Leave No Trace Trainer Course

Mount Rainier Volunteer Brian Carpenter has announced that he will be giving a "Leave No Trace Trainer" course through the Mountaineers. The class is open to non-members and will include an easy overnight backpacking trip to Ancient Lakes in Eastern Washington. It is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, March 25-26. Participants will examine research covering recommended "best practices" and will discuss the spectrum of personal comfort levels, ethics and philosophies which determine how individuals make choices in the backcountry.  For more details, visit the Mountaineers' listing here: Leave No Trace Trainer Course. Course graduates will earn the nationally-recognized title "Leave No Trace Trainer" and will receive a certificate of completion. 

Fee is $40 for Mountaineers members, $60 for non-members. Participants must supply their own backpacking gear and food. Registration closes on March 20.

Butterfly Surveys Begin Earlier

With the snow disappearing and wildflowers emerging at the higher elevations, the Cascades Butterfly Survey project will be starting earlier than expected this year. Training is scheduled for Tuesday, June 30 at Sunrise. Volunteers who are interested in participating should meet in the parking lot in front of the Visitor Center (near the water fountain) at 10 AM. The session will include an introduction to the program by Regina Rochefort, followed by identification practice during a short hike to the walk-in campground. Bring your lunch!

SAR Training was a great success!

THANK YOU, both to all of the volunteers who showed up on short notice last weekend for Search and Rescue Training, and to the Visitor and Resource Protection Rangers who put on the training and welcomed volunteers to it! Here's a photo taken by volunteer Rob Barker, showing some of the practice that went on. The park is now safer (or at least better prepared to respond to an emergency) thanks to your efforts!

All-Park Safety Meeting - Volunteers Are Invited

Any interested Volunteer is invited to attend the annual All-Park Safety Meeting on Wednesday, June 26th. It will be held in the gymnasium of Columbia Crest School from 12:30-4:30 PM. Featured speakers will include David McEvoy and Jay Satz.

From the Safety Committee release: "There are causal factors that come up again and again when looking at why employees get hurt or die on the job. Two of these factors are risk normalization and understanding the difference between personal safety and standards of professional safe work habits while on the job...This presentation, led by two park partners who are career professionals with expertise in safe work analysis and accident prevention, will help employees define and mitigate these common human factors."

During the meeting, participants will be broken into work groups to engage in facilitator-led risk assessment exercises pertinent to their divisions. There will also be an optional fire extinguisher training at the end of the session. You must sign in at your division's table upon arrival for assignment to a group.

EDRR Invasive Weed Recognition Training Sessions

Are you interested in learning more about invasive plants in the area? The PNW Invasive Plant Council is holding two training sessions in early May. Many of our Volunteers have attended these sessions in past years.

Training Locations and Dates for 2013:

• Sunday, May 5th; 1pm - 3:30pm at NorthwestTrek Wildlife Park in Eatonville, WA

11610 Trek Drive East, Eatonville, WA; Specific location of training will be sent to participants who sign up for the trainings. General location information about Northwest Trek can be found at http://www.nwtrek.org/

• Monday, May 6th, 2013; 1pm – 3:30pm at LOTT Clean Water Alliance Center in Olympia, WA

500 Adams Street NE, Olympia, WA; Specific location of training will be sent to participants who sign up for the trainings. General location information can be found at http://www.lottcleanwater.org/directions.htm

***Capacity is limited so if you would like to attend one of the trainings, please RSVP to Julie Combs at pnw.ipc.org@gmail.com (or call 615-812-5295) to reserve your place.

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!  

Seasonal Training Opportunity: Meadow Rovers and Beyond!

A weekly, optional, seasonal training reminder for all Meadow/Snow Rover volunteers, as well as ALL Volunteer and Professional MORA staff who may wish to attend. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Mount Rainier National Park, Volunteer Meadow/Snow Rover Program continues our ‘Saturday Training Sessions’ this week with, ‘The Roll of the Meadow Rover during Emergency Operations’ .  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 following is the current training calendar:  (The next available class offering is shown in red .)   8/25/2012  -  "The Roll of the Meadow Rover during Emergency Operations" - Jordan Mammel, Wildlife and Lead Law Enforcement Ranger and/or Ben Guttridge, Lead General Ranger/Climbing Ranger   9/01/2012   -   "Nature   Photography - Tips for the Visitor, General Nature Photography Techniques and Photographic Documentation of Trail/Meadow Damage and/or Hazards" - Gary Ouellette, Experienced Meadow Rover, Noted  Professional Photographer (Bring your camera!)   9/08/2012  -  "The New Ten Essentials" - Ed Hunds, Experienced Meadow Rover, Wilderness Preparedness Expert   Location:        Longmire Community Building Time:              10 AM to 11:30 PM Day:              Saturday Dates:              8/25/2012, 9/1/2012 and 9/8/2012 (Additional topics and dates will be added soon.)   The topics presented are geared to provide Park relevant learning opportunities 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

Invasive Species Volunteer Training Schedule!

July 2012 EDRR Invasive Species (Citizen Science) Volunteer Training Schedule

·       Seattle: Wednesday, July 18th; 6:00-830pm

·       Seattle: Saturday, July 21st; 9:30am-12am (with optional field training from 1-2:30pm)

·       Olympia Wednesday, July 25th; Session A 1:00pm-3:30pm

·       Olympia: Wednesday, July 25th; Session B  6:00pm-8:30pm

·       Yakima: Saturday, July 28th; 9:30-12am (potential optional field training from 1-2:30pm) 

We will train volunteers to identify 25-30 EDRR plants, collect and report data to the PNW IPC who will then alert local land managers so they can act to remove these invaders. We will use a Powerpoint presentation, herbarium specimens, live material and informational handouts in the trainings. In Seattle and possibly Yakima we will add a field component for those interested in getting hands on experience using the data sheets (e.g., estimating population size of plants encountered, area surveyed etc.) Once volunteers are trained they will conduct surveys within the four target areas listed below. Volunteers will help locate newly established populations and report the data back to the PNW-IPC. The PNW-IPC will then distribute data to county noxious weed controllers and other state and federal land managers that will be able to use the information to remove EDRR invaders before they have a chance to spread and cause serious ecological damage and deplete economic resources.

Exact locations of trainings will be posted on our website ( http://www.pnw-ipc.org ) soon. In addition, location information will be e-mailed directly to volunteers who sign up for one of the trainings. If you would like to attend an EDRR training session please e-mail Julie Combs ( pnw.ipc.org@gmail.com ) with the subject line "Yakima Training" ,"Seattle Training" or "Yakima Training". We want to get a general idea of how many people will be attending each training session so we can reserve space commensurate with the number of people attending.

We are targeting four different CWMA (Cooperative Weed Management Areas) in eight WA Counties for this pilot program:

·       Nisqually River Watershed– Pierce, Thurston, Lewis

·       Chehalis River, Southwestern WA – Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason

·       HWY 12- SR 410 – Lewis, Pierce, Yakima, Kittitas

·       Southcentral WA– Kittitas,Yakima, Klickitat

The PNW Invasive Plant Council is working in partnership with the Washington Department of Agriculture (WSDA) and other state and local conservations groups to develop and pilot a Citizen Science EDRR program in Washington State with funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. What makes this conservation project unique is that we are focusing on eradicating plants currently in low abundance in target areas. We are excited about this effort and and hope that you can participate as a Citizen Scientist!  

For more information contact:

Julie K. Combs, PhD
PNW Invasive Plant Council
EDRR Citizen Science Program Coordinator

(615) 812-5295

pnw.ipc.org@gmail.com
U of W
Box 354115
Seattle, WA 98195 www.pnw-ipc.org

Snow Rover training scheduled

From West District Interpreter Lee Snook:

Winter is on its way -- or is it here?! There are already several inches of snow on the ground at Longmire. As the fall colors give way to the white of snow some think it’s time to hang up the boots and wait for melt out next year, but many of you know this is when the fun really begins. The winter wonderland of Paradise opens a whole new set of recreational opportunities and special ways to explore the mountain. This means we still need volunteer rovers! With the ever-changing weather conditions in the winter, having rovers on the trails talking to visitors, answering questions and providing staff with trail updates is just as important as having them out there in the summer.

Snow Rovers assist in a variety of ways. Besides making contacts with visitors and assessing conditions, rovers can also help by resetting wands on marked trails, check in with winter campers, assist with snowshoe programs and snow play, relay information about wildlife, as well as staff the visitor center desk.

If you love snowshoeing or skiing or you just love being on the mountain and want to help out, we will be holding a Snow Rover training on December 10th at the Longmire Community building. Training will include how to snow rove safely as well as Leave No Trace principles. We will send out the day’s agenda by early December. Please RSVP to the email below.

If you have questions feel free to email the rover coordinators Curt Jacquot and Bill Marsh at MORA_Meadow_Rovers@nps.gov.

Meadow Rover and Interpretation training scheduled

Dear Meadow Rovers:

Spring is on its way and we are looking ahead to a busy summer. We want to make you aware of some training opportunities that will be taking place in June. Our seasonal training will happen on May 31-June 4 and June 8-June 10. The first week will be for the interpretive staff and for those volunteers that will be presenting programs. The second week we will be bringing in subject matter experts and is open to all that are interested in attending. The training schedule will be sent out once it has been finalized.

Training for Meadow Rovers will also take place in June. We will be doing things a little differently by having training for new meadow rovers on Saturday, June 25 in the park. Meadow Rovers that have not attended training in the past are also invited. An agenda will be sent out with a request to RSVP.

Specialized training for experienced meadow rovers will take place on Sunday, June 26. We are currently looking to have this training take place at the Mountaineers’ facility in Tacoma. We will be bringing in a representative from Leave No Trace to talk about the concepts of minimal impact to the resources and how to share that information with visitors. Once the agenda has been developed we will send it out asking you to RSVP as we will be limited to 40 people.

As we look ahead, we would like to begin offering more specialized training for returning meadow rovers. If you have any suggests for topics and/or types of training you feel would be beneficial please email Mora_Meadow_Rovers@nps.gov. Please put “Training” in the subject line. We will use your ideas as we plan for trainings in the future.

Stay tuned for more information on the June trainings.
 
- Christine Czazasty
East District Interpreter

Reminder: FREE Living History training this Saturday!

In case you missed it the first time, don't miss our announcement of free Living History training at Mount Rainier National Park this Saturday, September 11, 2010! We'll spend the day working with an expert in presenting programs about history using first-person or third-person techniques. This is an exciting opportunity to make the history of Mount Rainier come alive!

The class is filling up rapidly, but there are still a few spots left, so give West District Interpreter Lee Snook a call today to reserve your space!

Living History Training

Become a living part
of Mount Rainier's history!

September 11, 2010
8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Education Center at Tahoma Woods, Ashford, Mount Rainier National Park (click link for map)

Mount Rainier National Park is looking to develop a cadre of living history volunteers to research, develop and present living history programs in first and third person. Hoping to build on the popularity of the Shadows of the Past program, we have invited Living History Reenactor and Professional Storyteller Karen S. Hass to present a one-day workshop for staff and volunteers interested in exploring this medium of interpretation.

Subjects covered will include first and third person interpretation; costumes; how to research your character; storytelling; and more. There will be role playing and work in small groups. Come prepared to interact with your fellow participants.

While there is no other time commitment required beyond attending the workshop, our hope is that participants will work with park Interpretive staff to research, develop and present living history programs in the park. If you have a passion for the Mountain, an interest in history, enjoy dressing up and would like to perform for the many visitors of Mount Rainier, please contact Lee Snook by September 7th at Lee_Snook@nps.gov or 360.569.2211 x 6043 to RSVP for this free training. Space is limited.

The volunteer campground at Longmire is available to participants of the workshop for the nights of September 10 and/or 11. Let us know when your RSVP if you plan to use this resource, in order to reserve a spot.

Lee Snook

West District Interpreter
Mount Rainier National Park

Invite for Meadow Rover Training

Greetings! The time is close at hand for Meadow Rover Training. We are excited to get you all up and running for the summer. Please find the agenda below. It is a jam-packed day and hope the addition of break out sessions will be of interest to you seasoned Rovers. We will be in the Longmire community building. If you turn into the housing area at Longmire and follow the road up and over the bridge you will eventually come to the Community Building. Please bring a sack lunch. We will have coffee, however we are asking you to help us stay green and bring your own mug.

If you have questions please call Erin Whittaker at 360.569.2211 x 3414, or email her at Erin_Whittaker@nps.gov
Meadow Rover Training
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Community Building, Longmire

9:30 Welcome and introductions
Kevin Bacher, Volunteer and Outreach Program Manager

9:45 The role of Volunteers and Meadow Rovers at Mount Rainier
Kevin Bacher

10:00 Informal Interpretation and Creative Communication Techniques
Julia Pinnix

10:45 Logistics and Resources for Meadow Roving
Lee Snook/ Erin Whittaker, Paradise Interpretation
Christine Czazasty, Sunrise Interpretation
Kevin Bacher

11:30 Lunch and New Rover Registration

12:15 Keeping Wildlife Wild
Alyssa Herr, Wildlife Biologist

1:00 Subalpine Ecology and the Revegetation Program
Will Arnesen, Restoration Ecologist

1:45 Resource and Visitor Protection
Jordan Mammel, West District Wilderness Ranger

2:30 Snow Roving
Jennifer Glyzinski, Backcountry Maintenance

3:15 Break out sessions. Pick one break out session to attend.
Jen Glyzinski: Trail projects
Jordan Mammel: Pre-SAR (Search and Rescue)
Will Arnesen: Q & A about revegitation and meadows
Alyssa Herr: Fox Protection and Keep Wildlife Wild Weekend
Erin Whittaker: Mentoring and visitor center assist

4:00 Adjourn

Interpretation Training open to all VIPs

The Interpretation department at Mount Rainier will be hosting their annual Summer Seasonal Training June 1-5 and June 8-12. It is open for all volunteers to attend and encouraged particularly for those working closely with park visitors in education and interpretation. This is a great opportunity for our volunteers to learn about the park history, ecology, glaciers, geology, safety concerns etc. A special focus will be on developing interpretive educational programs and working with visitors throughout the week.

To view the full Summer Seasonal Training schedule go to this link. http://www.nps.gov/mora/supportyourpark/upload/2010%20Summer%20Training%20Schedule.1.pdf

* Please note that the training locations will vary by day.

If you're interested in attending any of the training sessions please RSVP to Christine Czazasty at christine_czazasty@nps.gov so we can reserve your space!

Volunteers walking backward

...off the edge of a cliff!



I got a call Friday afternoon from ranger Daniel Camiccia, inviting me to join him in witnessing a training exercise by the park's climbing team above Christine Falls. One of the members of this year's team is Arlington Ashby, who has served for several years as a volunteer climbing ranger.

David Gottlieb, who was running the exercise, enthused about several other volunteers who will be joining the team later this summer, as part of a partnership with the Khumbu Climbing School in Phortse, Nepal. Last summer the climbing program hosted one such Nepali climber, and David is optimistic of working with several more this summer. Our rangers gain a lot from working alongside these expert Himalayan climbers, and they, in turn, get experience on our great northwest volcano.

David explained that today's exercise was a psychological one, as much as anything: the team had been practicing on 20-foot walls earlier in the week, and needed a reminder that 80 feet is, for all practical purposes, no different, despite looking more dramatic. The risks are the same, and the techniques for effecting a rescue safely are the same as well. If such a rescue is ever needed, it needs to feel familiar.

Meanwhile, our rangers were carefully roping up, setting up belays and other complicated spiderwebs of equipment that I don't have the vocabulary to describe. Arlington was designated the ranger who would go over the cliff, and another ranger volunteered to be the "victim," packaged into a litter to be lowered over the edge and hauled back up. I took up position on the other side of the canyon and watched as Arlington carefully backed off the edge, guiding the litter down the cliff as Van Trump Creek thundered below. To my right, I could see occasional visitors walking on the Christine Falls bridge, taking photos with the waterfall behind them, just out of sign of the climbers spidering down the precipice above.

Arlington reached the bottom of the cliff and turned to flash me a thumbs up; then, after a few minutes, began climbing back up the cliff again, as his teammates hauled on the rope above.

The whole exercise took about half an hour to set up, and less than that to carry out. As the rangers set about dismantling their ropes, I gave them a wave across the canyon and returned to my car at the trailhead. All in a day's work for our climbing rangers and volunteers. Here's hoping the summer is full of training and empty of practical application!

2009 Meadow Rover Training

Mount Rainier National Park's annual Meadow Rover training occurred on Saturday, June 27, with 61 rovers in attendance, including 38 who were brand new to the program. Welcome to all of our new volunteers!

Meadow Rovers patrol the trails at Paradise, Sunrise, and elsewhere, educating visitors about the importance of staying on the trails for the protection of the fragile subalpine meadow plants. With limited paid staff available to do this, Meadow Rovers are invaluable partners in the efforts to protect Mount Rainier's natural resources and serve its visitors.

The rovers heard from a wide variety of presenters, including Kevin Bacher, Julia Pinnix, and Curt Jacquot, who discussed the logistics of the program and shared ideas for creative communication and interpretation; Alyssa Herr, who presented information about habituated wildlife; Will Arnesen, who described subalpine ecology, revegetation, and trail maintenance; and Daniel Camiccia, who covered procedures for addressing law enforcement and emergency medical issues. The course took place in the Common Room of the Paradise Guide House, in cooperation with Guest Services Incorporated.

Meadow Rover Resources are online for those who would like to learn more! Visit our Meadow Rover project page for a wealth of downloadable materials, including our 2009 Meadow Rover Handbook. Copies of the wildlife and ecology powerpoints will be added soon, as well as an education video on informal interpretation. A free volunteer discussion group is also available, which includes an interactive calendar suitable for finding (or offering) carpool opportunities.

Even if you missed the formal training day, you can still sign up. Fill out one of our online applications, and then plan to join us any Saturday throughout the summer, at 10:30 at Paradise's Jackson Visitor Center or at 10:00 at the Sunrise Visitor Center. Experienced "Meadow Rover Mentors" have committed to attending these weekly meetings to help guide new Rovers in "learning the ropes" and gaining experience of their own.

Meadow Rover Mentors are still needed for dates throughout the summer. If you'd like to participate, please contact Nick Abel, and sign up online for the dates you're available at either Paradise or Sunrise.

SCA Safety Intern Training

As some of you may have heard, from Monday, June 15 through Saturday, June 20, Mount Rainier will be hosting the SCA's Public Safety Internship Training. While we are always so happy to have the SCA come up and work with us, what's really cool is that Park Staff and Volunteers have been invited to come attend the training. This is the training for SCA interns from all over the country, so we're pretty lucky.

A schedule for the event is available here.

Part of this training is a Wilderness First Aid certification course. This is a nationally recognized certification that covers how to handle many of the possible medical emergencies that may occur in a wilderness setting.

The WFA course is taking all day on Wednesday, June 17 and Thursday, June 18. It costs $200 a person, and there are spots for about 10 more people. If you are interested in attending this training you should contact the event organizer, Emily Poore (e-mail: epoore@thesca.org, phone: 603.504.3339). [UPDATE: If you plan to attend, please contact Emily no later than JUNE 1.]

I would encourage any volunteers interested to take part, it should be an educational experience.

Ciao,

Nick Abel
Assistant Volunteer Coordinator

Interpetive Training UPDATE!

Many of you have been chomping at the bit to know more about the Interpretive Training program. Well wait no more, I have news.

The training is going on from Tuesday 6/2 to Saturday 6/6 and on Monday 6/8 and Tuesday 6/9 with extra sessions taking place June 10, 11, and 12.

The training is open to ALL Park Staff AND Volunteers who wish to join. It starts at 8:00 AM each day and goes till 4 or 5 PM. The entir.e event is free and features a mix of lectures by Park Staff and field trips out into the park. Most of the training will happen at Longmire.

We have a schedule available here for download, but it is still rough, and some of the items on it will be subject to change.

Schedule

Keep coming back for more news as we near the training dates

Snow safety and avalanche course open to volunteers

From Mike Gauthier:

The ranger division is coordinating a Snow Safety and Avalanche course on Jan 5-7.

The Level 1 Snow Safety and and Avalanche Course is a 24 hour curriculum.

This is an excellent opportunity to build a foundation in snow safety and other avalanche related skills. This course is designed for those who regularly work in and around snow, whether on roads or in the field. It's also a great course for those who issue permits and work directly with the public, or for those who provide other visitor services (like publications) or supervise field staff. Even if you've taken a snow safety course before, consider this an opportunity to refresh your skills and get up-to-date information on snow safety, avalanche assessment, avalanche avoidance, and rescue.

Students who successfully complete the course will be Level 1 certified by the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education ( AIARE ).

Please let Stefan Lofgren know if you have questions or would like to attend the course. Space is limited and we expect it to fill. Tuition for it is $275 per student.

Mike Gauthier
Mount Rainier National Park
360 569 2211

Weekend Report: First aid training and CLCs

This past weekend's Wilderness First Aid course went well, with another large group of volunteers in attendance for coursework offered by Aerie Backcountry Medicine and sponsored by the Student Conservation Association and Boeing Corporation. Here's a couple of pictures from the training. The makeup looks very real, doesn't it?!

By the way, Wilderness First Responder, from September 7-14, is right on the verge of having enough registrants to proceed. If you're thinking about participating, or know a fellow volunteer who might want to, sign up now so we can confirm with Aerie. With funding assistance from Boeing, this intensive course will likely be offered at less than half its usual cost.

Our Mount Rainier Recovery Corps has also been busy working with the second group of Conservation Leadership Corps students [corrected], an SCA program that recruits young people from local urban communities to gain experience working on volunteer teams in national parks. Here's a picture from this weekend of the crew working on trail construction in the washed-out section of the Westside Road.