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.

Volunteer Adventures of the Past Two Weeks

Hello everyone, after a long absence (in Internet time) I've finally found a little respite to post a few choice words on the past couple of weeks. And perhaps no words better suit than these: busy, busy, BUSY! Between amphibian surveys, replanting Paradise, and the usual funny business, I just haven't had time to post on the blog. It's been so busy, I haven't had the time to report on just how busy it has been! The ultimate Catch-22. Well,my schedule has parted slightly, and now, finally, I have the chance to tell you just what has been going on.

On Friday, July 10, a group from the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium came down to the park and participated in an Amphibian Survey at Frog Heaven, led by SCA Intern Caitlin Kenny. Scouring the swampy land, they carefully counted the number of adult and juvenile frogs and recorded the number and size of egg masses. The even managed to find a couple of salamanders. Sounds like important work. I'm still waiting to receive pictures from one of the chaperone's with the group, but when I do I'll be sure to post them.

And I can't forget those dedicated volunteers who fought tooth and nail for parking on Saturday, July 11 and Saturday, July 18 to participate in the revegiation project at Paradise. I was up there with them on July 11th, and remain ever impressed by their enthisuiam in the face of t...soil. They were working alongside our Conservation Leadership Core friends from the SCA. I managed to snag a few pictures of the group digging away.

Glacier Basin Adventures with the WTA

Bonjour everyone,

I hope you had a great weekend, and managed to get outside on Saturday aka National Trails Day. I know I made the most of it. That morning I made my way up and over to the east side of the mountain, where I joined (it was lunch by this time) the Washington Trails Associations in their rerouting of the Glacier Basin trail.

Actually, I just got in their way and made a general racket. I could never keep up with these guys and gals, they really get the job done. But while I'm not so handy with the tools, put me behind a camera and I can do a decent job, and work crews look good in the spotlight. I got some good pictures, so enjoy the slide show at the end of the post.

The WTA had a great showing, with more than two dozen people coming out. For those of you who have never heard of the Washington Trails Association, they're one of the driving public forces behind trail protection and maintenance in this state. They started in 1966 as a newsletter for hikers, and while their main focus is still informing people about trails, they are now a top volunteer organization that helps to keep the trail you use in the condition to be used. You can find out more at http://www.wta.org/.

They will continue to be working on the Glacier Basin Trail throughout the summer, so if you missed this event, be sure to check the blog calendar for the rest. You can also check the WTA website for events in other National Parks, National Forests, and throughout the state. So if you're a hiker, do yourself a favor and check them out.

Au Revoir,

Nick

It's a PARTY (A Folder Stuffing Party)

Hey everyone, we have a small, one shot volunteer oppurtunity for anyone who has some time to donate.

We need a group of volunteer to help put together 250 packets on Wednesday, June 23. The event should go quick if we get enough volunteers. The packets will be used for one of our All Employee Meetings.

We'll start stuffing a 9:00 AM, and I can't imagine it taking more than a couple of hours. If you want to join and help out you should RSVP with Kevin Bacher at kevin_bacher@nps.gov or 360-569-2211 Ext. 3385

Do svidaniya,
Nick