The Refuge has had a robust volunteer program over the last decade, over 42,000 hours of time! Over 400 Volunteers have made large contributions to following programs and/or activities: visitor services (hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, wildlife photography, environmental education and interpretation), maintenance, biology, weed control, restoration, water control, archaeology, IT, GIS, art, farming practices, carpentry, administration, etc.

So, who can be a Volunteer? An individual who performs hours of service for a public agency for civic, charitable, or humanitarian reasons, without promise, expectation or receipt of compensation for services rendered, is considered to be a volunteer during such hours. The Refuge has incorporated many volunteers through the national Retired Senior Volunteer Program locally based in Hamilton, MT. Children under 18 may volunteer given signed permission by their parents on the Volunteer Services Agreement form.

What can a Volunteer do on this Refuge? Here's a partial bullet list:

Maintenance

• Check hiking trails
• Cleaning up litter/trash
• Maintain buildings
• Perform general maintenance duties
• Landscaping
• Become certified on heavy equipment to assist with weed control, restoration work

Administrative

• Answer and direct phone calls
• Research and compile information
• Monitor visitation
• Staff Bookstore outlet

Resourse Management

• Conduct plant inventory
• Conduct animal censuses/surveys
• Establish, fence and water native plantings
• Remove noxious weeds
• Clean and monitor nest boxes
• Maintain and refurbish trails

Public Use

• Catalog/clean Visitor Center collections
• Interact with visitors 
• Conduct biological programs and interpret resources for visitors
• Interpret land use and cultural histories for visitors
• Develop artwork
• Develop educational materials
• Collect/transcribe oral histories

The Refuge has two concrete pads with water, sewer and power hook-ups (50 amp) for those folks that "workamp". In order to qualify for a "workamper" slot, folks must work 24 hours/week for at least 2 months of the period between May and September. The requirement for becoming a non-workamping volunteer has much lower threshold...a volunteer typically works one-four hour morning or afternoon shift per week. Here is a pdf illustrating the rights and responsibilities of Volunteers and Refuge Staff on National Wildlife Refuges.

Interested in volunteering? Contact staff with questions or please fill out this Volunteer application form (skills and abilities assessment) to apply for a position. Return to Bob Danley by email (bob_danley@fws.gov). Thank you for your support.