Mount Rainier August Volunteer Newsletter

August Mount Rainier Volunteer Newsletter

What this Newsletter Covers:

a.      Volunteer Picnic Potlucks!

b.      MRNPA Trail Work Party and Potluck

c.       WTA Comet Falls Wrap Up

d.      Longmire Volunteer Campground Reminder

e.      Ongoing Glacier Survey Volunteer Opportunities

f.        Puyallup Fair: Volunteers Needed

g.      Shadows of the Past: Come and enjoy, come and Volunteer!

h.      Keep Wildlife Wild Volunteer Opportunity

i.        NEW Meadow Rover Training Announced!

j.        Cascades Butterfly Project seeks butterflies, volunteers

Volunteer Picnic Potlucks!

It is that time of year again to come together and celebrate the hard work and dedication of our excellent volunteers! We will be having, for the first year ever, two volunteer potlucks to accommodate the East siders and west siders. This Saturday, August 11^th, we will be having our West side potluck picnic at the Longmire Community Building starting at 4:00 pm. Some beverages will be provided. Bring a dish to share. Earlier in the day, you will have the chance to volunteer with MRNPA or WTA on their work parties, so sign up soon! If you have any questions about the west side potluck picnic, please direct them to Carrie Anders at Carrie_Anders@partner.nps.gov.

Next weekend, on Sunday, August 19^th, the East side volunteers will be having their picnic potluck at the Sunrise Picnic Area in the northwest corner. It will go from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. Bring with you a buddy, a beverage, a grill item or a dish to share! We are in need of a grill or two. If you are able to contribute or have any questions, please contact Gayle Eads at gayle.s.eads@gmail.com, our East Side Meadow Rover Lead.

This is a chance to recognize what a huge impact our volunteers have at Rainier. Come support your fellow volunteers and celebrate your accomplishments this year!

MRNPA Trail Work Party and Potluck!

Mount Rainier National Park Associates will be having a trail work party this Saturday, August 11^th. We will be working on the Twin Firs Trail. 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, email John Titland and tell him that you are coming and how many volunteers you are bringing with you.  He needs 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 him that too.

Following the work party MRNPA volunteers are invited to assemble in the Longmire VIP campground (not the Cougar Rock campground) to relax and socialize, followed by a potluck dinner, and an evening spent sitting around the campfire.  It's a fun event, so plan on staying (at least for a little while) and getting to better know some of the volunteers you have been working with.  

 

Overnight camping is available both Friday night, August 10th, and Saturday night, August 11th at the Longmire VIP campground.  Camping is free for MRNPA volunteers. If you plan to camp either or both nights, please tell him the nights you intend to camp when you email him telling him that you are coming to the work party.  He needs to assure that we have sufficient tent sites reserved.

 

Sunday, the 12th, we will try to do a short hike together.

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 tool 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, 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 eye glasses do not.

 

John Titland
Volunteer Coordinator
Mount Rainier National Park Associates

volunteer@MRNPA.org

Washington Trails Associates last weekend at Comet Falls!

WTA has been working for weeks on the Comet Falls Trail to help be able to safely open it to park visitors. They have done a tremendous job on this trail! So far, they have fixed areas with extensive exposed roots by building new turnpike and crib steps, and have been building a rock wall to stabilize the trail. They have worked to reroute around the wash out on the trail and things are really looking great!

This weekend, August 10th through the 12th, will be WTA’s last weekend on the Comet Falls Trail before moving on to a new project. Go to the WTA website, www.wta.org, to find out more about the trail work parties and to sign up for this weekends group! Be a part of the fantastic team that has worked to make Comet Falls a safer, exciting hike for our visitors!

A reminder about the Longmire Campground!

Volunteers, remember that the Longmire Campground is open to you on the day before and day of your volunteer projects in the park! You may make reservations through your direct park supervisor or by emailing me (Carrie_Anders@partner.nps.gov) with your project information, how many will be camping and if you will be in tents or an RV. Your reservation will be confirmed, and upon arrival at the Longmire Campground, our host, Jean Millan, will assign you your camp site!

There are some differences in rules between the Volunteer campground and the other campgrounds in the park. Pets are not allowed to stay in the tent camping area at Longmire. They are allowed to be in the employee residence (RV) sites, but must remain on a leash when outdoors, stay in the camper at night, and no pet food is permitted outside the camper.  If you have any questions or concerns about Longmire campground rules, please do not hesitate to ask!

Nisqually Glacier Survey Project is Ongoing!

If you are interested in getting out on the glaciers and surveying, the Nisqually Glacier Survey project is still looking for volunteers!

The main goal of this project is to identify the glacial flow velocity field of the Nisqually glacier. A major secondary goal is to isolate, to the extent possible, the approximate area of the lower Nisqually glacier that is flowing at a slower rate than the upper glacier. Past research has indicated that the Lower Nisqually typically moved approx. 0.6 m/day. However, measurements by Lead Climbing Ranger Stefan Lofgren during the glacier mass balance-monitoring project indicate that portions of the Lower Nisqually are now hardly moving, in the range of centimeters per day.

This is important because there is a possibility that stagnant ice (glacial ice that is no longer moving) may facilitate the development of glacial conditions that could allow for the storage of vast amounts of water that can be released catastrophically in the form of outburst floods.

This year the area set up by the 2011 glacial studies team will be re-surveyed. The surveying device used will be the Topcon GPT-3105W Total Station used last year. We will identify and survey suitable rocks at the beginning of the project, with as much overlap with last year’s rocks as possible. Ideally, the locations of said rocks will be resurveyed weekly or biweekly in order to ascertain changes in position due to glacial flow. At the end of the survey period, we should be able to utilize the relative motion of the rocks to characterize the velocity field of the glacier. At that point, we should be able to find areas that are not moving, or are moving abnormally slowly and contrast that with areas that are moving rapidly.

Ideally those helping with the survey will have waterproof sturdy boots, sunglasses with full coverage, a climbing helmet, an ice axe and crampons, as well as everything they require for a day trip (lunch, water, extra layers, sunscreen etc). That being said, crampons are unlikely to be required for the first several weeks and even after that if people do not have them, we can put them on a lower-elevation team. An ice axe and climbing helmet are highly recommended. Sturdy boots, sunglasses and sunscreen are not optional!

Volunteers need to be in good shape as they will be hiking all day and helping to carry survey equipment which is not exactly lightweight.

Volunteers are not required to have prior glacier experience, though having it is certainly a plus!

What the project manager needs to know from you if you are interested in participating in glacier surveys is the following information:

1.      When you are available, Thursdays are most often the survey days. 

2.       What is your glacier experience?

3.      Do you have glacier gear  (ice axe, crampons, helmet, climbing harness, stiff crampon-compatible boots, etc)?

 

If you are interested in volunteering with the glacier survey team this summer, please send the information listed above to Laura Walkup, the Project Manager.

Laura C. Walkup
Geology Technician
National Park Service
Mount Rainier National Park
Longmire, WA 98397

Office: 360-569-2211 ext.7003

laura_walkup@nps.gov

Puyallup Fair: Volunteering for the Mountain!

Top of Form Yes!  It's almost time to do the Puyallup.  This year's theme is "Get your happy on!"  Last year park staff and volunteers talked to more than 12,500 people and thousands more checked out our exhibits.   This year you have three opportunities to "Get Your Happy On!"   #1. Staffing the Mount Rainier Booth:   We would like to have two park people for each of the three 3 1/2-hour shifts a day (10 AM – 1:30 PM, 1:30 PM – 5 PM, 5 PM – 8:30 PM).  You will receive a ticket for admission to the fair and a parking pass (together worth $21-23).    You can experience the fair before and/or after your shift.    The fair runs from September 7th through September 23rd.      #2. Staff the Snowshoe Walk:   On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Noon to 6 PM the NW Outdoors Building will be providing a snowshoe experience (mainly for kids but adults can try too).  We will have a trail of straw around the trees provided by the Christmas Tree Growers.  There will be two 3-hr shifts each day (12-3 and 3-6) and we need at least two people each shift.  Snowshoes are provided by GoPaw but the two elderly ladies that have done this in the past just can't do it anymore.  I volunteered our volunteers.  It will be a busy, but quick, three hours.  You will also receive a ticket and parking pass.   #3. Help set up and take down the plants:  We will have hundreds of native plants throughout the building to make it an outdoor experience.  These plants have to be placed the day before the fair and then removed the day after.  This is very labor intensive and the park's reveg crew will be helping but we could use some more volunteers. Plants will be moved in at 10 AM on Thursday, September 6th and removed at 10 AM on Monday, September 24th.  If enough folks show up we should be done by 1 PM.  If you would like to join this activity let me know and I'll send you location and parking information.  All you'll need are work gloves and a "grain" shovel if you have one.   As you can see, the park is an important part of the Northwest Outdoors Alliance.  Our exhibits will occupy one of the largest spaces in the building.   But the most important part is a real live person representing the park service, talking with all those enthusiastic fairgoers.   I hope you can help out.   You will have a great time at the fair and I look forward to hearing from you.   An email response would be best, since at this time of the year I’m seldom in the office.  Tell me what activity, date, and time shift would work for you.  Also please include your mailing address so I can mail you instructions, maps, and tickets.    Uniforms are not a requirement to volunteer, but if you have one you are expected to wear it. Volunteer hats will be available at the Mount Rainier booth.     Thanks, and we’ll see you at the fair.   Check out the web page.  http://www.thefair.com/puyallup-fair/things-to-do/nw-outdoors   Jim Ross Outreach Specialist Mount Rainier National Park jim_ross@nps.gov Bottom of Form

Volunteers needed for Shadows of the Past lantern carriers!

YOU are invited to celebrate the August birthday of the National Park Service!  On the evening of August 18th West District Interpretation is presenting the Shadows of the Past living history program. Lantern-lighted, ranger-led walks depart from in front of the National Park Inn every 20 minutes between 8:30 PM and 9:30 PM.

The approximately 80-minute program tells the story of the beginning of Mount Rainier National Park and the National Park Service. Meet people who explored, settled, developed, climbed, and protected Mount Rainier more than 90 years ago as they emerge from the darkness along the Trail of the Shadows.

The program will be held rain or shine. Bring a warm jacket, insect repellent, a flashlight, and wear sturdy shoes. This interpretive program is free and open to all. No  RSVP is required.

Volunteers are needed to carry lanterns that light the way and illuminate the characters when they talk. If you can help with this task please email seasonal volunteer coordinator Carrie Anders: carrie_anders@partner.nps.gov.

There will be four walks and we need up to eight volunteers (2 per lantern). Walks are planned to leave from in front of the National Park Inn at 8:30 PM, 8:50 PM, 9:10 PM, and 9:30 PM. If you are game to carry a lantern, please let Carrie know your top two walk choices.  She will confirm your participation. Volunteer lantern carriers will need to meet 15 minutes before their scheduled walk at the picnic tables by the General Store.  Our Lantern Guru, Alan Parsons, will be there to give you your lantern.  He will also provide tips for carrying the lantern and effectively illuminating the trail and characters. New Shadows of the Past volunteers will need to sign a volunteer agreement form.

Please contact Carrie if you have any questions or are interested! Thank you in advance!

Keep Wildlife Wild Volunteers Needed!

Saturday August 18^th will be a great opportunity to volunteer in the park. Not only do we have the Shadows of the Past opportunity, but it is also the return of the Keep Wildlife Wild program. We are in need of volunteers to work with the wildlife crew up at the Paradise Visitors Center. It will be from 12:00 to 4:00 pm. Please contact Carrie Anders at Carrie_Anders@partner.nps.gov if you are interested or have more questions. We hope you can recognize the importance of this program to the wildlife in our beautiful park and can contribute your time to informing the public of the importance of keeping our wildlife wild! 

New Meadow Rover Training This Weekend and Through the Summer Season!

The Meadow Rover program will be providing trainings through the end of the summer season on a variety of topics of interest to meadow rovers and other volunteers.

They plan to have training sessions every Saturday at the same time (10 AM to 11:30 AM) and location (Longmire Community Building) as follows:

8/11/2012 - 'The New Ten Essentials' - Ed Hunds, Experienced Meadow Rover, Wilderness Preparedness Expert

8/18/2012 - 'Staying Found' - Judy Kennedy, Experienced Meadow Rover, Backcountry Expert, Interpretive Ranger

8/25/2012 - 'The Roll of the Meadow Rover during Search and Rescue Operations (SARs) - Rangers Jordan Mammel and/or Ben Guttridge

9/1/2012 - 'Nature Photography, Tips for the Visitor, General Nature Photographic Techniques, Photographic Trail/Meadow Damage Documentation' - Gary Ouellette, Experienced Meadow Rover, Professional Photographer

The first of these trainings will be providing an expanded training session on the 'New Ten Essentials' from 10AM to 11:30AM on Saturday, August 11, 2012 at the Longmire Community Building.  Ed Hunds, experienced Meadow Rover and Wilderness Preparedness Expert will be the course instructor.  (RSVP required please, no later than Wednesday, August 15, 2012 to eugene_marsh@partner.nps.gov.)

Cascades Butterfly Project seeks volunteers to seek butterflies!

If you’re out hiking this summer and come across a group of people walking slowly along a trail with butterfly nets, they’re probably part of the Cascades Butterfly Project! This group is tracking butterfly populations as a means of monitoring climate and ecosystem changes at Mount Rainier and North Cascades National Parks. They’re still looking for volunteers to help, and have several project dates still coming up on this year’s calendar! Here’s an update from project leader Michelle Toshack about their day above Berkeley Park on August 2nd:

“What a great trip to Mount Rainier! Wildflowers were blooming beautifully (at Naches Loop and Berkeley Park anyway) and butterflies were truly on the wing. Thank you to the ten excellent volunteers who helped with the project. We saw the following butterflies:

Milbert's Tortoiseshell
Anna's Blue
Silvery Blue
Boisduval's Blue
Edith's Checkerspot
Northern Checkerspot
Clodius Parnassian
Arctic Fritillary
“As a reminder, Melanie Weiss (volunteer field lead) will be at Sunrise (Berkeley Park) on August 17th and is looking for volunteers to accompany her. Please email me at michelle_toshack [at] nps.gov if interested. There will be one more chance to volunteer at Mt. Rainier from August 27-30.”

Read more about the program on their Yahoo Group at http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/cascadesbutterfly/

Third Annual Keep Wildlife Wild Event a Great Success!

This year the volunteers for the third annual “Keep Wildlife Wild” event took a positive approach to educating visitors about the importance of not feeding the wildlife in the park.

Leading by example, 21 volunteers targeted picnic areas along the Nisqually and Steven’s Canyon corridors with brooms and dustpans to sweep up crumbs left by picnickers. They shooed deer from the roadsides to keep them safer from traffic and “well intentioned” feeding, as well as Townsend’s chipmunks, Douglas squirrels, Steller’s and grey jays, Clark’s nutcrackers, and ravens from their usual spots around picnickers. Uniformed in shirts with the “Keep Wildlife Wild” logo and the message PEOPLE≠FOOD, most volunteers took to the park’s free shuttle bus system to provide informative handouts and stickers to visitors along the stops of the bus route.

Many of the volunteers had backgrounds in teaching and outdoor stewardship. The group was made up of both new and returning participants whose dedication to wildlife protection and visitor education helped make the event a success.

Thanks go out to all who participated!

-Sarah Yates
Wildlife Biologist
Mount Rainier National Park

Keep Wildlife Wild - Saturday, August 6th

Keep Wildlife Wild Event Information

Mount Rainier National Park will host its third annual Keep Wildlife Wild Day August 6th, from 9 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in an effort to educate visitors on wildlife and the impacts we have on them. The day will focus on wildlife protection and education to keep Mount Rainier’s wildlife wild.
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.

A morning and afternoon Bird Tour will be guided by Mount Rainier’s spotted owl crew leader Keith Bagnall to identify the human impacts to the birds of the Paradise area. Sturdy footwear is recommended.

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.

Volunteers are still needed for this event. For more information or to sign up please contact Sarah Yates, Wildlife Department. 360-569-6774.

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.

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.

Keep Wildlife Wild Weekend Reminder

This Saturday Keep Wildlife Wild Volunteers will be patrolling areas and handing out information from kiosks informing visitors of the dangers of feeding animals in the park.

Volunteers will receive a T-shirt to wear with the park’s new Keep Wildlife Wild logo and be stationed at kiosks located at Jackson Visitor Center, Narada Falls picnic area, Paradise picnic area, and Cougar Rock picnic area. Volunteer times are 11:00am - 1:00pm and 1:00pm - 3:00pm

Come out to join campaign to Keep Wildlife Wild and enjoy the festivities!

Anyone interested in participating as a volunteer should contact Alyssa Herr at (360) 569-2211 Ext: 3318

Check out the article on KWW Weekend recently featured in the Bellingham Herald at

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2010/07/25/1540820/leave-cuddly-creatures-alone-in.html.

Keep Wildlife Wild Day needs volunteers!

A small number of volunteers is needed on Saturday, July 31 to help with handing out information on wildlife feeding and patrolling areas where feeding occurs. Volunteers will be asked to stand at kiosks to hand out information on the park’s wildlife and the dangers of feeding animals in the park. Kiosks will be located at Jackson Visitor Center, Narada Falls picnic area, Paradise picnic area, and Cougar Rock picnic area.

Along with handing out information and talking to visitors, volunteers will be asked to watch for wildlife feeding and to haze animals which are approaching people to beg for food. Active hazing will help keep wildlife from obtaining food and set an example for visitors who may be tempted to feed.

Volunteer times: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Stations: JVC, Narada Falls picnic area, Paradise picnic area, and Cougar Rock picnic area.

Volunteers will be provided a T-shirt to wear with the park’s new Keep Wildlife Wild Logo. Come join the campaign to Keep Wildlife Wild! And enjoy the festivities of the day.

For more information, or to sign up to volunteer please contact Alyssa Herr (360) 569-2211 Ext: 3318

Alyssa Herr named Natural and Cultural Resources Employee of the Year

Last week, Barbara Samora presented Alyssa Herr with the 2009 NCR Employee of the Year Award.

Alyssa was assigned the task of addressing wildlife food conditioning and habituation issues, in addition to her normal duties working on the spotted owl field monitoring crew. She was the field lead for the informational campaign to reduce feeding of wildlife throughout the park. She organized a huge volunteer effort to address wildlife feeding and habituation by recruiting volunteers and providing a hands on training session before sending them out into the field to patrol problem areas and educate visitors. Alyssa took the initiative to contact the local newspaper whose published article on the event aided in recruiting volunteers. She also took the initiative to develop a logo and had an unsolicited but interested donor provide t-shirts with the wildlife logo to provide to volunteers participating in the event.

Alyssa conducted patrols of campgrounds, employee quarters and outdoor concession facilities to address problems with improper food storage and educate employees and visitors on wildlife issues.

Alyssa also assisted the Ranger division staff in developing another wildlife campaign that focused on wildlife roadkill events as well as wildlife feeding. She worked closely with park Rangers and Interpreters to address these issues.

In addition, Alyssa assisted the Wildlife Ecologist by serving as field lead for spotted owl and other field wildlife projects in the absence of the lead bio tech.

Alyssa is enthusiastic, energetic and has taken incredible initiative in developing a program that educates both visitors and employees on the effects of wildlife food conditioning and habituation. She is well respected by her co-workers in all divisions. She is most deserving of the 2009 Natural and Cultural Resources Division annual award.

Please join with me in congratulating Alyssa for a job well.

Roger J. Andrascik
Acting Deputy Superintendent
Mount Rainier National Park

Keep Wildlife Wild Weekend: Wrap Up

First, I would like to congratulate the person who took this program and rolled with it: wildlife biologist Alyssa Herr. She did an excellent job in bringing together the different parts of this program and making sure that when it all came together it felt cohesive and smooth. I would give her an "Internet" round of applause.

The day started off at Tahoma Woods in the Education Center, where Alyssa Herr oriented the volunteers to the problem of food-conditioned animals in the park. She explained why food-conditioned are a danger to both humans and themselves. They can become aggressive towards humans in trying to obtain food, and are at risk to be hit by a car, or stockpile food from humans that will not keep over the winter.

Alyssa, aided by Curt Jacquot, gave several informative (and amusing) skits on how not to treat the animals, and how to inform visitors who do so.

After orientation, volunteers were split into five teams who moved between five locations: Longmire, Cougar Rock, Narada Falls, Paradise Picnic Area and the Paradise Parking Lot. They handed out flyer's, informed people on correctly connecting with the wildlife (at a distance), and generally educating people on the problem the food-conditioned wildlife. And the little kids love it.

All in all it was a great success. At the end of the day, munching on graciously provided pizza in the Community Building, I can say that I at least came away more knowledgeable, more appreciative, and more concerned about the plight of food conditioned wildlife. And if we don't work to keep the wildlife wild, then all the park becomes is a zoo, and I certainly don't want that.

Earn a cool Keep Wildlife Wild t-shirt!

Remember that this coming weekend will be Mount Rainier National Park's first annual Keep Wildlife Wild weekend! It's forecast to be a very hot weekend, so what better place to be than at 5,000 feet elevation in a gorgeous national park, in a cool t-shirt, helping to educate people about the importance of not feeding wildlife?

Here's a copy of the new t-shirt design. Thanks to Alyssa Herr, Wildlife Biologist, and her mother, who designed the shirt! All participants will receive a copy of the shirt at no cost, along with free entrance into the park and pizza after the event.

If you missed the announcement of the program, you can still get all of the details here; RSVP here; and read about it in The News Tribune here:

"We have such a big issue and it's becoming worse and worse," Herr said. "In the past, the park hasn't given it a lot of energy.... The problem is too big of an issue right now... not to do something about it."

Help Keep Wildlife Wild!



Photo (c) Dave Stiles, used with permission

 Announcing: The 1st Annual Keep Wildlife Wild Weekend at Mount Rainier National Park!What do gray jays in the picnic area, red foxes at Narada Falls, and black bears in the campground have in common? They are all part of Mount Rainier's extraordinary and diverse wildlife population, and they are all at risk due to feeding by park visitors!

Join us on July 25 to help spread the word about the importance of keeping wildlife wild. With the help of volunteers, we will focus on wildlife protection, observation and education.

Feeding wildlife--even by leaving food and trash unsecured for animals to find--creates unnatural behaviors in animals called food-conditioning. Once an animal is food-conditioned it begins to seek out people to beg and steal human food from. This behavior is unhealthy for the animals and puts them at risk of injury and starvation. The park currently has many food-conditioned animals including deer, chipmunk, squirrels, birds, bears and foxes, some of which have been killed trying to crossing roads to obtain food.

Mount Rainier is dedicated to protecting wildlife by educating visitors on the important reasons why feeding or approaching wildlife is harmful and dangerous--and you can help in a very meaningful way! Mount Rainier National Park’s Keep Wildlife Wild Weekend gives volunteers a chance for active resource stewardship through education and observation.

The day will begin at the park's Education Center (click here for a map) at 9:00 a.m. with a short orientation by park staff. Park biologists will give information on wildlife feeding, proper food storage and native wildlife species. Interpretive rangers will give tips on creative communication techniques. Volunteers will be given data sheets to collect important information on wildlife observed as well as to document incidents of wildlife feeding or food-conditioned behavior. This information will be used by biologists to address wildlife feeding in the park.

Groups will be assigned different stations throughout the park where wildlife is at risk for being fed by visitors. At each station, volunteers will have the important task of educating visitors about the dangers of feeding wildlife through handouts and verbal communication. Volunteers will rotate through the different stations to give them the opportunity to explore wildlife protection in different areas of the park.

After the work day, volunteers may gather for a recap on the event and to share stories and celebratory pizza in the park’s Community Building (map). Camping is also available for volunteers in the Longmire Campground either Friday or Saturday night.

To RSVP, visit our event page at http://keepwildlifewild.eventbrite.com/. Join Mount Rainier in helping to keep wildlife wild!