The National Visitor Survey is an information collection of visitors to National Wildlife Refuges via a survey instrument with the expressed goal of providing refuge managers, planners, and visitor services specialists with a better understanding of visitors’ recreational, educational and informational experiences, as well as visitors’ satisfaction with current services, access, and facilities. Survey results will provide information on the following aspects of National Wildlife Refuge visitation:

• Visitor and Trip Characteristics – key characteristics of national wildlife refuge visitors and visitation, including demographics, activities conducted on and uses of the refuge, recreation participation, and characteristics of a visit (e.g., amount of time, group size and type, number of visits).
• Visitor Spending in Local Communities – visitor spending and willingness?to?pay for the refuge experience.
• Visitor Opinions about the Refuge – importance of and satisfaction with services and facilities; recreational opportunities; transportation?related features; and fees.
• Visitor Opinions about NWRS?wide Topics – visitors’ understanding of the unique mission of the NWRS and the resources refuges protect; visitors’ likelihood of using alternative transportation options in the future; and visitors’ personal involvement in and beliefs about climate change.

Volunteers will contact approximately 160 visitors at the refuge during each sampling period for a total of 320 participants who agreed to fill out a survey. The survey is not given to visitors onsite. Survey recruiters only collect visitor names and addresses. USGS then corresponds by mail with visitors within 10 days of the onsite contact following a standardized sequence of postcards and full survey packets. All visitors who agree to participate are able to complete a survey online or by mail. Completed surveys are then returned to and analyzed by USGS scientists. In the 2010/2011 effort, about half of visitors chose to complete the survey online.

The National Visitor Survey is an information collection of visitors to National Wildlife Refuges via a survey instrument with the expressed goal of providing refuge managers, planners, and visitor services specialists with a better understanding of visitors’ recreational, educational and informational experiences, as well as visitors’ satisfaction with current services, access, and facilities. Survey results will provide information on the following aspects of National Wildlife Refuge visitation:

• Visitor and Trip Characteristics – key characteristics of national wildlife refuge visitors and visitation, including demographics, activities conducted on and uses of the refuge, recreation participation, and characteristics of a visit (e.g., amount of time, group size and type, number of visits).
• Visitor Spending in Local Communities – visitor spending and willingness?to?pay for the refuge experience.
• Visitor Opinions about the Refuge – importance of and satisfaction with services and facilities; recreational opportunities; transportation?related features; and fees.
• Visitor Opinions about NWRS?wide Topics – visitors’ understanding of the unique mission of the NWRS and the resources refuges protect; visitors’ likelihood of using alternative transportation options in the future; and visitors’ personal involvement in and beliefs about climate change.

Volunteers will contact approximately 160 visitors at the refuge during each sampling period for a total of 320 participants who agreed to fill out a survey. The survey is not given to visitors onsite. Survey recruiters only collect visitor names and addresses. USGS then corresponds by mail with visitors within 10 days of the onsite contact following a standardized sequence of postcards and full survey packets. All visitors who agree to participate are able to complete a survey online or by mail. Completed surveys are then returned to and analyzed by USGS scientists. In the 2010/2011 effort, about half of visitors chose to complete the survey online.

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.

WHEN: Saturday, October 27th from 8:30am to noon, with a BBQ lunch to follow.

WHERE: Meet at the intersection of Dillon Rd and Fargo Canyon Rd (I-10 E to Dillon, head north 3 miles to Fargo Canyon Rd). Alternatively, volunteers can meet at 7:30am to carpool from the BLM office at 1201 Bird Center Drive, Palm Springs

WHY: The BLM and local residents seek assistance with cleanup efforts within Fargo Canyon. This canyon is adjacent to Joshua Tree National Park, and as such, is a gateway to the park. Cleaning the area will benefit local wildlife by returning the area back to its natural setting, and residents of the Coachella Valley will be able to enjoy this scenic canyon even more.

WHAT TO BRING: Gloves will be provided; however, supplies are limited, so volunteers are encouraged to bring their own personal supplies including sunscreen, hat, closed toed shoes, etc. Light snacks and drinks (waters, Gatorade) will be provided as well as a BBQ lunch afterwards.

Volunteers must RSVP by October 24th to ensure enough lunch for everyone!! Contact Jennifer Taylor, Volunteer Coordinator at 760-833-7117 or by email at j5taylor@blm.gov for more information.

Community service hours can be verified and groups of all sizes are encouraged to join us (just let us know how many in your group so we can be sure to have enough supplies for everyone)

Dress Code: Sturdy clothes that can get a little dirty. Closed shoes required, no sandals or flip flops please. Hat and sunscreen are recommended. Call the San Diego River Park foundation at 619.297.7380 or email us at volunteer@sandiegoriver.org to register your group or to get more info.