Evergreen State College Students Dig Cougar Rock Campground

If you haven’t already heard, or read on the Mount Rainier National Park website, the current heavy snowpack has caused a delay in the opening Cougar Rock Campground. Lucky for us we have an awesome staff and dedicated volunteers from The Evergreen State College working side by side with shovels in hand to get the campground open by Friday, June 3rd.

With up to three feet of snow still sitting in some areas of the campground and rain falling from the sky, thirty (plus) students have enthusiastically spent the past two days digging out campsites within the campground. This is the first of several projects this group will be dedicating volunteer time towards this upcoming summer.

A big thank you for all of your hard work this week and we look forward to working with you throughout the season!

Calling All Characters!

Ever wish for the simpler days? Does today’s fast pace and impersonal electronic age have you down? Well, Mount Rainier National Park is partnering with Evergreen State College and they are looking to take visitors Back In Time with your help!

This summer we need local volunteers who are passionate about the park, history, and people, and who have a penchant for dressing up, to join us for some fun. We need people to fill a variety of roles to bring history to life this summer for our Shadows of the Past living history programs at Longmire.

Volunteers are needed for the following:

Characters – Have a flair for the dramatic? Ever wanted to wear a fake beard and talk with a Scottish brogue? We need people to fill a variety of roles from Mount Rainier’s history, memorizing scripts and portraying characters in at least one Shadows of the Past programs.

Guides – Do you like to answer questions and “play follow the leader”? Guides are needed to lead visitors through the Shadows of the Past program by memorizing a script and monitoring the group. We also need guides to introduce vignettes and answer visitor questions.

Lantern Bearers – Want to be involved, but want to stay behind the scenes? Lantern bearers are needed for Shadows of the Past programs to illuminate the path for visitors and the characters during the program.

Mark your calendars!

Shadows of the Past performances will be held the evenings of August 13th and 27th. Dress rehearsal date TBA.

For more information on the program or any of the positions listed please contact Kevin Bacher at Kevin_Bacher@nps.gov or 360.569.6567 or Patti Poulin at Patricia_Poulin@partner.nps.gov or 360.569.6588.

Mount Rainier National Park Volunteer Newsletter: June 2011

Summer is just around the corner and we are getting excited for all the projects that will be taking place in the park this season!

No matter what type of volunteering you are interested in, long term vs. short term, individual or group, backcountry or front country, we have many opportunities for you to help protect the beautiful natural and cultural resources of Mount Rainier National Park and to help serve its visitors.

Check out our calendar of activities for more details on our summer volunteer schedule and upcoming training opportunities.

In addition, the Washington Trails Association (WTA) and the Mount Rainier National Park Associates (MRNPA) are two partner organizations that schedule day long projects and even week long vacations.

Washington Trails Association Projects

Contact WTA through their website for details and to register for these projects:

May 28 - June 4 - WTA Volunteer Vacation at West Boundary Trail

June 3 – WTA Work Party at West Boundary Trail

June 4 – 11 – WTA Volunteer Vacation at West Boundary Trail

June 10 – WTA Trail Work Party at West Boundary Trail

June 11 – WTA Trail Work Party at West Boundary Trail

June 12 – WTA Trail Work Party at West Boundary Trail

June 17 – WTA Trail Work Party at Glacier Basin

June 18 – WTA Trail Work Party at Glacier Basin

June 19 – WTA Trail Work Party at Glacier

June 24 – WTA Trail Work Party at Glacier Basin

June 25 – WTA Trail Work Party at Glacier Basin

June 26 – WTA Trail Work Party at Glacier Basin

September 3 -10 – WTA Volunteer Vacation at Carbon River

Additional projects will be added to WTA’s calendar on a weekly basis throughout the summer. Most projects happen on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through Labor Day.

Mount Rainier National Park Associates Projects

Contact MRNPA through their website for details and to register for these projects:

June 11 - Trail Maintenance

July 9 – De-vegetation

August 13 – Trail Maintenance/Campout

September 10 – Re-vegetation

October 1 – Project TBD

Training Opportunities

Keep an eye out for details about these training courses, and how to register for them, on this blog

May 31 - June 4 – Seasonal Interpreter’s Training Week 1

June 8 - 11 - Seasonal Interpreter's Training Week 2

June 25 - Meadow Rover Training

June 26 – Advanced Meadow Rover Training

Special Event Volunteer Opportunities

We have several dates are on the calendar for drop-in projects, with more being planned.

July 4 - Independence Parade: Every year Mount Rainier National Park marches in the Eatonville 4th of July Parade, and volunteers are eagerly sought to represent the park. Come in uniform and walk with our team! Contact Jim Ross at Jim_Ross@nps.gov or (360) 569-6568 to sign up.

August 6 – Keep Wildlife Wild: 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.

More information on the “Keep Wildlife Wild” program can be found at http://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/keep-wildlife-wild.htm.
If you have questions or would like to volunteer, please contact Sarah Yates at 360-569-6774, Sarah_Yates@nps.gov.

September 24 – National Public Lands Day: Every year on the last Saturday of September, Mount Rainier brings its summer volunteer program to a close with a massive volunteer day, offering volunteer opportunities throughout the park including trail maintenance and re-vegetation. Watch the blog for further announcements, but put the date on your calendar!

Group Projects

If you are a part of a group and/or organization that is looking for a project at the park we have several projects that require groups ranging in size from 5 to 100. Multi-day projects can use volunteers for a single day, or for several days at a stretch. Here are some options:

Sunrise Snow Shoveling

Every year, volunteers help us dig out fire hydrants, rock walls, steps, pathways, and other facilities that mechanical snow removal equipment can't get to safely. It's a fun way to spend a day in the snow at Sunrise, before the area is open to the public! We have both weekday and weekend options are available (with a crew leader provided by our volunteer program). Dates are flexible in mid June. Contact Dale Harvard at 360-569-6728.

Trail Maintenance

Our trail crews will be building and maintaining trails all summer long, and are always happy for help from volunteer groups. Call Trails Volunteer Coordinator Melody Abel at 360-569-6632 to set up a date and location for a project that meets your needs any time during the summer. Note: Trail work is strenuous and may require many miles of hiking. We are typically able to work with volunteers ay through mid-September.

Native Plant Restoration

Our re-vegetation crews will be busy in late summer and early fall planting native plants at locations in both Paradise and Sunrise. Groups of almost unlimited size are welcome to help, either for single days or multiple day stretches. Contact Will Arnesen at 360-569-6762 to arrange a date for your group.

More projects are in the works, so even if you don't see something of interest to you here, give us a call (360-569-6567) and let us connect your group with a project that will make a real difference at Mount Rainier National Park!

Individual Openings

Would you like to volunteer for a longer period of time, or return regularly throughout the summer to help with an extended projects? We have many opportunities to choose from! Follow these links for details and to apply for any project that interests you:

Meadow Rover: Help us protect the subalpine meadows above Paradise and Sunrise by patrolling trails and educating visitors about the importance of staying on trails.

Plant Propagation (Greenhouse Assistant): Help grow plants for transplanting in the subalpine meadows.

Shadows of the Past: Help bring the history of Mount Rainier to life by acting out a part in our living history program at Longmire, or guide visitors down the enchanted Trail of the Shadows by lantern-light! Tentative program dates are August 13 and 27.

Citizen Science Team: Survey frogs, salamanders, and other species in the park's backcountry!

Resources

Besides the obvious benefits of volunteering at a National Park (time outdoors, meeting new people, sense of accomplishment), our volunteers get free entrance to the park on their days of service, as well as free use of the Longmire Campground (and its showers!).

We are always updating our blog with all the latest information and opportunities to volunteer at Mount Rainier. If you would like to get involved in any of the programs you have read about it this newsletter get in touch with either Kevin Bacher (360.569.6567 or kevin_bacher@nps.gov) or Patti Poulin (360.569.6588 or patricia_poulin@partner.nps.gov).

Thank you for your support of Mount Rainier, and we look forward to working with you this summer!

Dave Uberuaga Takes On Grand Canyon National Park

After career of 27 years at Mount Rainier National Park, Dave Uberuaga will be leaving to become the superintendent at Grand Canyon National Park. Uberuaga was informed early yesterday that he had been selected to take over the second most visited park in the nation.

"It was not an easy decision," Uberuaga said. He started at Mount Rainier in July 1984 and has served as superintendent since November 2002.

The reaction among those connected to Mount Rainier, including our very own Volunteer Program Manager Kevin Bacher, has been universal in high praise for Uberuaga.

“He’s been a passionate advocate for the park and a visionary leader through some very challenging times,” Kevin stated to The News Tribune.

“Among many other things, he has supported wholeheartedly a transformation of the volunteer program at Mount Rainier, making it a key partner of the park’s mission and integrated into every part of park operations. "

To read more, visit The News Tribune article published June 1st.

Leave No Trace Collaborates with Paradise

As reported in the Olympian this past Sunday (May 22nd) , The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics has selected Mount Rainier National Park’s Paradise Area as a Leave No Trace Hot Spot. The Hot Spots program, in its second year, raises awareness about natural areas around the country facing the threat of irreversible environmental damage. As part of the initiative, Leave Not Trace works with volunteers, non-profit organizations, and governmental agencies to reduce the effect of recreational activities in the selected areas.

As a part of this program, Leave No Trace training will be provided for key park staff and volunteers, signs will be created to convey minimal impact information, and consultation will be provided on the best management practices for minimizing the effects in the Paradise area.

There are two upcoming meetings for those who are interested in a general overview of the program:

June 27: Mountaineers Program Center, 7700 Sand Point Way N.E. , Seattle, 7-9 p.m.

June 28: REI store, 222 Yale Ave. N., Seattle, 6:30-8 p.m.Read more:

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.

MRNPA Trail Work Party - June 11th

The next Mount Rainier National Park Associates trails work party will be on Saturday, June 11th. That's only a little over 2 weeks away!

At this time MRNPA does not yet know where they will be working. It will be either the Glacier Basin Trail above the White River Campground or again at the Boundary Trail at the Carbon River Entrance of Mt. Rainier National Park. The deciding factor will be the amount of snow on the Glacier Basin Trail. Volunteers will be informed as soon as John Titland, MRNPA's volunteer coordinator has a solid answer.

Either way the group will be meeting at 8:30 AM on Saturday morning and will be ready to move out by 9:00 AM. There will be a short hike to the work site. As always bring safety glasses, work gloves, your lunch, plenty of fluids to drink, and full rain gear. Also bring a safety helmet (a hard hat) if you have one.

If you plan to attend this June 11th trails work party, please email John at volunteer@mount-rainier.org to indicate that you are coming and how many volunteers other volunteers may be accompanying you. John needs an estimate of the number of volunteers to that Park staff can be sure to have enough tools for everyone.

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, we have hard hats that we loan for the day the day.

Wearing safety glasses is encouraged at all times. 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.

For more information regarding this working party or about MRNPA (Mt. Rainier National Park Associates) please visit http://mrnpa.org/.

MRNPA – Trail Work Party at Carbon River

This past Saturday, May 21st, I was fortunate enough to join in on my first Trail Work Party with the dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers from MRNPA. Rainclouds lingered overhead as I drove into the Carbon River entrance of Mt. Rainier National Park. Exiting the car, I was immediately welcomed by John Titland, Mt. Rainier National Park Associate’s volunteer coordinator. As we shook hands I could not help but admire his heavy duty rain coveralls. Not more than fifteen minutes later I started feeling the damp air cutting through my lightweight (not so heavy duty) rain shell. A rookie when it comes to living in Washington, I quickly realized I still have a lot to learn!

All week I had been anxiously awaiting this day and was ready get some dirt under my fingernails. After a very lively safety talk, then meet and greet we headed up the West Boundary Trail to start moving rocks, building steps, and level out some steep stretches at the beginning of the trail.

Although rain clouds continued to threaten us throughout the day everyone managed to avoid being soaked. Laughter could be heard up and down the trail throughout the day and I did not see a single person without a smile on their face, even when digging out rocks that seemly grew in size once unearthed! The work day (or party, rather) flew by and although there is still much work left to be done, seeing the fruits of our labor over the one-mile stretch was beyond gratifying.

The next Mount Rainier National Park Associates trail work party happens Saturday, June 11th. At this time the project location has yet to be determined, but you can check http://mrnpa.org/workprojects.php for up-to-date information and to join in on the party!

New phone numbers; welcome to Patti Poulin!

Mount Rainier National Park has just gone "live" with a brand new phone system, which provides direct-dial phone numbers to most individuals and offices in the park but means that most of the park's old phone numbers will soon become obsolete. There will be a month-long grace period during which old phone extensions will transfer automatically to the new numbers, but after that, you'll need to know the new number.

Mount Rainier's main phone number, 360-569-2211, will not change, and you will still be able to search for an employee by name when you call that number. If you're volunteering in the park, check with your supervisor to find out their new phone number. Here are a few other numbers you might want to keep track of (all begin with 360-569-):

-6571 Jackson Visitor Center (Paradise)
-6575 Longmire Museum
-6581 Ohanapecosh Visitor Center
-6600 Park dispatch
-6670 White River Ranger Station
360-829-9639 Carbon River Ranger Station

-6567 Kevin Bacher, Volunteer Program Manager
-6588 Patti Poulin, Volunteer Coordinator Intern

"Patti Poulin" is a new name for most of you--so please join me in welcoming our brand new summer Volunteer Coordinator Intern, here through the Student Conservation Association! Patti fills the role that Evan Escamilla was in last summer, and will be helping to coordinate volunteer projects throughout the summer. She comes to us most recently from the non-profit Ouray Ice Park, and has previous experience with the Bureau of Land Management in Tucson, The Nature Conservancy, the YMCA, and Outward Bound. If you're in Longmire, stop in and say hello!

Join a trails project this Saturday, May 21!

The second Mount Rainier National Park Associates trails work party for 2011 will be on Saturday, May 21st. That's less a week away. The project will again be to work on the Boundary Trail which begins right at the Carbon River entrance. We will meet at the Carbon River entrance station at about 8:30 AM and be ready to move out by 9:00 AM.

As always, bring your lunch and plenty of fluids to drink, work gloves and safety glasses, and a full set of rain gear, and some warm clothing too.

If you plan to attend this May 21st trails work party, please send an email ASAP to volunteer@mount-rainier.org 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, we have hard hats that we loan for the day 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.

If you are not able to attend a MRNPA work party, but are interested in volunteering at Mount Rainier National Park, please take a look at the Mount Rainier "Volunteers in the Park" website for other volunteer opportunities that may interest you at http://www.nps.gov/mora/supportyourpark/vip-positions.htm.

John Titland
Volunteer Coordinator
Mount Rainier National Park Associates