Grand Canyon National Park - Volunteer (U.S. National Park Service)

Canyon Sketches Vol 02 - April 2008
Volunteers Help Control Invasive Plants
Invasive plants such as Sahara mustard pose a serious ecological threat to Grand Canyon. Volunteers have made important contributions towards controlling this aggressive invader over the last few years. Volunteer trips with Science and Resource Management’s vegetation program are fun and educational and give people who love Grand Canyon the opportunity to help preserve park resources.

On the ground conservation work at Grand Canyon and the Colorado Plateau. http://www.gcvolunteers.org/

Volunteer opportunities at Grand Canyon or at other national park sites: http://www.volunteer.gov/gov/

Why are you wearing a green shirt ?

Do you work here? How did you get this job? We are volunteers. My colleagues range in age from 18–75 and work in natural resources, interpretation, maintenance, even the park’s library. Last year 1,248 volunteers contributed 31,120 hours to Grand Canyon National Park. We come from all walks of life and have very different goals. One of us has spent eighteen years working as a resource protection volunteer at Phantom Ranch, while another works in the warehouse. A cadre of condor watchers spent more than 1,400 hours observing a nest from the South Rim. The one characteristic we all share is our love of Grand Canyon.

Let me share my story. I am in my seventh season with the Division of Interpretation at Grand Canyon, my sixth national park. Eight years ago, I retired as a professor of Physical Education at Pacific Lutheran University. Because I cannot sit still, nor live a life that is not centered in giving, I looked for a creative outlet. National park areas are national treasures that I believe are underappreciated. I made a commitment to help save these special places.

One of the challenges of coming to a new area is learning enough to help visitors appreciate and understand the park and its mission. Volunteers receive training, but most of the in depth learning comes from reading and working with rangers who share their insights and knowledge.

It is a joy for me to get up each morning and drive or walk the rim to work. The serenity and ever-changing beauty give me great satisfaction. I love to share the stories of this magnificent place. The interest of others gives me energy to keep going. In what other job or volunteer position could I combine all the things I enjoy?

I have talked with hundreds of visitors and have written new exhibit text for the displays in Tusayan Museum. I have hiked the canyon trails while in uniform to provide a presence, some extra water, or words of encouragement to hikers. My challenge each day is to find ways to make visitors' experiences better.

The next time you see a volunteer in a green shirt with a National Park Service volunteer patch on the sleeve, know that we want to answer your questions or tell you what we are doing here. We do not take the place of park employees, but supplement and assist them in any way we can. We are prepared, well informed, and love our jobs.

Should you hear the call of the canyon and are interested in volunteer opportunities here or at other national park sites visit http://www.volunteer.gov/gov/

Once you apply on-line, your application will be sent on to the selecting official for consideration. You will be contacted by the selecting official if your skills meet that position's requirements.

The National Park Service would like to thank Sara Officer, the author of this article, and all the volunteers who have contributed their time and talents to this and other NPS areas.