September 2012 Volunteer Newsletter

Mount Rainier National Park Volunteer Newsletter

September 2012

Restoration Crew and MRNPA Work Party September 8, 2012, THIS SATURDAY!

The annual Mount Rainier National Park Associates meadow revegetation work party will be Saturday, September  8th.  If you do not sign up through MRNPA, please know that walk-ons are accepted! MRNPA volunteers will again be assisting the Mount Rainier ecological restoration crew in planting wildflower seedlings, working to convert a historic campground near Sunrise back into alpine meadows.  Will Arneson, the NPS crew supervisor, tells me that there will be approximately 55,000 seedlings to be planted this fall before the snow covers the meadows.  Saturday, September 8th, will be a big day in getting this effort started!

 

On the morning of Saturday, September 8th, MRNPA volunteers will meet in the Sunrise parking lot between 8:30 and 9:00 AM, please do not be late as it will be extremely difficult to find the group once they have left the parking lot!  As you arrive at Sunrise, look for a dark green Subaru Outback Wagon, parked on the far left (south) side of the parking lot surrounded by people who look like they know what is going on. That will be the MRNPA volunteers.  Please check in with John Titland as soon as you arrive if you are signed up through

 

Be prepared for almost any fall weather.  In the past we have experienced everything from warm and sunny days to a driving blizzard.  In addition to your sun hat, sunscreen, and your rain gear, bring a lunch, plenty of fluids to drink, gardening gloves, and a hand digging tool you like to use.  If you have no gardening tools, the NPS will provide small hand tools.  Most of the day you will be working on your hands and knees to do the planting, so you may want to bring a pad for your knees. The pads available at your local gardening retailer work great.  The work site is about a mile from the Sunrise parking lot so plan on carrying everything you need to and from the work site.

 

We normally work until at least 3 PM and will break for lunch at about at noon.  This is a great outing to share with your husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend and even your kids.  It is a beautiful location,  It is very instructive to see how much of the area has been replanted and how it is slowly returning to being a meadow.

There is no charge for volunteers to enter the Park.  When you enter at the White River Entrance, tell the gate attendant that you will be doing volunteer work on the meadow restoration project at Sunrise.   

If you have further questions about the work part, please feel free to contact Carrie Anders, Mount Rainier Volunteer Coordinator, at Carrie_Anders@partner.nps.gov.

Hope to see you there!

National Public Lands Day, Saturday, September 29^th!

National Public Lands Day is quickly approaching and plans are being finalized! We will be sending out a special email to our volunteers and volunteer groups as more information is available! We will be working out of Sunrise with the Restoration Crew planting around the area. Also, the park trail crew and WTA will be taking a few crews out on the East side to work on trails. We will meet at the White River Campground Saturday morning at 9:00 am. After a quick welcome and project assignments, we will head out to our designated projects! We hope you can help us celebrate our public lands!

WTA, What a season!

The Washington Trails Association has done tremendous work this year at Mount Rainier. We would like to thank all of the volunteers, WTA crew leader, and the members of the Mount Rainer trail crew who assisted in maintaining and beautifying our trails! There are still work parties throughout September working on the Skyline Trail and on the East side toward the end of the month. Check out their website for details and sign up information.

Thanks WTA, for all you do!

Meadow Rover Training, September 8, 2012!

The Mount Rainier National Park, Volunteer Meadow/Snow Rover Program is presenting our last and yet timely ‘Saturday Training Session’ of the Summer season this week with, "The New 10 Essentials and Beyond" .  

These classes have been specifically selected for their relevancy in order to provide the Meadow/Snow Rover with the information necessary to meet the essential elements of their position. It is the stated goal of this educational program to enhance Meadow/Snow Rover safety, knowledge, and the visitor contact experience. All of the classes will be presented by experts in the related topics.  

The weeks topic is:

Saturday 9/08/2012 - "The New Ten Essentials and Beyond" - Ed Hunds, Experienced Meadow Rover, Wilderness Preparedness Expert

Please join us for this timely class on what the modern, prepared wilderness traveler should always be carrying, as well as 'gear tips' on what will make the upcoming Winter season a safe and enjoyable experience.  Please be prepared to share your equipment suggestions and/or ideas.

  Logistics:

Location: Upstairs conference room of the Wilderness Information Center
Time: 10 AM to 11:30 PM  
Day: Saturday  
Date:  9/8/2012

The topic presented is geared to provide a Park relevant learning opportunity for ALL  MORA employees and volunteers. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend!!!  

RSVP required please! Please RSVP no later than the Thursday prior to each specific training session.

Please RSVP to: eugene_marsh@partner.nps.gov

Please join us for these free and highly informative classes! Also, please let me know if you have any relevant topics you would like to see covered.

Happy trails!

Bill Marsh =+)
West Side Meadow Rover Coordinator
Mount Rainier National Park
360-569-6574 eugene_marsh@partner.nps.gov  

SCA Intern in the Spotlight!

We would like to highlight a special intern this summer to help show how much the park relies on and appreciates our volunteers. The east side Backcountry Intern through the Student Conservation Association, Kris Youtz, was first on scene to an emergency call in the Glacier Basin area in the past month. He effectively and professionally assessed the situation, used his Wilderness First Responder training, contacted back up and assisted with the carry out. This is not the first time this season we have had out volunteers help in a SAR situation. We would like to show how much we value our volunteers at Mount Rainier. We appreciate every volunteer for their service and commitment to the park and treasure the relationships we have built with them! Thank you all!