FRIENDS OF THE DILLON RANGER DISTRICT

Forest Stewards Volunteer Program and Job Descriptions

Program Description

In its third summer season, the Forest Stewards Program, FDRD's ongoing volunteer program, includes the following initiatives: Trail Crew Leaders, Ranger Patrols, Outreach Educators, Youth Stewards, Family Stewards, and Adopt-A-Trail efforts. Each initiative involves leadership training and education for the Stewards for the particular initiative, as well as cross training and education on all initiatives and other DRD volunteer opportunities.

Goals of Program

*   Maintaining and improving Summit County's natural resources

*   Improving the quality of the multiple-use recreationist's experience, both for locals and guests, on our local National Forest lands

*   Increasing awareness of our local National Forest lands and our related role in them

*   Educating the users on issues such as responsible use and ethics, forest regulations and values, safety, and stewardship

*   Increasing communication between the multiple-use recreationist and forest service representatives, to more effectively meet the user's needs

*   Taking inventory of various information, including the number and type of recreational users and the number and type of invasive plant species

*   Maintaining and improving a safe and sustainable trail system

*   Providing leadership training and education for our volunteer stewards

*   Connecting community members (year-round residents, second home owners, and Summit County guests) to each other and to our local National Forest lands

The Need For The Program

Forest Stewards Program is necessary to help maintain Summit County's high quality of life and stable economy. Our local National Forest lands are the main reason we live here and guests visit here. The White River National Forest (WRNF) is the most visited recreation forest in the nation with over 9.6 million user days - more visitors than Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, or Rocky Mountain National Parks combined - with half of these user days taking place in Summit County.

While the user days on these lands continue to dramatically increase, recreation funding for on-the-ground projects is unable to keep pace. This program will increase FDRD's volunteer base and help leverage our current stewardship efforts, in an effort to help reverse the declining condition of these lands that results from increasing user days and decreasing funds. Increasing use necessitates increasing stewardship!

In addition, by participating in this and other FDRD programs, community members will feel more connected to each other and to their local National Forest lands. In a survey conducted by Northwest Colorado Council of Governments, approximately 90% of Summit County respondents value recreation opportunities, yet approximately only 42% feel a connection to our community. FDRD's programs can help connect our interest in recreation with our connection we feel to our community, in order to create a healthier Summit County.

Benefits to Volunteer Stewards

*   An opportunity to make a difference on National Forest lands and to contribute to the solutions of the challenges facing the Forest Service

*   An opportunity to work with dedicated local citizens who share a common respect for the outdoors

*   An opportunity to give back to the lands that you enjoy

*   An opportunity to connect to these community members and to these local National Forest lands

*   An opportunity to participate in educational experiences sponsored by FDRD

*   Notification of upcoming volunteer projects

*   Demonstration to young people a positive way to make a difference on National Forest lands

*   A direct communication link with Forest Service managers

*   Flexibility to schedule your time and where you work

Job Description and Requirements

Titles:

1. Volunteer Trail Crew Leaders: lead crews in the maintenance of trails. They will scout trails, take inventory of trail maintenance needs, train a crew and lead them on a monthly trail project. They will participate in training sessions and in at least one project per month.

Summer Schedule

2. Volunteer Ranger Patrols: provide education outreach to the public - make the public aware of how to enjoy our public lands, while minimizing their impact. They will survey the number and type of users, the users' needs, and quality of their experience. As well, they will survey the number, and type, of non-native plant species. Volunteers will not provide regulation enforcement. They will participate in two training sessions and in one mentored patrol day.

Summer Schedule

3. Volunteer Outreach Educators: include the following roles: front desk support at DRD office, hosts at trailheads; and in future years, naturalists at local ski resorts, and facilitators for forums. They will survey visitors' needs and quality of their experience. They will participate in two training sessions and in one mentored trailhead host day.

Summer Schedule

4. Volunteer Adopt-A-Trail Groups: adopt one trail - taking part in trail maintenance, ranger patrol, and trailhead host efforts, in coordination with these three initiatives. They will participate in two training sessions and one mentored patrol day.

Summer Schedule

5. Volunteer Youth Stewards: participate in various FDRD projects throughout the summer. Youth Stewards interested in leadership training will assist the Volunteer Coordinator in coordinating 8 service projects, in the following efforts: creation and distribution of flyers, creation of media information, solicitation of food and beverage donations, recruitment of volunteers, and participation in the projects. They will participate in one training session and will be mentored throughout the summer.

Summer Schedule

6. Volunteer Family Stewards: participate in Ranger Patrol efforts mentioned above. Families may also choose to join various FDRD projects throughout the summer. They will participate in two training sessions and one mentored patrol day.

Summer Schedule

Key Responsibilities Include::

*   Follow Program procedures, as outlined in the Manual and Job Hazard Analysis

*   Attend required training(s)

*   Sign up for a minimum of four (4) days work

*   Practice Tread Lightly/Leave No Trace principles while on duty

*   Wear authorized uniforms and nametags

*   Be responsible for own personal safety

*   Complete required reports

*   Relay information to the USFS on general conditions and emergencies

*   Communicate, in a timely fashion, when they are unable to work so schedules can be adjusted.

Qualifications Required:

*   All Forest Stewards are representatives of FDRD and the USFS and will maintain a positive, friendly, non-confrontational attitude with the community and/or visitors they contact while volunteering.

*   All Forest Stewards must be healthy enough to perform duties on or at trails and trailheads. This may include standing, hiking, lifting up to 50 pounds in rough terrain at high elevations ranging from 9,000 to 13,000 feet.

*   All Forest Stewards must enjoy communicating with different people.

Volunteers Will Provide:

*   Transportation to/from the trailhead

*   Personal gear, including food and water, hiking and backpacking gear, and boots

FDRD/DRD will provide:

*   Uniforms

*   Nametags

*   Informational materials and training sessions

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Volunteers are requested to become paid members of Friends of the Dillon Ranger District (FDRD). Adults can become a paid member for as low as $35 annually. Youth membership is $15. This small fee helps pay for the Forest Stewards program. Uniform and tools provided to the Volunteer by FDRD remains property of FDRD, and must be returned at the end of the season.

FDRD thanks you for your contribution to our Forest Stewards Program!

FDRD may terminate this Agreement at any time by notifying the other party in writing.

For More Information:

CLICK HERE TO contact Maggie Gaddis, Program Manager

Application Process

Apply NOW - Application deadline is April 23, 2008.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY VIA ONLINE WEB FORM

Privacy Disclosure: Forest Stewards Application data will be shared with the U.S. Forest Service. If you have any questions concerning the use of your information, please contact us before filling out and submitting any of these forms.