Volunteer Opportunities
Welcome to the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest! Are you interested in the outdoors? Would you like to help in the management of this great forest?
Become a Forest Service volunteer.
There's a wide range of interesting and educational opportunities available for you to enjoy. Volunteers do everything from constructing and maintaining trails to serving as campground hosts, wilderness guides, research assistants, clerks, writers, and photographers.
Although you will not receive pay for your work as a volunteer, there are other benefits. Many people are happy to be able to 'give back' something to the lands they've enjoyed using over the years. Others look upon the work as a chance to get career-related work experience or take a break from their regular routines. The hours are flexible, too. In some cases, volunteers can be compensated for some out-of-pocket expenses such as travel, food, and lodging.
There is no minimum age for volunteering, so whole families can participate. However, a volunteer under 18 needs written consent from a parent or guardian. Volunteers are not considered federal employees, but they do receive legal protection as well as insurance for work-related injuries.
Come join us! Being a Forest Service volunteer just might be one of the most memorable experiences you'll ever have.
Take a look at the volunteer opportunities listed below, contact one of our Ranger District offices for more information or visit the national Forest Service Volunteer website.
Cle Elum Ranger District
803 West Second Street
Cle Elum, WA 98922
(509) 852-1100
Volunteer Opportunities
Red Top Lookout
Host/Interpreter/Lookout Observer
This volunteer opportunity at Red Top Lookout is definitely suited for someone who enjoys moments of solitude but who can also enjoy talking to and greeting those who visit the recently restored, historic Red Top Lookout located on Teanaway Ridge on the Cle Elum Ranger District. The lookout is located in an area where watchable wildlife and rock hounding opportunities abound. If interested, volunteers can also be trained to do fire lookout observer duties (keeping watch for and reporting signs of smoke to Forest Dispatchers via radio). Other duties would include monitoring and caring for the lookout recreation site, checking trailhead passes, collecting litter, providing information to the public, and helping with other projects as time, interest, and energy allow. The Cle Elum District has plans to develop the lookout into an interpretive attraction, so volunteers who have creative writing or graphics skills are especially encouraged to contact the ranger district office.
Needed: Volunteers willing to work at the lookout over key summer weekdays. Lodging is available at the lookout. For those who stay at the lookout they will need to bring their own sleeping bag, mat, and cooking equipment. Unfortunately, no mileage or per diem stipend are available for lookout volunteers this summer due to budget reductions. For more information please contact Kim Larned at the Cle Elum Ranger District, (509) 852-1062.
Respect the River
Public Outreach Program
for Watershed Restoration
Public outreach volunteers are needed to contact and educate recreationists who use dispersed campsites in riparian areas along some of the main rivers and streams in the Cle Elum Ranger District. Key areas targeted include the Cle Elum Valley, the Teanaway, and Swauk. Volunteers talk to campers about responsible camping practices, watershed issues, and address any general comments and concerns that may come up. This program will occur on Saturdays during July and August 2000. Volunteers work a minimum of one Saturday per month. A Forest Service volunteer uniform/identification and transportation to the site, and mileage or a stipend can be provided. In addition, some lodging may be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. So, if you like talking with people and think education is an important component to solving environmental problems in the National Forest, please contact Bill Dowdy at the Cle Elum Ranger District office at (509) 852-1100 to apply.
Respect the River
Adopt-A-Site Program Volunteer Opportunity
Volunteers are needed to monitor and provide feedback on heavily used dispersed camping areas located in riparian areas along rivers and streams on the Cle Elum Ranger District. If you camp or recreate in a certain area several time a year and would like to help by being the "eyes and ears" for the Forest Service in gathering monitoring information about the impacts occurring in heavily used dispersed camping areas, please call Bill Dowdy at the Cle Elum Ranger District office at (509) 852-1100.
Respect the River
Night Snorkeling Program
Volunteer Opportunity
Please join us as we look for the elusive bull trout. The Cle Elum Ranger District will be operating a night snorkeling program during the months of July and August, 2000 to determine the presence of aquatic species and their productivity. Snorkelers need to bring their own wet or dry suit if they have one, but some suits may be available for those who don't have their own. Volunteer opportunities for bank strollers are also available. Bank strollers are welcome to assist with note taking and assisting with safety measures. A stipend or reimbursement for mileage can be provided. To learn more about the program please call Bill Dowdy at the Cle Elum Ranger District office at (509) 852-1100.
Trail or Wilderness Individual Project
Volunteer Opportunities
Rather than try to list all of these individual projects separately, we have lumped them together here under the Wilderness Individual Project category. There are many types of trail maintenance that we can use help with on a one-time basis (as opposed to adopting a trail). Volunteers can remove brush from a particular stretch of trail, clean out waterbars, pull weeds, etc.
Needed: Individuals, groups, or families. If your group would like to do a one-time project, please contact us to discuss possible projects. Please call Jim Bannister or Tim Foss at (509) 852-1069 for more information.
Naches Ranger District
10061 Highway 12
Naches, WA 98937
(509) 653-2205 (Voice/TTY)
Fax: (509) 653-2638
Volunteer Opportunities
VOLUNTEER CAMPGROUND HOSTS NEEDED
Have you ever thought of spending your summer in the beautiful Cascade mountains? If you are the type who enjoys the great outdoors and meeting lots of interesting people, we have a deal for you! Campground hosts are needed for both North and South areas in Clear Lake Campground. This campground is very popular with fishing being a favorite pastime for many campers. The host site for the South side is directly across from the boat launch area and has a wonderful view of Clear Lake. The host site on the North side will be located along Clear Creek. Camping at these sites will be free for the length of stay (preferably all season, but this is negotiable) in return for providing information to campers and other recreationists and some light maintenance. There may be more opportunities to place hosts at other campground sites within the Naches Ranger District. If spending your summer in the mountains appeals to you, contact the Naches Ranger Station for further details.
