trump, and other historical characters and address each tour group as they pass by, bringing park history to life. We need lantern carriers for this year's performance on August 16th. Better yet, if enough volunteers are interested, we'd like to be able to offer a repeat performance later in the season, perhaps the night of August 30. Due to limited budget, park staff are unable to offer the program more than once, but with your help we're hoping that we can do it again, with volunteers acting out the characters!
• August 19, 20, 21, and/or 22: Kelly Butte Trail repair with WTA
  Join the Washington Trails Association at Kelly Butte. Halfway between a "Volunteer Vacation" and a "Back Country Response," WTA will work and stay 4 days at Kelly Butte, establishing a switchback route up to the blueberry meadows. Volunteers can opt to spend the week, or join the team for a day or two.
• August 23: Revegetation Team drop-in project
  Come join the revegetation efforts in the park! This is a drop-in project, so come whenever you can and stay for however long you're able. The project is likely to be seed collection at a location yet to be determined.
• August 23 or 24: Glacier Basin Trail repair with WTA
  Help the Washington Trails Association rebuild the Glacier Basin Trail, which was destroyed by flooding in November 2006.
• August 26-30: Backcountry! Stevens Canyon Wonderland Trail reroute
  Spend a week in the backcounty building a new section of the Wonderland Trail. This 5-day project will be based near Maple Creek. Our work will consist of rerouting the section of the Wonderland Trail that washed away in the November 2006 flood. Projects will include corridor opening and tread construction, as well as building erosion control and slope stabilization structures.
• September 3: The Way In: The Future of Access to Northwest National Parks (presented by NPCA)
  The National Parks Conservation Association will co-host a panel discussion at the University of Washington with Congressman Jay Inslee on global climate change and how it will affect access to our national parks, especially Olympic, Mount Rainier, and North Cascades.
• September 6: Saturday planting at Paradise
  Come join the revegetation efforts at Paradise! Saturdays in September are devoted to native seedling planting at the Paradise construction sites and trampled meadow areas.
• September 6: Revegetation with MRNPA
  Each year Mount Rainier National Park Associates is proud to sponsor monthly work projects. The September project will be a revegetation project. Visit the MRNPA website for more information.
• September 7: Wilderness First Responder training
  Aerie's 72 hour Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course is designed for outdoor professionals and outdoor enthusiasts, preparing them to care for injuries and illness in remote, challenging environments. The course will be offered at a steep discount thanks to sponsorship by the Student Conservation Association and Boeing Corporation. Only a few more registrants are needed to guarantee this course will occur!
• September 13: More Saturday planting at Paradise
  Come join the revegetation efforts at Paradise! Saturdays in September are devoted to native seedling planting at the Paradise construction sites and trampled meadow areas.
• September 18-21: Backcountry! Stevens Canyon Wonderland Trail reroute
  A 4-day project similar to the one at the end of August.
• September 20: Reveg Team drop-in project
  Come join the revegetation efforts in the park! This is a drop-in project, so come whenever you can and stay for however long you're able. The project is likely to be native seedling planting at a location yet to be determined (possibly Paradise).
• September 27: National Trails Day National Public Lands Day
  Our annual volunteer project extravaganza, co-sponsored by the National Parks Conservation Association. Put it on your calendar, and watch for details coming soon!
• Seed Collectors needed!
  Read details at The News Tribune; see our formal project announcement; or contact park horticulturist Anine Smith to express your interest.
• Even more area activities
  The News Tribune now has a great map marking local volunteer opportunities, including ours! Check it out here.