Kirk
Livingston, Texas.
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Quote:Last time I checked, less than half of the 550+ National Wildlife Refuges had RV sites for volunteers, but almost all have a Volunteer Program. Actually, according to the regional volunteer coordinator that I just spoke with, there are about 300 to 330 of the refuges that now have RV sites with the number growing every year. The USFWS has a very strong sense of value in the services of volunteers.
Even so, the point about volunteers who do not live on the refuge is very valid. They typically want a volunteer to stay for at least three months if they supply an RV site, but most of them do have things that just about anyone could do.
If willing to stay for a month or more, I suggest that you check with the state parks of any state you would like to visit. Most state parks have a one month minimum, a few even less. Since there is some training involved in most resident volunteer positions, one can easily understand the reason for the time asked for. Also, most places supply some type of uniforms to the resident volunteers.
Good travelin! ........Kirk
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trailertraveler
On the Road
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Kirk wrote: Actually, according to the regional volunteer coordinator that I just spoke with, there are about 300 to 330 of the refuges that now have RV sites with the number growing every year.
The Service and a lot of refuges must want to keep their resident volunteer programs a secret as the USFWS Volunteer Website last updated on July 17, 2009 lists 178 field stations with resident volunteer programs some of which are at Fish Hatcheries.
Kirk wrote: The USFWS has a very strong sense of value in the services of volunteers.
I agree.
The OP's question seemed (at least to me) to be about volunteering without strict and lengthy time commitments. Because the USFWS values volunteer service most refuges will do everything they can to accommodate volunteer requests even if for only a day or two.
Safe travels!
Trailertraveler
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jazzzen
Puyallup, WA
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"The OP's question seemed (at least to me) to be about volunteering without strict and lengthy time commitments. Because the USFWS values volunteer service most refuges will do everything they can to accommodate volunteer requests even if for only a day or two."
This is true. I am looking for a shorter time commitment. I suppose after years of being a full-timer, I'll be more willing to plant for longer periods of time, but I'm still new and completely infatuated with the moving and seeing. Kind of like a kid on Christmas
I completely understand the difficulties in training volunteers only to have them move on quickly. It doesn't benefit anyone for me to volunteer somewhere that requires that kind of training. I really like the idea of care-a-vanners. The builds are 2 weeks and you move on and can plan moves to accommodate the builds. But that will have to wait until spring as all of the winter builds on my path are full to capacity with volunteers.
In the mean time, I'm continuing to look into virtual volunteering. I'm also interested in the disaster volunteer work.
Thank you all again for your great ideas. Keep 'um comin'!
Dyana
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jazzzen
Puyallup, WA
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Oh - I'm kind of new to this forum thing. What's "OP?"
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ADAD437
New Albany,Ind. USA
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jazzzen wrote:Oh - I'm kind of new to this forum thing. What's "OP?"
Origional post or origional poster.
James,Gail & Pancho
2005 georgie boy Pursuit
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maryshus
san antonio, texas
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www.workersonwheels.com and www.coolworks.com are two site that offer a lot of volunteer positions.
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trailertraveler
On the Road
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jazzzen wrote: I really like the idea of care-a-vanners. The builds are 2 weeks and you move on and can plan moves to accommodate the builds. But that will have to wait until spring as all of the winter builds on my path are full to capacity with volunteers.
Dyana
Dyana,
We have done Care-a-vanner builds in Florida in the winter. Just about everyday that we have worked, there have been folks from the local community that show up to work. The Care-a-vanner sites may be full, but I seriously doubt that the local affiliate will turn down your offer of help. Contact them directly. Here is a link to affiliates that may be able to accomodate you at times other than scheduled builds Link. Here is a link you can use to find and contact the local affiliate anywhere in the country to see if they have a project going on when you will be there.
Another thought I had after my last post was that Boy Scouts seeking the Eagle Scout level often organize community volunteer projects to help fullfill the requirements to achieve that level. Other than the local paper, I am not sure of the best way to find out about these opportunities.
Good luck with your search!
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Kirk
Livingston, Texas.
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trailertraveler wrote:The Service and a lot of refuges must want to keep their resident volunteer programs a secret as the USFWS Volunteer Website last updated on July 17, 2009 lists 178 field stations with resident volunteer programs some of which are at Fish Hatcheries. It seems that you have some big need to attack but I will try to put my response a bit more politely, rather than to respond in kind.
To put this simply, what you have linked to is the page where volunteer coordinators can go to list any openings that they have which they are seeking people to fill at this time. For example, there are no listings at all in the state of Missouri, but we spent two months this summer at Swan Lake NWR at Sumner, MO and I assure you that there are two RV pads there and they are going to be interviewing for next summer very soon.
Yet another example is Lee Metcalf NWR near Missoula, MT where we spent three months and they have two RV pads there also. Next fall we will be volunteering at Wolf Creek Natl. Fish Hatchery, on Cumberland Lake in Kentucky, yet there are no listings at all in Kentucky.
This is only three examples, but I could list several more,so the point should be clear now. The page that you linked to only lists those locations that are presently seeking volunteers and is not a listing of every location that has facilities for RV volunteers. If you watch that page on a regular basis, you will find that facilities come and go from the listing on a frequent basis. Some stay there all of the time, but many do not.
* This post was
edited 11/22/09 06:39pm by Kirk *
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DianneOK
Donnelly, ID
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Kirk is correct. I was instrumental in gathering information on refuges and hatcheries which utilize rver's and have sites for volunteers. Many are not on that list. Many are not listed anywhere, and it took much research to ferret out those that are not. My information was turned over to the appropriate person who was going to create a website, but that never happened.
Dianne (and Terry) (Fulltimed for 9 years)
Donnelly, ID
HAM WB6N (Terry)
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trailertraveler
On the Road
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Kirk & DianneOK,
Thank you for setting me straight about the information on the website. It does not indicate that it is for current vacancies. Many listings give no indication of the time frame they are recruiting for at all.
Again,
Thanks for your insight into the inaccuracy of this information.
* This post was
edited 11/23/09 06:51am by trailertraveler *
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