US Land management agencies
These agencies rely extensively upon volunteers to provide services, such
as trail clearing and blazing, to backcountry users. Not all locations are
open to using volunteer assistance on trails. As recently as 1972 some
national parks were turning away volunteer assistance but much has changed
with budget cuts and new administrators.
US Forest Service
Fire trail, ski trail, and hiking trail maintenance. Contact regional
headquarters or specific forest HQ. Usually there will be an individual
responsible for coordinating volunteer efforts. In some cases the
coordinator may mix volunteers with paid professional crews. $7 to $15 per
diem may be available under some circumstances.
Passport in Time
Assist the Forest Service in archaeological digs, historical restorations
and similar projects. Approx. 120 projects for summer 1996. Volunteers
usually camp at project site, meals are sometimes provided. Expect to
sweat. 1-800-821-9176
Some contacts
Tonto National Forest, Payson Ranger District
(Mazatzal Wilderness)
1009 E Highway 260, Payson AZ 85541
Walt Thole: (ph)520-474-7900,
(fax)520-474-7966
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, Alpine Ranger District
(Blue Range Primitive Area)
Box 469, Alpine AZ 85920
Don Hoffman: (ph)520-339-4384
US Park Service
Also contact the park you are interested in. Volunteer park guides,
backcountry trash collection, trail work, archaeology site protection.
The program is "Volunteers in National Parks" or "VIP" for short.
Volunteers can do most anything; some volunteer to work the front
information desk or lead hikes or give evening campground programs (probably
what you regard as a "volunteer ranger") while others do research, or
maintenance, or whatever. Some are college students, looking for good
experience, some are retirees who donate some very valued skills. Some
areas can offer free or reduced-rate housing, though they usually require a
minimum time guarantee (24 hours a week, for example), while others can only
provide you with a uniform shirt and possibly some mileage reimbursement for
your personal vehicle. Contact the "VIP" Coordinator at whatever park
you're interested in, and they'll fill you in on their particular needs.
US Bureau of Land Management
VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS
Contact: Mary Tisdale
Room 1275, LS
Bureau of Land Management
1849 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20240
202/452-5078 Fax: 202/452-5199
E-mail: Mtisdale@wo0033wp.wo.blm.gov
US Fish and Wildlife Service
Note that employment and volunteer are synonyms in this directory. Also
contact regional headquarters. Generally these projects will involve animal
habitat inventory, census, bird banding, etc. Not much trail work but
expect to spend most of your time outdoors. For a printed listing of all
refugees with address and name of the manager call 703-358-1744
Trail Maintenance Text Resources
Trail Building and Maintenance
Proudman and Rajala. $12.95
Appalachian Mountain Club 288 pp
ISBN 0-910146-30-6
Trail maintenance problems and procedures for the Appalachian Trail. Most
trail systems follow many of their guidelines with variations for local
conditions. Does not cover trails for horse packing.
Tools of the Trail
American Hiking Society
P.O. Box 20160
Washington, DC. 20041-2160
Resource bibliography $5.00
Volunteering Text Resources
Helping in the Outdoors (annual listing in November)
American Hiking Society
$7.00 single; $18 for 3 yr subscription.
Comprehensive list of volunteer opportunities on public lands
Volunteer Vacations
(4th ed. Periodically revised)
McMillon. $11.95
Chicago Review Press
814 N. Franklin Street
Chicago, IL 60610
ISBN 1-55652-179-0
Organizing Outdoor Volunteers
Moore, LaFarge, and Tracy. $4.95
Appalachian Mountain Club 288 pp
ISBN 1-878239-16-3
