Thursday, May 31, 2012

Mount Rainier National Park Associates Trails Work Party, Saturday, June 16th!

Greetings,
 

The next Mount Rainier National Park Associates trails work party will be on Saturday, June 16th.  That's a little over two weeks away.  I do not know what the project will be yet.  I will email you the details of the project and where we will meet as soon as I get it from my NPS trails contact.  Whatever the project, we will meet at about 8:30 AM and be ready to move out by 9:00 AM.
 
When you enter Mount Rainier National Park, tell the attendant at the gate that you will be working on a volunteer project.  Volunteers enter the park for free.  Be prepared for a hike to the work site.  As always, bring your lunch and plenty of fluids to drink, work gloves and safety glasses, and a full set of rain gear.  
 
If you plan to attend this June 16th trails work party, please reply to this email indicating that you are coming and give me the number of volunteers you expect to accompany you.  I need an estimate of the number of volunteers so that Park staff can be sure to have enough tools for us all.  
 
 
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, MRNPA has 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.
 
John Titland
Volunteer Coordinator
Mount Rainier National Park Associates

Report on the May 19th Trails Work Party

On May 19 th , 2012 MRNPA volunteers worked on the Boundary Trail at the Carbon River Entrance.  The Boundary Trail begins at the back of the Rainforest Nature Trail loop and climbs steeply to Alki Crest.  It is a popular early season hike because it is usually snow free and climbs steeply enough to be a good conditioning hike.  Until about 5 years ago the Boundary Trail had not been maintained and consequently it needs maintenance and repair in many places.

The project for MRNPA volunteers was to remove downed trees, old rotten wood, and soil that blocked two different switchbacks, re-establish the correct trail alignments, and to reconstruct the trail tread at the switchbacks.  The work location was approximately three quarters of a mile uphill from the trailhead.

A crew of eleven MRNPA volunteers and one Mount Rainier trail crew member, James Montgomery, split up and attacked the two trail blockages, cutting, digging, dragging, and pitching tons of wood and dirt.  By lunch time everyone was please by the progress being made.  After lunch the clearing was completed and rebuilding the trail began.  By 3 PM the two projects were complete, and the difference between before and after was spectacular. (See the photos below.)  

If you are looking for a good early season conditioning hike, take a trip up the Boundary Trail at the Carbon River Entrance, and see the great work that the Mount Rainier trail crew, and volunteers from Mount Rainier National Park Associates and Washington Trails Association have done in repairing this old trail and making it safe and usable for park visitors.


Boundary Trail,  May 19 th ,  Before clearing the switchback began


Boundary Trail,   May 19 th ,  Trail reconstruction complete

Washington Trails Association Plans for Another Great Summer Helping Mount Rainier!

      Yesterday, Kevin and I had the chance to sit down with the Executive Director of the Washington Trails Association, Karen Daubert, to discuss this years upcoming volunteer projects they will be leading. Their partnership has meant so much to Mount Rainier National Park in recent years, with their continual efforts in keeping Mount Rainier’s trails beautiful! They have led a total of 314 days of volunteer trail maintenance projects over the last five years, and have another 68 days planned for this summer! Their contributions are irreplaceable to our park.
      This Saturday, June 2nd, is National Trails Day! WTA will be working on the West Boundary Trail. Last year, WTA crews worked on this trail by removing downed logs, repairing tread and other maintenance needs. This Saturday, they will work on restoring the trail back to good hiking conditions. While spaces are full for this work party, I will be in attendance and will be sure to let you know all about the progress made on the trail and all the fun we’ll have!
      Upcoming events with WTA include extensive work on the Comet Falls Trail! You will find WTA opportunities to work on the Comet Falls Trail throughout the month of June: every Friday, Saturday and Sunday between June 8th and June 24th! Come for one or come for them all, stay for the weekend and utilize the Longmire Volunteer Campground! On this trail, the crew will conduct regular maintenance and repair any damage done to the trail over the winter months. What a great opportunity to work on a trail that many claim holds the most beautiful waterfall in the park! 
      You can sign up for these work parties on the WTA website. Follow this link to view the different work party dates and assignments in more detail. Information on the work parties is only available three to four weeks before each trip, but there is a project every Friday, Saturday and Sunday during the summer! You can check for updates on future WTA projects using our volunteer calendar located at the top of this page or by visiting WTA's website using the link above.
      We hope you can make it out to help maintain our beautiful Mount Rainier trails!

CITO the Mountain 2012

On June 9th, members of Geocaching.com will again be working in the Longmire campground, erecting the NEW tents and removing debris from sites and the road. This is the sixth year this group has organized a "CITO" cleanup ("Cache in, trash out") in the Park. Our own Kevin Bacher (K2D2 in the caching world) spearheads the operation.

You do not need to be a geocacher to join the party; just RSVP to Kevin_Bacher@nps.gov. Anyone who wishes to be part of the efforts should arrive at the Longmire Community Building at 9 AM for a short briefing. We may even be done by lunchtime, with plenty of time to socialize afterwards. "Many hands make light work!"

More details can be found on the cache page at Geocaching.com:


CITO the Mountain 2012!

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Creating A Personal Volunteer History

With a large number of group projects on the roster for the summer, it seems like a good time to remind Volunteers that even though you participate in an activity organized by a group (MRNPA or WTA, for example), you have the option of having your hours credited to you as an individual. This is a particularly good idea if you plan on volunteering in the Park in other ways or as part of a different group. Don't worry, you will still be shown as a member of the group activity, but your hours are logged differently in our database.
In order to have your hours credited to you as an individual, you must fill out a Volunteer Agreement. If your coordinator cannot provide you with one, come by the Volunteer Program office in the Admin Building at Longmire to pick one up!

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Urgently Needed: Campground Hosts

In an exceptional set of circumstances, we find ourselves without Campground Hosts for both Cougar Rock and Ohanapecosh. If you feel you could fill this position, PLEASE contact Kevin Bacher at your earliest convenience (360) 569-6567 or fill out an application at Volunteer.gov.

Duties:
1) Answer visitor questions about the campground, the park, and the area.
2) Assist with registration and orientation of visitors.
3) Perform campground patrols when necessary.
4) Perform light maintenance duties in the campground such as picking up trash.
5) Support the reservation desk during lunch breaks or busy periods.
6) Document all volunteer work and submit record to supervisor at the end of each month.
7) Perform work in a safe manner at all times.

Qualifications:
1) Ability to read, write, and follow directions in English.
2) Ability to walk for a minimum of three miles, if needed, to check campsite availability.
3) Ability to work with large numbers of campers under potentially stressful conditions such as busy shifts at the ranger station or visitors with complaints.
4) Must possess a valid driver’s license if authorized to drive a government vehicle.

Time Commitment:
Minimum of 32 hours per week. Hosts are needed through Columbus Day, but partial seasons are fine. We are open to the possibility of local people working shifts of a few days a week until the position can be filled.

Training:
Volunteer will participate in park orientation session, safety training, and on-the-job training as applicable and as assigned by the supervisor.

Benefits:
1) Campsite with hookups for power, water, and sewage.
2) Waiver of park entrance fees.
3) Reimbursement of some expenses.
4) Coverage for tort liability and on-the-job injury through the VIP program.

Friday, May 25, 2012

Starbucks Grant

For the past several years, Starbucks employees have organized and participated in trail maintenance projects in the Park. Under their guidelines, they are permitted to request a grant to a non-profit organization after contributing a specified number of volunteer hours working with that group. Starbucks requested just such a grant and it was approved. They contributed $2500 to the Washington National Park Fund which will be used for projects within Mount Rainier National Park.

The Starbucks folks will be on the trails on August 10-11, so look for them and give them a big "thank you!"

Volunteers in the Campground

Photo credit: Petrina Crow Vecchio
Some of the sites in the Volunteer campground are already occupied, but these seasonal residents won't mind sharing as long as you are considerate of them. Particularly alongside the stream, the Calypso Orchids have been blooming for the last two weeks. Calypso bulbosa is particularly delicate. It relies on its flower to complete the photosynthetic process, and if the stalk is broken, the root of the parent plant may die. Volunteers who are staying in the campground should keep their eyes open for this tiny beauty.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Interpretive Training 2012

If you are an active or incoming volunteer, you may want to attend any or all of the Interpretive Training sessions which will be offered from May 29 through June 9. Topics will range from a basic introduction into interpretation to the division's goals and objectives, from geology to natural history, from junior ranger programs to climate change. A full course schedule may be found at 2012 Summer Interpretive Training Schedule - Summer of Traditions (.pdf file). Please note that you must be a current volunteer or be committed to an assignment (e.g., new Meadow Rover, Curation Assistant, etc.) in order to attend. Please RSVP to Kevin Bacher as space is limited.

The May 29 session is limited to staff and full-time volunteers; sessions on June 8 and 9 are limited to staff only. Persons wishing to attend the Geology session on Wednesday June 6 should note that it is a field trip and they must bring their own vehicle. Bring a lunch and snacks!

Monday, May 21, 2012

Reimagining Service

The National Park Service has been selected by Reimagining Service as a strong example for incorporating volunteerism into its mission and function, and for exploring new ways to address the challenges and opportunities of volunteer engagement.

The Principles established by the Reimagining Service coalition are as follows:

Principle 1: The volunteer ecosystem is more effective when all sectors participate in its evolution. Volunteerism doesn’t exist in a single sector and the responsibility of successful volunteer engagement resides beyond nonprofits alone. We are interdependent when it comes to this work and together we can increase the impact of volunteerism by working to improve the system across all sectors (i.e., nonprofit, private, faith-based, education, government).

Principle 2: Make volunteering a core strategic function, not an add-on. Volunteers fundamentally increase our ability to achieve our objectives and advance the social mission of our organizations. Engaging volunteers effectively can help an organization serve more people in the community as well as change the core economics of an organization, which can allow it to scale more quickly in a cost effective way.

Principle 3: Focus volunteer engagement on true community needs. Rather than responding to the supply of volunteers, identify key priorities in the community then purposefully seek out volunteers with the core skills needed to address those priorities. We should also strive to communicate the value of volunteers to the community by measuring their impact, not just the hours they serve.

Principle 4: In order to get a return, you have to invest. Organizations that make volunteers central to their work and manage them well are able to generate as much as three to six times the community value from volunteers as the cost to manage them. This is a smart way to maximize impact, but it requires upfront and ongoing financial investment in volunteer engagement in all sectors. And we need funders, who believe that funding volunteer engagement helps organizations achieve their broader social missions, to raise their voices so that the funding community can learn from their stories.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Volunteers In America

Who are our volunteers? According to Volunteering in America, the rate of volunteerism tends to be higher when participants are teenagers rather than in early adulthood. Volunteer participation is lowest in the 20-24 year age group. It picks up again from that point and swells to its peak with participants from 35-44 years of age. Later in life, fewer people serve as volunteers, but they tend to contribute more hours each year per individual.

Volunteers meet crucial needs in a variety of fields. Millions devoted their time to youth mentoring, tutoring and teaching. Others donated their time and efforts to fund-raising, food service and physical labor.

In 2010, volunteers contributed 8.1 billion hours in the United States, a value estimated to be close to $173 billion! As budget challenges increase, the time contributed by volunteers takes on a greater importance in many organizations. Over 60 percent of the people who volunteered in 2009 returned to volunteer again in 2010.

Research shows that strategies aimed at enriching the volunteer experience all influenced whether volunteers returned to their jobs the following year. Those organizations which recognized their volunteers, trained them, offered them opportunities to advance professionally and matched their volunteers' skills to the tasks at hand had higher numbers of returning volunteers.

Washington ranks 11th among the states for its rate of volunteerism with 1.7 million people contributing 218.9 million hours of service in 2010. That's 42.2 hours per resident! Aren't you proud to be one of them?

Saturday, May 19, 2012

The History of the NPS

The National Park Service (NPS) is an organization with a rich heritage, filling an important place in U.S. history. If you are interested in learning more about the ideas behind the formation of the National Park Service, the people who supplied those ideas and the laws which shaped the NPS, you might enjoy this course from Eppley. It is available to both paid employees and volunteers.

The History of the NPS

The course explains the significance of major events in the history of the National Park Service, and touches on the key points of the Organic Act and the NPS Mission Statement. Check it out!

Friday, May 18, 2012

Science Learning Network Grants

Mount Rainier National Park was recently awarded two grants from the Science Learning Network for two projects, both of which utilize members of our volunteer team. Thank you, SLN!
LiDAR mapping is slated to go forward at Carbon River to assess geohazards, gathering data from approximately 20 square kilometers. This data will be put to use to characterize sediment transport in the river basin, demonstrating the landscape response to climate change and providing clues as to the best ways to manage the area.

Butterflies are sensitive indicators of climate change. Our Butterfly Crew conducts several species censuses in specific transects in the Park during the summer months. The grant from SLN will be used to obtain a GSA van and miscellaneous supplies for this project.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Recruiting for Maintenance Response Team

After 27 years of service in a variety of positions, Clyde and Lois Ambacher retired, leaving vacant their positions on the Maintenance Response Team. Cumulatively, the couple had logged 15,436 hours since they started volunteering in 1985. Those are some mighty big shoes to step into, but they need filling. Mount Rainier National Park is looking to "recruit new Ambachers" (per the amusing note on my desk this morning) to the position.

As part of the Maintenance Response Team, volunteers will provide support for the Maintenance Division at Longmire. Duties will include general maintenance such as litter pickup, weeding and watering, and "handyman" repair work. The assignment may also include service as backup to staff members in the Wilderness Information Center and at the Museum. If you are interested in applying, please fill out an application at Volunteer.gov (key words "Maintenance Response Team").

First Washington Trails Association project of the year posted!

Mount Rainier National Park is pleased to welcome back the Washington Trails Association for another year of partnership in building and maintaining trails. WTA has been a key partner for a long time, but never more so  than in the years following the devastating floods of November 2006. Since 2009, around 500 volunteers per year have worked under WTA's leadership to rebuild the Glacier Basin Trail and others around the park. The reconstructed Glacier Basin Trail reopened last summer, but a great deal of work still remains -- finishing repairs to the flood-damaged Wonderland Trail near Carbon Glacier, converting the flood-damaged Carbon River Road to a hiking and biking trail, and simply catching up on all of the year-to-year maintenance that has been deferred for five years while we've been doing flood recovery.

As in previous years, WTA will be leading trail projects throughout the park every weekend throughout the summer. Opening day will be National Trails Day, Saturday, June 2, 2012, on the West Boundary Trail near the Carbon River Entrance at Mount Rainier National Park. WTA's listing on their website says "We'll work on restoring this trail back to good hiking condition. Last year we worked on removing downed logs, repairing the tread and other maintenance needs."

To sign up for this project -- or the others that will be advertised soon -- go to WTA's website at www.wta.org and click on "Trail Work Parties" under the "Volunteer" tab at the top. Or, go to this specific project at http://vols.wta.org/web/web.pl?sm+19495+WP for details and to sign up.

See you out on the trail!

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

A reminder about volunteer uniforms


You are a Volunteer, and you are understandably proud of your position. Depending on what role you fulfill, you may or may not be entitled to wear a uniform. Did you know that there are protocols for when and where you can wear your Park Service attire?

Just like a nurse's cap or a fireman's helmet, your uniform is not a costume. It is meant to be worn only when you are actively on duty as an official representative of the National Park Service.  Shirts and jackets with identifying insignia may be worn only when you are working or en route to or from work. These items should not be worn when you are hiking for personal pleasure in the Park or elsewhere, and they should never be treated as casual wear in the civilian sector.  However, if you have been issued a cap with the Volunteer insignia on it, you are allowed to wear it when you're off duty. You may not loan any portion of your uniform to another person who is not a volunteer for any reason. The only persons wearing a volunteer insignia in the park should be active volunteers.

Uniforms should be kept clean and neat, with trousers and shirts pressed. If your garments become worn or stained, contact the Volunteer office for a reissue. Remember, you are the face of your Park! Thank you all for representing us well!

Monday, May 14, 2012

May 19th MRNPA Trails Work Party


Greetings,

The next Mount Rainier National Park Associates trails work party will be on this coming Saturday, May 19th.  I just got the word from my NPS trail crew contact that we will be working to repair some switchbacks on the Boundary Trails at Carbon River.  The work site is about 3/4 mile from the road so be prepared for a short, uphill hike.  And be sure to bring your rain gear.  This beautiful weather can't last!

We will meet at the Carbon River Entrance.  Plan to arrive about 8:30 AM and be ready to move out by 9:00 AM.  I expect we will be back at the road by 3:30 PM.

If you plan to attend and have not yet contacted me, please reply to this email to indicate that you are coming and to tell me how many volunteers you are bringing with you.


John Titland
Volunteer Coordinator
Mount Rainier National Park Associates



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Saturday, May 12, 2012

National Park Family Day in Seattle May 19

Join Mount Rainier's outreach program, along with many others, on Saturday, May 19 in Seattle! Here's the posting on sponsor National Parks Conservation Association's website:

Date: May 19, 2012

Location: Rainier Community Center, 4600 38th Avenue S, Seattle, WA 98118

Description:

It has been said that the National Park System, which includes many of our nation’s most precious, revered and significant treasures, reflects who we are as a people and as a nation– that America’s spirit is reflected in the National Park System.
National Park Family Day is a FREE, family-friendly event that brings your northwest national parks to you!

This year’s event will be even bigger and better than before with a multitude of hands-on, kid-friendly activities. Park Rangers from Olympic, North Cascades, and Mt. Rainier National Parks will be on-hand for demos and to answer all your park questions. Local organizations will be on-site teaching families about the wonders, culture and history of our national and local parks, conservation, and wildlife.  Kids will also have the opportunity to become Family Day Jr. Rangers and win prizes!

EVENT SCHEDULE- Saturday, May 19th:
 
10:00AM- National Park Family Day Begins- Come Join the fun!
11:00AM- Wildlife encounter presented by the Woodland Park Zoo
 
Additional demos: Camping 101 demonstration, “Family Day in the Garden” with Seattle Tilth and more!
Gather your family and friends and head to the Rainier Community Center on Saturday, May 19th from 10am-4pm for this fun-filled day celebrating our National Parks and the outdoors!

Participating Groups:

  • Bike Works
  • EarthCorps
  • Green Trails Maps/NW Link
  • Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park
  • Mt. Baker- Snoqualmie National Forest
  • Mt. Rainier National Park
  • National Park Service
  • National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA)
  • National Wildlife Federation
  • North Cascades National Park
  • Olympic National Park
  • Outdoor Recreation Interagency Center (ORIC)
  • Puget Sound Energy
  • San Juan Island National Historical Park
  • Seattle Parks & Recreation
  • Seattle Tilth
  • Seward Park Audubon Center
  • Snoqualmie Tribes
  • Student Conservation Association
  • Washington Wild
  • Washington’s National Park Fund
  • Woodland Park Zoo
  • YMCA/BOLD/ Passages NW

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Volunteer Heroes

While the tasks generally assigned to Nordic Patrol are preventative in nature, this last winter members were presented with a more challenging and emotionally difficult season. Coordinated by the Washington Sky Touring Club, Nordic Patrol's duties normally include those of setting trail poles and making visitor contacts, working hand in hand with Law Enforcement Rangers to ensure Park visitors a safe experience. However, sometimes things go wrong despite our best efforts to prevent them.

Following Ranger Margaret Anderson's death, Nordic Patrol members were placed on stand-down for two weeks. Then on January 15, they were recalled to assist in a search for a missing snowshoer. They found not one but two who had not been reported missing! After spending two nights in a snow cave, the pair was escorted back to the safety and warmth of Jackson Visitor Center. The gentleman who was the object of the original search was later found alive and well, and Nordic Patrol returned to normal operations in February.

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Trails project coming up on May 19th

Greetings,

The second Mount Rainier National Park Associates trails work party for 2012 will be on Saturday, May 19th.  That's a little over two weeks away.  I do not know what the project will be yet.  Our trail crew leaders are still evaluating the winter damage and will give me the project information in about a week.  I will pass along the information about the project and where we will meet as soon as I get it.  Whatever the project is, we will meet at about 8:30 AM and be ready to move out by 9:00 AM.  When you enter Mount Rainier National Park, tell the attendant at the gate that you will be working on a volunteer project.  Volunteers enter the park for free.
 
Be prepared for a hike to the work site.  As always, bring your lunch and plenty of fluids to drink, work gloves and safety glasses, and a full set of rain gear.  During May it is common to have rain or wet snow falling at Mount Rainier, so bring some warm clothing too.

If you plan to attend this May 19th trails work party, please reply to this email indicating that you are coming and give me the number of volunteers you expect to accompany you.  I need an estimate of the number of volunteers so that Park staff can be sure to have enough tools for us all. 

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, MRNPA has 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.

John Titland
Volunteer Coordinator
Mount Rainier National Park Associates

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Mount Rainier Meadow Rover News: DATES and UPDATES

Greetings Meadow Rovers! We are writing to let you know of dates and updates that may be of interest.  Also, at the bottom of this note is a list of resources and contacts useful to Meadow Rovers.
– Curt Jacquot, Park Ranger-Interpretation, Bill Marsh, West Side Meadow Rover Coordinator

Dates

Spring is here and with it come thoughts of wildflowers waiting to be preserved by helpful humans like us!  To help promote that cause we are holding some gatherings that Meadow Rovers can attend:

May 5: Volunteer Brunch at Longmire Community Building. 10 AM to 12 PM.  RSVP to Kevin Bacher at Kevin_Bacher@nps.gov. Please bring a brunch item to share.  Basic table service is provided or bring your own.

Schedule:
10:00 AM: Say hello and get ready for brunch
10:30 AM: Potluck Brunch
11:00 AM: Presentation by Kevin Bacher about things happening in the park
11:30 AM: Questions and Answers

June 23: New Meadow Rover Training at the Longmire Community Building: 10 AM to 3 PM.  RSVP to: Mora_Meadow_Rovers@nps.gov.

June 24: Experienced Meadow Rover Training at the Longmire Community Building: 10 AM to 3 PM. RSVP to Mora_Meadow_Rovers@nps.gov. We are planning some new things for this training! Details to follow.

Updates

Updates on Personnel:
Returning this summer are our experienced and knowledgeable volunteer meadow rover coordinators.  Both Bill Marsh and Gayle Eads will be back for a second season!  Bill will be the west side rovers and Gayle will be working with east side rovers at Sunrise. Curt Jacquot will be the meadow rover supervisor on the west side of the park.  Filling in for Christine Czazasty on the east side will be former seasonal interpreter Todd Smith.  Todd is now a permanent employee with the park service. He is currently a supervisory ranger at Chamizal National Memorial in Texas.  He will be working on what the government calls a “detail.”  That means he is on loan from his position in Texas while we formally announce/fill the position vacated by Christine Czazasty.  Christine will be here briefly in May for a transition period before she returns to her new Chief of Interpretation position at Chaco Canyon National Historic Site.  Congratulations to Todd and Christine!  See contact information for staff at the end of the message.

Winter-Spring  Roving:
We had a good Winter/early Spring season with many snow rovers helping to make Paradise a safer place.  Winter rovers help with ranger guided snowshoe walks.  They also contact visitors regarding avalanche danger, “Keeping Wildlife Wild”, and they provide trail information.  From November through mid April over 30 rovers provided over 700 hours of service.  The rovers contacted over 2500 visitors!  Thanks to the Snow Rovers!

Training and Orientation for new rovers before group training on June 23?
Those interested in roving this spring that have not yet been trained can schedule an individual training and orientation session.  The individual must be willing to commit to eight hours of roving per month (May-June-July-August) in order to schedule an individual training/orientation.  Contact mora_meadow_rovers@nps.gov if you wish to schedule an individual training with our coordinator Bill Marsh. The session will last 3-4 hours.

New! Meadow Rover Awards:
This year we are introducing our Meadow Rover of the year awards.  Four rovers will be chosen as our outstanding rovers of the year.  Anyone can nominate (themselves or someone else). The judging criteria are: quantity of service, quality of service, mentorship, and innovation of service delivery. Rovers of the year will be selected by rover coordinators and supervisors. Winners share lunch with a park administrator or a hike with a park scientist! The deadline for submitting a nomination is September 7, 2012. The awards will be announced on October 1. No form is necessary.  Just submit descriptions of how the nominee fulfilled the criteria for the award. Send nomination by mail or email to Curt Jacquot, Mount Rainier National Park, 55210 238th Avenue east, Ashford, WA 98304; or email: curt_jacquot@nps.gov.

Resources and Contacts for Meadow Rovers

Training Opportunities and Information for Rovers:

Authority of the Resource Techniques:
http://74.91.226.186/Library/Environmental_Ethics/Authority_of_the_Resource_Wallace_Original.pdf

National Park Service Online Interpretive Training Classes:
http://eppley.org/elearning/interpretation-1

Foundations of Interpretation course is free.  Informal Visitor Contacts course is recommended. There is a discount code to lower fee based courses to $29.00. Contact mora_meadow_rovers@nps.gov to get the discount code.

Online Avalanche Training: http://www.avalanche.ca/cac/training/online-course
How to Read Topographic Maps: http://www.map-reading.com/intro.php

Orienteering Tutorials: http://www.learn-orienteering.org/old/
http://bsatroop14.com/outdoor/Compass-Maps/Orienteering_Activity_Guide.pdf

Using a GPS: http://www.map-reading.com/appendj.php
http://www.squidoo.com/GPS-basics-background
http://ww2.trimble.com/gps_tutorial/

Land Navigation without a GPS or Compass:
http://www.squidoo.com/alternative-navigation

Wildflowers of Mount Rainier web site by Donovan Tracy :
http://www.flowersofrainier.com/Index%20Enter/index.htm

Mount Rainier National Park Brochures:
http://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/brochures.htm

Contacts for Meadow Rovers

Primary Park Contact address for Meadow Rovers: Email:  MORA_Meadow_Rovers@nps.gov
Please be specific in your subject line (“Longmire campsite request,” Sunrise, Paradise, etc.).  It is best to use this address instead of contacting an individual who may be on leave or days off. We have someone assigned to check this email box daily.

Mount Rainier Volunteers Blog:
http://rainiervolunteers.blogspot.com  

Mount Rainier Volunteers Discussion Group.  A good spot to arrange rides or roving partners:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RainierVolunteers
Phone Numbers: (Primary contact for meadow roving questions is the email address: mora_meadow_rovers@nps.gov)

Title/Name/Email/Phone
West District Area Ranger: Curt Jacquot:  Curt_Jacquot@nps.gov 360-569-6577
East District Interpreter (acting): Todd Smith: (Beginning May 15): todd_smith@nps.gov: 360-569-6582
Volunteer Program Manager: Kevin Bacher: Kevin_Bacher@nps.gov 360-569-6567
West District Interpreter: Lee Snook: Lee_Snook@nps.gov 360-569-6576
Sunrise Lead Interpreter: Rebecca Roland, spring number: 360-569-6578. Beginning mid June: 360-569-6585
Paradise Meadow Rover Coordinator: Eugene “Bill” Marsh: Eugene_Marsh@partner.nps.gov
In Spring-Winter contact Bill at: 360-569-6578; Beginning in June contact Bill at: 360-569-6574
Sunrise Meadow Rover Coordinator (Summer only):  Gayle Eads: Gayle_Eads@partner.nps.gov
Phone: 360-569-6585

Building Phone Numbers:
Paradise Visitor Center: 360-569-6571
Longmire Museum: 360-569-6575
Ohanapecosh Visitor Center: 360-569-6581
Sunrise Visitor Center: 360-663-2425

To Arrange a free campsite when volunteering: please email mora_meadow_rovers@nps.gov with the date and camp (Longmire, White River) in your subject line.  Please email requests at least 1 week in advance.