Adopt-A-Highway Volunteers

For a little over three years now, Mount Rainier volunteers have been participating in the state's "Adopt-a-Highway" program through the Dept. of Transportation. Three times every year, we go out and patrol a two-mile section of SR 706, collecting multiple bags of trash each time we work. It's not a glamorous job, but we like to think it makes the journey to the Park a little more pleasant for visitors.

Our pickup dates vary, but we always schedule one in April and September, with the third frequently occurring just before or after the Fourth of July weekend. We're done for 2016, but we hope you'll join us next year!

Litter Patrol Recruiting Now!

Put yourself in this picture by joining our small  but dedicated task force of litter pickers: the Mount Rainier Volunteers Adopt-a-Highway crew!

A lot of litter has accumulated over the summer as record numbers of visitors have been streaming into the Park. Our team goes out with long-armed grabbers and heavy plastic bags three times each year to patrol the two-mile section of SR 706, a stretch which includes the frontage of the Park's Tahoma Woods administrative facilities as well as the only good view of Mount Rainier along the highway. We want it to keep our "front step" clean for our visitors, so please consider joining us for our next pick-up on September 11. Crew size is limited to 12, so reserve your volunteer opportunity now! Please RSVP by September 6. For more information, contact Crow at petrina_vecchio@partner.nps.gov.

Earth Day Week Litter Patrol

It's been three years since Mount Rainier's Volunteers adopted the two-mile stretch of SR 706 from milepost 2 to milepost 4 east of Elbe. You may recognize this as the section of highway which includes the Park's Tahoma Woods Headquarters. During those three years, we have partnered with the Washington State Department of Transportation, and in exchange for keeping the area clean of litter, Volunteers are acknowledged by a state sign at either end of the "beat." This publicity is good for the Park and for the Volunteer Program, and that's why once again, we are turning to you to ask for help.

As part of our contract with the state, we must complete a litter pickup in April, an event which coincides (more or less) with Earth Day. This year's patrol is scheduled for Saturday, April 25th starting at 10 AM. Depending on the number of volunteers we have turn out, we will have the job done between noon and 2 PM. Volunteers who have not already done so will need to watch a short training video which features a very young and goofy Bill Nye ("the Science Guy"). The video can be found on the DoT's website at http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/operations/adoptahwy/

Here's your chance to benefit both the Park and the community, and to help increase public awareness of the Volunteer program. We need one dozen volunteers for the job! Bags, gloves, safety vests and long-armed grabbers will be provided. Contact Crow at petrina_vecchio(at)partner.nps.gov for more information. RSVP no later than April 15. Please join us!

Litter pickers still needed this Saturday

Still looking for something to do for this year's National Day of Service? Looking for a way to get community service hours for high school? Consider joining our roadside cleanup team for a few hours this Saturday, September 6! Mount Rainier Volunteers have adopted the piece of highway that runs past park headquarters between Ashford and Elbe, and three times a year, dedicated volunteers walk the two-mile stretch to keep it clean.

If you'd like to join us, don't delay: read our earlier post for details about how to sign up. There's a quick on-line orientation you'll need to complete, and then you'll be ready to go!

Litter pickers needed!

As part of the Volunteer Program's contract with the Washington State Dept. of Transportation, we have agreed to coordinate a litter patrol between mileposts 2 and 4 on State Route 706 during the month of April in recognition of Earth Day. The area to be policed includes the Park's Tahoma Woods frontage. An enormous amount of litter has accumulated over the winter, and we need your help to tidy up! If you are capable of walking at least one mile and are willing to devote approximately three hours to this public service project rain or shine, we have ten spots available. Sign up soon! The date is Saturday, April 26, hours 10-1. Gloves, "long-armed grabbers" and a short training session will be provided. To sign up, contact Volunteer Coordinator Crow Vecchio at petrina_vecchio@partner.nps.gov no later than April 20.

Picker-uppers Wanted!

Yep, it's time for the next Adopt-a-Highway litter patrol, and Crow is looking for twelve good men/women who are willing to commit approximately three hours to this community service.

As many of you know, Mount Rainier's Volunteer Program has partnered with the Washington Dept. of Transportation in a commitment to keep the two-mile section of SR 706 clean of litter. This area includes the Park's Tahoma Woods (headquarters) property. In exchange for our services, Park volunteers are acknowledged by two signs placed at either end of the "beat." These signs bring our volunteers and volunteer program into the public eye, encouraging even more people to volunteer in the Park. It's the classic win-win situation!

We will be gathering at Park Headquarters at Tahoma Woods, three miles east of Elbe on SR 706 on Saturday, September 21, 9 AM, and work will go forward rain or shine. "Long-armed grabbers," litter bags, and safety vests will be provided. We will have a limited number of gloves available, so if you have your own, please bring them.

In order to participate in the upcoming patrol, volunteers who have not already done so will need to watch a short training video which features a very young and goofy Bill Nye ("the Science Guy"). The video can be found on the DoT's website at http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/operations/adoptahwy/

To sign up for this Adopt-a-Highway event, contact Crow at petrina_vecchio@partner.nps.gov by September 17 to confirm that you've watched the video.

High Visibility Team

 A highly visible team of Mount Rainier Volunteers patrolled a two-mile section of Hwy 706 for litter today, sporting brand-new ANSI-approved vests from the state Department of Transportation. The crew participates in a partnership with WADoT's "Adopt-a-Highway" program. Several members were returnees on their second or third work party with the group.

Prior to every patrol, group members receive a brief orientation to advise them on the proper handling of certain dangerous items they may find along the roadside. While on their beat today, the workers encountered a suspicious container which they believed might have been a "one-pot cooker" used in producing methamphetamine. The location was reported and the object was investigated by a deputy who determined that it was not a meth lab.

Didn't We Just Do That?

 
Yes, you did! But litter is an ongoing problem, and we want to have our gateway to the Mountain looking nice for our Fourth of July visitors. Mount Rainier's wonderful Volunteers have adopted the two-mile stretch of SR 706 which includes our Tahoma Woods property, and we'll be conducting another litter patrol as part of our partnership with the state Dept. of Transportation's Adopt-a-Highway program. They limit us to twelve participants, so if you're interested, sign up soon! Gloves, safety vests, bags and "long-armed grabbers" will be provided. Hard hats are optional, so if you want to wear one, bring your own.

Volunteers for this project MUST watch the DoT's five-minute training video featuring goofy (and much younger) Bill Nye the Science Guy. By the way, our Volunteers are featured on the front page of the Adopt-a-Highway site this month!

Contact Crow at Petrina_Vecchio@partner.nps.gov to reserve your spot. We will be staging at Tahoma Woods in the Administration Building parking lot at 9 AM on Saturday, June 29.

Volunteers Wanted for Litter Patrol!

As of this writing, only about half of the vacancies have been filled for our April 20th Adopt-a-Highway litter patrol and the litter along State Route 706 is multiplying daily! Please join us in tidying up for Earth Day and the summer season! Contact Petrina_Vecchio@partner.nps.gov to reserve your spot.

We will be staging at Tahoma Woods (approximately three miles east of Elbe) at 9 AM. There will be a brief orientation before the patrol begins.

NPLD Litter Pickers

One professor, nine Evergreen State College students and two local residents made short work of litter along SR 706 as Mount Rainier Volunteers participating in an Adopt-A-Highway cleanup patrol. Seventeen bags of litter were collected along the two-mile stretch of roadway which encompasses the Park's Tahoma Woods property and the best view of Mount Rainier from this scenic highway. Passing motorists often honked their approval or waved to the group in acknowledgement of the service they were providing.
Similar patrols will be conducted in April in conjunction with Earth Day and again in June just prior to the Fourth of July when Park visitation is at a peak. Participation is limited to twelve individuals per the Dept. of Transportation, so if you are interested in taking part, please contact Crow Vecchio or Kevin Bacher at ext. 6567. Volunteers like you can make a huge difference in our visitors' experiences both inside and outside the Park!

Adopt-A-Highway on National Public Lands Day

On September 29 (National Public Lands Day), a crew of twelve volunteers will be participating in litter pickup along SR 706 from milepost 2 to milepost 4 as part of our recent agreement with the Washington State Department of Transportation under their "Adopt-A-Highway" program. Our designated section of roadway includes Mount Rainier's Tahoma Woods property frontage. Similar pickups will be conducted in April and late June. In recognition of the valuable community service we will be providing, signs acknowledging Mount Rainier Volunteers will be placed at either end of our patrol area. What a great way to show visitors we care about the community as well as our own Park!