Volunteer Project: Volunteers will remove brush and weeds from the fence line, launch sites, and berms surrounding the missile barns in preparation for the Veterans Reunion event on October 21, 2012. Attending volunteers will also enjoy a tour of the Nike Missile Site.

Volunteers will meet at 8:00am in the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center parking lot. Be prepared for hot and humid weather. Participants are required to wear long-sleeved shirts, sneakers, and long pants to protect against exposure to sun, biting insects, poisonwood, and ivy. Please bring a lunch, refillable water bottle, hat, and sunglasses. Storms are common this time of year so be equipped for rain.

Participating volunteers will receive a free entry pass, enabling each volunteer to visit the Everglades for free again and share this unique National Park with their family and friends. All are invited. To volunteer, show up or RSVP with Kevin Bowles Mohr at (305) 242-7752

Directions: Address of Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center: 40001 SR 9336, Homestead, FL 33034

From the Miami area and northern destinations should take the Florida Turnpike (Route 821) south until it ends merging with U.S.1 at Florida City. Turn right at the first traffic light onto Palm Drive (State Road 9336/SW 344th St.) and follow the signs to the park. The Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center will be on the right. Volunteers driving north from the Florida Keys should turn left on Palm Drive in Florida City and follow the signs to the park.

The project site falls within the Steele Peak SKR Reserve, an area set aside for the protection and management of the federally endangered Stephen’s Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys stephensi). Illegal dumping and misuse of the area has resulted in an accumulation of garbage including household refuse, broken target boards, spent shotgun shells, and other items littering the ground. Removal of the garbage will return the area back to its natural setting, thus enhancing the habitat for SKR. Using a variety of hand tools such as rakes and garbage pickers, volunteers will assist BLM staff in performing a general cleanup of the area. Gloves and some tools will be provided, but quantities are limited, so volunteers are encouraged to bring their own supplies as well. These should include personal safety supplies such as sunscreen, hat, gloves, closed toed shoes, lunch, etc. Light snacks and drinks will be provided.

Volunteers are to meet at one of the following locations to carpool to the project site:

1- Meet at the Palm Springs-South Coast BLM Office located at 1201 Bird Center Drive in Palm Springs at 6:15 AM. We will leave promptly at 6:30 AM.

2- Meet in the parking lot just west of Popeye’s Chicken located at 498 E 4th St in Perris, CA at 7:45 AM. From I-215, take the 4th St / Hwy 74 West exit. Head west on 4th street approximately ¼ mile. Popeye’s will be on the right-hand side just past Jack in the Box.

Interested parties should RSVP to Jennifer Taylor, BLM Volunteer Coordinator, at 760-833-7117 or by email at j5taylor@blm.gov.

Contact Ted_Winterfeld@nps.gov to find out where in the park we will be working this month. Come prepared for the weather, wear sunscreen, bring bug spray and water.