Friends of the Eagles Nest Wilderness: Wilderness Volunteer

Wilderness Volunteer Program

Friends of the Eagles Nest Wilderness (FENW) is partnering with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to help reduce the impacts of human activity in the Eagles Nest, Holy Cross, and Ptarmigan Peak Wildernesses.

Mission

To help preserve and protect the natural conditions and Wilderness characteristics in the Eagles Nest, Holy Cross, and Ptarmigan Peak Wildernesses.

Volunteer Benefits

The benefits of volunteering include:

the satisfaction of helping others
giving back to the lands you enjoy
preserving the wilderness resource for yourself and future generation
the opportunity to work outdoors
a variety of experiences in scenic settings
flexibility to schedule your time and where you work
with only one or two USFS Wilderness rangers available during the summer, volunteers will be an additional source of contact for Wilderness visitors.

Goals

To educate visitors and adjacent landowners of the values of Wilderness and their role in maintaining the integrity of the Wilderness ecosystem.
To teach Leave No Trace (LNT) backcountry travel and camping practices to wilderness visitors.
To provide visitors information about the Eagles Nest, Holy Cross, and Ptarmigan Peak Wildernesses including topics such as site specific natural history, trail and campsite locations and conditions, regulations, and wilderness history.
To assist the USFS in inventorying and monitoring Wilderness resources conditions including campsites, noxious weeds, trail conditions, and recreation use.
To assist the USFS in data input and analysis.
To foster stewardship for wilderness lands in Eagle and Summit Counties among locals, second-homeowners, and visitors.

Job Descriptions

Volunteers are welcome to do either or both of the jobs described below:

Ranger (Hiking) Patrol volunteers provide visitor education and awareness of the Wilderness resource while hiking various trails or during a backpacking trip. Information can include trail and camping information, LNT travel and camping techniques, explanation of wilderness regulations, natural and human history of the area. Volunteers will not provide regulation enforcement. Ranger (Hiking) Patrol volunteers will wear authorized uniforms and name tags.

Field Monitors will inventory campsites and other recreation sites within the Wilderness and inventory noxious weeds. Monitoring the inventory will occur to record changes over time. Use of a GPS is required and may be provided by the USFS. Some campsite and recreation site restoration work may also be done under USFS guidance. No visitor contact is required in this position. No uniform will be provided or worn.

Both Ranger (Hiking) Patrol and Field Monitors will:

attend required training(s)
sign up for a minimum of four (4) days work
practice LNT principles while on duty
be responsible for their own personal safety
complete required reports
relay information to the USFS on general conditions and emergencies
let the coordinator know, in a timely fashion, when they will be unable to work so schedules can be adjusted.

Qualifications Needed

All Wilderness Volunteers must have hiking and preferably backpacking experience, including map reading and compass skills. Experience with a GPS is a plus, especially for Field Monitors. All volunteers must be able to hike the required distance of the trail or area being worked and be healthy enough to hike at elevations ranging from 8,000 to 14,003 feet.

Ranger (Hiking) Patrol volunteers must enjoy communicating with different people.

All Wilderness Volunteers are representatives of FENW and the USFS and will maintain a positive, friendly, non-confrontational attitude with the community and/or visitors they contact while volunteering.

All Wilderness Volunteers will provide:

transportation to and from trailheads
personal gear such as hiking and backpacking gear and boots
food

FENW and the USFS will provide uniforms, name tags, required safety equipment, information materials, and training.

Application Form download

Click on the software of your choice for a Summit County application form. Word document or PDF version.

Eagle County application: Click on the software of your choice for an Eagle County application form. Word document or PDF version.

For more information

In Summit County email summitwv@fenw.org or Cyndi at 970-468-6699

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