The Cascades Butterfly Project needs you!
Get out into the beautiful mountains of North Cascades National Park, Mount Rainier National Park, and Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and help wildlife biologists identify and count alpine butterflies.
Mark your calendars for volunteer training:
When: Saturday, August 13th - 9am to 3pm
Where: Paradise Jackson Visitor Center
Participants will learn more about the project and the ecology of Cascades butterflies. The trainings will have two components: an hour-long classroom session, followed by a longer afternoon field excursion where we will practice field ID and scientific research protocols in subalpine meadows.
Volunteer training is highly recommended, but not mandatory for participation in the project.
You may read more about this exciting project by visiting the original post on our blog.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
New Volunteer Training Date for the Cascade Butterfly Project
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Boy Scouts’ ArrowCorps Volunteer Project Planned for Mount Rainier National Park and Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Mount Rainier National Park News Release
July 27, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts: Kevin Bacher (NPS), Kevin_Bacher@nps.gov, 360.569.6567
Denny Couglin (USFS), dcoughlin@fs.fed.us, 360.802.5311
Darla Sklar (BSA), dsklar@seattlebsa.org, 206.902.2353
On Sunday, July 31, about 100 Scouts from across the nation will arrive at Camp Sheppard to kick off ArrowCorps502, a service learning program developed by the Boy Scouts of America’s Chief Seattle Council, T’Kope Kwiskwis Lodge, in partnership with Mount Rainier National Park and Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.
Scouts of ArrowCorps502 will begin their week on Monday, August 1, with onsite Leave No Trace education before dispersing to their work locations within the shadow of Mount Rainier. Service projects within Mount Rainier National Park will focus on trail building and maintenance along the Crystal Lakes Trail in the Sunrise area, as well as converting the Ipsut Creek Campground to a backcountry campsite along the Carbon River. After three days of work participants will return to Camp Sheppard on Friday, August 5, for a closing jamboree.
In addition to giving volunteer service in Mount Rainier National Park and the surrounding National Forest, the goal of ArrowCorps502 is to provide participants with the opportunity to build their leadership experience, cultivate lifelong friendships, and enjoy firsthand the power and beauty of the mountain.
“We’re looking forward to seeing this program happen,” said Kevin Bacher, Volunteer and Outreach Program Manager at Mount Rainier National Park. “We’ve been working with Scouts from the Order of the Arrow for two years now, and they’ve done a fantastic job of putting this very complex program together.”
Randy King, Acting Superintendent at Mount Rainier National Park, said he looks forward to continue working with the Chief Seattle Council in the future. “We’ve built a good foundation for this to become a recurring partnership,” he said. “It’s exciting and important to see young people playing an active role in the stewardship of their national park.”
ArrowCorps502 is a partnership between the Boy Scouts of America and the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service. Students from The Evergreen State College will also assist with the program. The project is sponsored by grants from the Boy Scouts of America and the National Park Service’s Volunteers-in-Parks program, with significant contributions from REI, Inc. and Home Depot.
For more information regarding ArrowCorps502 or to follow daily updates during this highly anticipated event please visit http://www.arrowcorps502.org/ and RainierVolunteers.blogspot.com/.
Cascade Butterfly Project Volunteer Training POSTPONED
As you may have read on our blog this week, the Cascade Butterfly Project is seeking volunteers to work within Mount Rainier National Park!
Unfotunately due to a lingering heavy snowpack, the intial training (originally schedule for Thursday, July 28th) has been postponed. A new date volunteer training date is in the works though, so stay tuned to the Mount Rainier National Park blog!
In the meantime you may learn more about this exciting project by visiting http://www.nps.gov/mora/supportyourpark/upload/2011-07-12-Butterfly-NOCA-Resource-Brief-2011_v2.pdf.
You may also contact Jeff Anderson at 206-526-2574 (jeff_anderson@ncascades.org) or Mason Reid at 360-569-6771 (mason_reid@nps.gov).
Opportunity to Experience Sunrise Archaeology Dig
Mount Rainier has been used by Native American people for thousands of years. To better document the mountain’s archaeological record, Mount Rainier National Park is working with Central Washington University’s archaeology field school. Under the direction of Dr. Patrick McCutcheon, the field school will be conducting an excavation in the Sunrise area to improve our understanding of the long-term human use of Mount Rainier’s higher elevation landscapes.
Volunteers will get a guided tour of the site and have the opportunity to shadow a field school student working on the excavation. Volunteers will join in the daily operations, assisting with sieving excavated sediments, carrying soil and measuring sediment volume. Participants will also have the opportunity to discover and learn about the artifacts and their uses.
Opportunities are available on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8:00 am to 11:30 am during the first three weeks in August. The number of participants is limited each day to six people ages 16 and above. Reservations may be made in person at the Sunrise Visitor Center or by calling 360-663-2425.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Volunteers Needed for the Cascade Butterfly Project
The Cascades Butterfly Project needs you! Get out into the beautiful mountains of North Cascades National Park, Mount Rainier National Park, and Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and help wildlife biologists identify and count alpine butterflies.
Alpine meadows in these two National Parks are expected to shrink dramatically due to the effects of climate change, but as of now, the rate and magnitude of this change is unknown. Butterflies make ideal indicator species because they are particularly sensitive to climatic changes, and are relatively easy to identify in the field by scientists and volunteers alike. So come for a hike in some of the Northwest’s most scenic alpine meadows and help contribute to this important research!
Volunteer Training:
We will be holding a volunteer training in which participants will learn more about the project and the ecology of Cascades butterflies. The trainings will have two components: an hour-long classroom session, followed by a longer afternoon field excursion where we will practice field ID and scientific research protocols in subalpine meadows.
Volunteer training is highly recommended, but not mandatory for participation in the project.
THIS TRAINING HAS BEEN POSTPONED - A NEW DATE WILL BE POSTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
July 28, 2011- Mt. Rainier National Park
Training will run from 9:00am to 3:00pm
Paradise Jackson Visitor Center
For more information please visit http://www.nps.gov/mora/supportyourpark/upload/2011-07-12-Butterfly-NOCA-Resource-Brief-2011_v2.pdfor contact Mason Reid at 360-569-6771 or mason_reid@nps.gov
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Keep Wildlife Wild - Saturday, August 6th
The day will be celebrated with a number of short educational programs in the Paradise area. Interpretive rangers and biologists will present talks on native wildlife throughout the day. Activities will be provided for children to explore the interesting world of wildlife through artistic expression.
In the morning at the Paradise Inn, U.S. Forest Service research biologist Keith Aubry will present his findings on The Cascade Red Fox: Washington’s Unique and Little-known Carnivore.
Throughout the day Officer Bruce Richards from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife will demonstrate black bear conflict management as a handler for the Karelian Bear Dog Program.
Interpretive Teacher Ranger Kirsten Anderson will give an educational presentation on the wildlife of the Park.
Former Chief Naturalist and local wildlife artist Dale Thompson will be painting in the lobby of the Paradise Inn and sharing his stories and experiences of responsible wildlife viewing.
An educational display by Mount Rainier’s Wildlife Biologist Ellen Myers and wildlife themed craft activities hosted by the Education Department will be available for children.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Volunteers Leading the Star Party and Night Skies Program
Ever wanted to learn more about the stars that blanket our night sky? Volunteers from the Tacoma Astronomy Society will be hosting a Star Party and Night Skies Program this Friday, July 22nd!
Read the official NPS press release listed below for more information.
Star Party and Night Skies Program
Where: Paradise
When: 9:00 PM, Friday July 22, 2011
Families and individuals of all ages are invited to the Paradise area of Mount Rainier National Park for a special program on Friday, July 22.. The event starts at 9:00 PM in the lobby of the Paradise Inn with a short presentation about the National Park Service “Night Skies” program. The National Park Service has come to embrace night skies as one of the many scenic vistas the agency is a steward of. It is essential to keeping a park whole and touches on almost every aspect that is important to us - from sustainability to stargazers, and animals to ancient ruins.
At 9:45 PM there will be outdoor star gazing in front of the Paradise Jackson Visitor Center with Tacoma Astronomical Society (TAS) volunteers and their telescopes. Astronomy Society volunteers will also assist with special children's astronomy activities. All ages will be able to make astronomy devices called "star finders."
If weather makes star gazing difficult, the party will move inside the Paradise Inn lobby for star finder making and a 45-minute film about the Milky Way galaxy.
If you have questions please contact Park Ranger Curt Jacquot at (360) 569-2211, extension 6577.
Information about the Tacoma Astronomy Society is found online at: http://www.tas-online.org/
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
MRNPA Trail Work Party - August 13th
The next Mount Rainier National Park Associates trails work party will be Saturday, August 13th. We will be working in the Longmire area, possibly on the Wonderland Trail north of Longmire or possibly on the Comet Falls Trail. The exact location will be determined some time closer to the August 13th date. Regardless of the work location, we will meet at the upper end of the Longmire parking lot, near the museum, at 8:30 AM on Saturday morning, and be ready to move out at 9:00 AM.
Bring work gloves, a hard hat if you have one, safety glasses, full rain gear (you never know if you will need it), your lunch, and PLENTY of fluids to drink.
If you plan to attend this work party, please reply to this email and tell me that you are coming, how many volunteers you are bringing with you. I need an estimate of the number of volunteers so that Park staff can be sure to have enough tools for us all. If you have a hard hat you will be wearing, please tell me that too.
The August work party is always followed by a potluck dinner in the campground and an overnight camp for those who wish to stay. It's a fun event, so plan on staying for potluck dinner even if you don't want to camp. Sunday we try to do a short hike together.
We have a reservations for the group campsites at the Longmire VIP campground (not the Cougar Rock campground) for both Friday night, August 12th, and Saturday night, August 13th. The camping is free for MRNPA volunteers. We will also hold the potluck dinner at the Longmire VIP Campground. If you are going to camp either or both nights, also please tell me the nights you intend to camp when you when you reply to this email telling me that you are coming. I need to assure that we have sufficient tent sites reserved.
There are safety equipment requirements for all MRNPA trail work volunteers. (These rules apply to all trail workers.) Anyone using an aggressive tool - like a Pulaski, ax, shovel, etc. - or anyone working near them - is required to wear a hard hat and safety glasses. People working with or near a less aggressive tools are not required (but will be encouraged) to wear a hard hat. If you own a hard hat that you can wear, please bring it. If you do not have a hard hat, we have hard hats that we loan for the day.
Wearing safety glasses is encouraged at all times. Not all safety glasses are comfortable for everyone and some will not fit over eye glasses. Because of cleanliness issues, some people don't like wearing safety glasses that have been worn by other people. For these reasons, and probably many others, please purchase (acquire, find, dig-up, whatever) a pair of personal safety glasses that you will wear. The local hardware store is a good place to start shopping. A serviceable pair or safety glasses will cost about $10. And be advised that shatterproof eye glasses do not meet the requirement for safety glasses. Safety glasses all have side protection which eyeglasses do not.
For more details abou this event or to RSVP for this visit http://mrnpa.org/workprojectdetails.php.
Sincerely,
John Titland
Volunteer Coordinator
Mount Rainier National Park Associates
Friday, July 15, 2011
Mount Rainier National Park Volunteer Newsletter: July 2011
Summer is here at Mount Rainier National Park and volunteer projects are starting kicking off as the snow continues to rapidly melt away. No matter what type of volunteering you are interested in, long term vs. short term, individual or group, backcountry or front country, we have many opportunities for you to help protect the beautiful natural and cultural resources of Mount Rainier National Park and to help serve its visitors.
Along with a multitude of volunteer projects happening this summer, we have many partner projects in the works as well. You can read more about upcoming events and projects Mount Rainier National Park’s Volunteer Blog.
Check out the link at the top of this blog for a calendar of activities and full details on our summer volunteer schedule, including upcoming training opportunities.
In addition, the Washington Trails Association (WTA) and the Mount Rainier National Park Associates (MRNPA) are two partner organizations that schedule day long projects and even week long vacations.
Annual Volunteer PotluckWhen: August 13th (Saturday) at 4pm
Where: Longmire Community BuildingYou've worked hard all year long volunteering thousands of hours on your feet, sometimes on your hands and knees, through meadows, forests, rain, snow, occasionally sunshine and all on your free time. Now it's time to pat each other on the back, swap stories, and celebrate all your work over the past year.
Please plan on bringing a dish to share to the Longmire Community Building August 13th, 2011 at 4:00pm. Utencils and plates will be provided.We will also be putting together a slide show presentation to highlight all the accomplishments of our fantastic VIPs since last August and we would love to include some of YOUR best photos showing your volunteer experiences at Mount Rainier. Please send them to Jim Ross (Jim_Ross@nps.gov).
Washington Trails Association Projects
July 1 - WTA Work Party at Glacier Basin Trail
July 2 – WTA Work Party at Glacier Basin Trail
July 3 – WTA Work Party at Glacier Basin Trail
July 8 – WTA Trail Work Party at Glacier Basin Trail
July 9 – WTA Trail Work Party at Glacier Basin Trail
July 10 – WTA Trail Work Party at Glacier Basin Trail
July 15 – WTA Trail Work Party at Glacier Basin Trail
July 16 – WTA Trail Work Party at Glacier Basin Trail
July 17 – WTA Trail Work Party at Glacier Basin Trail
July 22 – WTA Trail Work Party at Glacier Basin Trail
July 23 – WTA Trail Work Party at Glacier Basin Trail
July 24 – WTA Trail Work Party at Glacier Basin Trail
Additional projects will be added to WTA’s calendar on a weekly basis throughout the summer. Most projects happen on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through Labor Day.
Contact MRNPA through their website for details and to register for these projects:
August 13 – Trail Maintenance/CampoutSeptember 10 – Re-vegetation
October 1 – Project TBD
Event Volunteer Opportunities
We have several dates scheduled for drop-in projects, with more being planned:August 6 – Keep Wildlife Wild:
Mount Rainier National Park will host its third annual Keep Wildlife Wild event on August 6th in an effort to educate visitors on their impacts on wildlife. The day will focus on wildlife protection and education to keep Mount Rainier’s wildlife wild.
More information on the “Keep Wildlife Wild” program can be found at http://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/keep-wildlife-wild.htm.
If you have questions or would like to volunteer, please contact Sarah Yates at 360-569-6774, Sarah_Yates@nps.gov.
September 24 – National Public Lands Day:Every year on the last Saturday of September, Mount Rainier brings its summer volunteer program to a close with a massive volunteer day, offering volunteer opportunities throughout the park including trail maintenance and re-vegetation. Watch the blog for further announcements, but put the date on your calendar!
Group Projects
Here are some options:
Native Plant Restoration:Our re-vegetation crews will be welcoming drop in volunteers at the old Sunrise campground on September 10th and 17th. Groups of almost unlimited size are welcome to help, either for single days or multiple day stretches. Contact Will Arnesen at 360-569-6762 to arrange a date for your group.
Longmire Campground Setup:The historic Longmire Campground is in full swing for the season. An unexpected delay kept us from setting up the infamous platform tents earlier last month, but now we are ready! We need an enthusiastic group of volunteers to spend half a day setting up the canvas tents. For more information contact Patti Poulin at 360-569-6588 or patricia_poulin@partner.nps.gov.
Attractants Assessment:Mount Rainier National Park wants to evaluate its efforts at keeping human attractants away from wildlife. Annually, crews walk through the campgrounds of the park and document use of the campsites and whether items of concern (e.g. coolers, dishes, etc.) are left out where wildlife can get to them. By monitoring campgrounds, we can see how effective our educational efforts are, and where we might improve our attractant management program.Volunteers are needed to walk through the campgrounds, documenting whether each campsite is used, and what types, if any, of attractants may be left unsecured from wildlife access. The volunteer would complete specific data forms, and would have the option of providing an educational message if contacted.
Each of the four campgrounds (Cougar Rock, Ohanapecosh, White River, Mowich Lake) need surveying on a periodic (e.g. monthly) basis, July to Sept. One person can survey a campground in a couple of hours, but working in pairs or small groups might be preferred. For more information please contact Mason Reid at 360-569-6771 or Mason_Reid@nps.gov.More projects are in the works, so even if you don't see something of interest to you here, give us a call (360-569-6588) and let us connect your group with a project that will make a real difference at Mount Rainier National Park!
Individual OpeningsInterested in volunteering for a longer period of time, or return regularly throughout the summer to help with extended projects? We have many opportunities to choose from! Follow these links for details and to apply for any project that interests you:
Meadow Rover: Help us protect the subalpine meadows above Paradise and Sunrise by patrolling trails and educating visitors about the importance of staying on trails.
Plant Propagation (Greenhouse Assistant): Help grow plants for transplanting in the subalpine meadows.
Citizen Science Team: Survey frogs, salamanders, and other species in the park's backcountry!
Resources
We are consistently updating our blog with all the latest information and opportunities to volunteer at Mount Rainier. If you would like to get involved in any of the programs you have read about it this newsletter get in touch with either Patti Poulin (360.569.6588 or patricia_poulin@partner.nps.gov) or Kevin Bacher (360.569.6567 or kevin_bacher@nps.gov).
Thanks for your support of Mount Rainier and we look forward to working with you this summer!Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Sunrise Meadow Rovers Update
The Sunrise Visitor Center opened on July 8th with an impressive set of new exhibits and building improvements. The official Opening is Thursday, July 14th.
In the Sunrise area, meltout has started and the first pasqueflowers and glacier lilies are blooming. What a treat !!
Ten experienced Meadow Rovers marked trails and made contact with about 150 visitors this past weekend. New Meadow Rovers are expected July 16th and 17th. I hope to pair them up with some experienced Rovers for their initial day. Park attendance will increase as the snow melts and more flowers bloom, so make plans to ROVE the Mountain soon.
Gayle Eads [Sunrise computers currently down, so to contact me phone the Visitor Center: 360-569-6585] - Meadow Rover Coordinator, Sunrise
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Volunteers represent Mount Rainier in 4th of July Parade
This 4th of July, seven volunteers and family members joined six rangers to represent Mount Rainier National Park in the Eatonville Independence Day parade. Along with Lee Snook, Jim and Kevin Ross, Kevin Bacher, Dave Uberuaga, and Randy King, participants included Meadow Rovers Ed Hunds and Allan Dreyer; Dave's wife Barbara; Randy's wife Sally; and junior rangers Kate, Daniel, and Christian.
Besides showing pride for the park on a day when The Mountain was gloriously visible, this year's group also carried banners on both sides of a park patrol vehicle wishing Dave and Barbara Uberuaga farewell as they move later this month "from the top of The Mountain to the bottom of The Canyon." Uberuaga has been selected as the new superintendent of Grand Canyon National Park.
Thank you to everyone who came out to represent Mount Rainier's role in the community!
More photos from the parade can be seen here.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
The 3rd Annual Keep Wildlife Wild - Volunteers Needed!
Mount Rainier National Park will host its third annual Keep Wildlife Wild event on August 6th in an effort to educate visitors on their impacts on wildlife. The day will focus on wildlife protection and education to keep Mount Rainier’s wildlife wild.
Volunteers are needed to hand out information on wildlife feeding and patrol areas of high visitor use. Volunteers will be asked to man kiosks in groups while talking to visitors and providing information on park wildlife and the dangers of wildlife feeding. Additionally, volunteers will be asked to haze animals that are approaching visitors to beg for food. Active hazing will keep wildlife from obtaining food and set an example for those people who may be tempted to feed.An orientation will be provided the morning of the event and a review of the day will follow with pizza.
Volunteers will be provided a T-shirt and hat to wear, and camping may be available for either Friday or Saturday nights with prior notice.
If you have questions or would like to volunteer, please contact Sarah Yates at 360-569-6774, Sarah_Yates@nps.gov.
More information on the “Keep Wildlife Wild” program can be found at http://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/keep-wildlife-wild.htm.
