On Jan 13, 2008 2:13 PM, Hans Schulze <bubblecdn@No-Spam> wrote:
> Michelle's Docent idea sounds like it might work. Michelle, can you elaborate?
>
Just call the park for which you are interested in volunteering and
ask them to join the docent program. Indeed the docent guilds
typically offload a lot of the work from the park system staff.
Fremont Peak is the only exception where I've seen that the guild does
nothing for the park itself in terms of trail maintenance, naturalist
programs (other than astronomy), campground hosting, fee collection,
and park cleanup. If the park does not have a docent program, start
one! Ask them what needs to be done. Other cooperating associations
(docent programs) in other parks are usually very willing to help get
one started.
It usually requires a few days of training and a brief background
check. We worked on trails, offered a variety of naturalist and youth
programs. We provided firewood to campers, maintained and manned the
visitors center, cashiered at the park store, collected fees, built
and maintained trails, worked on eliminating non natural plants, built
exhibits, taught the junior ranger program, led guided hikes, picked
up trash, presented campfire programs, and improved campsites. The
paid park staff provided mostly law enforcement, garbage removal,
state paperwork, and maintained the water systems. Pretty much,
closing the parks will only remove the need for garbage removal since
the park staffs are already cut to the bone. They will still need to
provide law enforcement and keep the water systems running.
You are also requested to donate a certain number of hours per month.
I volunteered for Castle Rock and Portola. We were asked to donate 8
hours a month. And yes, an astronomy outreach, would count.
Volunteers who donated over 100 hours per year were given a state wide
state park pass. If you really are serious about keeping the parks
open, you need to volunteer.
Michelle
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Received on Sun Jan 13 15:20:32 2008