Celebrate Earth Day by volunteering with DNR

Join DNR this Earth Day by volunteering on state lands. Photo by: DNR

Earth Day is coming around again this Monday, April 22. It also happens to land within National Volunteer Week. With so much to celebrate, this is the perfect time to get outside and help the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) improve some of the recreation areas we love so much.

Join DNR this coming Saturday, April 20 at one of the many volunteer opportunities on DNR-managed lands. Be prepared to participate in site clean-up activities, including helping with facility, sign, and trail maintenance. Many DNR volunteers are working towards a voucher for a complimentary Discover Pass.

Mima Mounds Work Party near Olympia, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., April 20.
Show your kids and friends the importance of preserving our Natural Areas at the mysterious Mima Mounds near Olympia, Washington. After volunteering, stick around for an interpretive walk guided by DNR staff near the end of the day. Contact Birdie Davenport 360-902-1434, or roberta.davenport@dnr.wa.gov 

Capitol Forest Earth Day Work Party near Olympia, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., April 20.
Join Friends of Capitol Forest and REI for a day of volunteering at Capitol State Forest. Volunteers will work on finishing the Porter Trail. Lunch will be provided for volunteers during the event. Contact Nick Cronquist at 360-480-2700 or nick.cronquist@dnr.wa.gov

Clean the Tahuya Work Party near Belfair, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., April 20.
Get the Tahuya State Forest ready for summer recreation. Join volunteers to pick up garbage and clean-up the forest. Celebrate Earth Day with a barbeque lunch with fellow volunteers. Contact Jesse Sims at 360-801-5097 or  jesse.sims@dnr.wa.gov

Samish Bay Trail Clean-Up near Bellingham, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., April 20.
Help maintain the Samish Bay Trail with Washington Conservation Corps members. There is work for volunteers of all skill and fitness levels. Contact Christ Thomsen at 360-854-2860 or christ.thomsen@dnr.wa.gov

Check out more events for the weekend of April 27 & April 28 on our volunteer calendar.

You can find more information on these events on the DNR recreation and events page.

Invite your friends to events on our Facebook page.

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Hooves and wings unite to clean up Samish Overlook

Equestrian riders and paragliders come together to volunteer at Samish Overlook. Photos: Rick Foster, DNR.

Samish Overlook in Blanchard Forest near Bellingham (map), not only offers stunning views of the San Juan Islands, but also is a place where hikers, paragliders, and equestrian riders work together to preserve this beautiful recreation area.

On March 9, almost 40 volunteers came out to clean-up Blanchard Forest and the overlook. The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) would like to thank each of these volunteers for their hard work and the following partner organizations:

• North Cascade Soaring Club
• Whatcom Back Country Horsemen
• Skagit Back Country Horsemen 

Check out photos from the event and the fun volunteers had after they cleaned up the site!

Equestrian riders clean up trails

A horse and rider take a break after spending the morning clearing trails at Blanchard Mountain. Photo: Rick Foster, DNR

Ten volunteers brought their horses and rode up from the lower trailhead to clear brush and wind throw from the trails. They split into 2 groups and covered 7 miles of trail with enough time to meet up with other volunteers at the overlook for lunch. They continued working in the afternoon with the rest of the volunteers at Samish Overlook.

Paragliders and other volunteers clean up Samish Overlook

Volunteers clean up a paragliding launch site at Samish Overlook. Photo: Rick Foster, DNR.

At Samish Overlook, about 30 folks spent time spring cleaning the overlook. The work consisted of removing grass in the gravel paths and putting down 6 yards of new gravel. Other volunteers were weed eating and clearing short brush from the paragliding launch sites. Volunteers also filled in ruts at one of the launches, cleared around plants that were put in last year, and picked up garbage around the site.

Volunteers were able to get a lot of work accomplished with time to take advantage of the great weather to play…check out the photos!

Find out about upcoming volunteer opportunities in your area or join us and invite your on April 13 for another Samish Overlook volunteer event.

Related blog: Thank you volunteers! Blanchard Forest has new horse mounting blocks

 

Don’t forget your Discover Pass, your ticket to millions of acres of state-managed recreation land.

 

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DNR’s 2012 Volunteer Hero honored by American Motorcycle Association

Bob Langley has spent thousands of hours volunteering his time working on DNR trails.

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) honored Bob Langley last year as one of our 2012 Volunteer Heros for his outstanding contribution to DNR. Now Bob has received a second award for his volunteer efforts on DNR-managed land:

The 2013 American Motorcycle Association (AMA) Outstanding Off-Road Rider Award highlights the achievements of an individual who has contributed to the promotion of the motorcycling lifestyle and the protection of off-highway motorcycling.

For 2013, Washington state’s Langley was acknowledged for his tireless work — 800-1000 hours per year –maintaining riding trails in off-road-vehicle areas throughout his home state. The Boeing Company retiree was hailed by the state’s Department of Natural Resources as one of its top volunteers statewide in 2012.

“I am grateful to the AMA for this award,” said Langley. “Giving back to the sport that I love is why I do what I do. Off-road riding is in my blood and volunteering on our trails is one way to make sure that these trails will be around for future generations to enjoy.”

In 2012 alone, Langley logged over 600 hours volunteering at Walker Valley State Forest and over 100 hours at Capital State Forest. Bob’s leadership, humor, concern for the environment, and amazing attitude inspire children and adults alike.

Thanks for all the awesome volunteering Bob! You inspire us all!

To learn how you can volunteer with DNR, view our Volunteer Calendar and invite your friends to events on Facebook.

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Join Forest Watch and become a better friend of the forest

Forest Watch Volunteers provide information to the public and report any safety concerns. Photo: Clay Graham, Eastern Washington Adventures.

Did you know that the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has only 36 recreation employees to assist visitors on 2.2 million acres of state trust lands? As dedicated as these staff are to providing an enriching recreation experience, these limited numbers are not able to assist every visitor in the forest.

This is why the Forest Watch Program is critical in providing visitor information and reporting safety concerns.

Join DNR’s Forest Watch Program and become a resource of friendly information for forest visitors while learning new skills.

What do Forest Watch volunteers do?
• Provide information to visitors.
• Monitor and observe trails, sites, and facilities.
• Report safety concerns and suspicious or criminal activities.

“We plan daylight patrols and set up stations at the common entrances into the area. We have tread-lightly information, and other brochures about helping to keep the forest open for the community to enjoy. We also have spill kits available, and encourage people to have one on hand in case they need it.”
– Elizabeth Wells, Forest Watch volunteer

What are the goals of Forest Watch?
• Create a responsible presence in the forest.
• Prevent unsafe activities.
• Educate the public on safe and sustainable recreation.

“To me, forest watch means saving the forest for future generations.”
 – Ronald Coleman, Forest Watch Volunteer

 Why should I become a Forest Watch Volunteer?
• Improve recreation trails, sites, and facilities.
• Learn new skills and information.
• Meet others with a passion for outdoor recreation.
• Enhance your resume.

“I became a Forest Watch volunteer officially a few years ago. It all began when I would go to the Ahtanum State Forest area with my father fishing and camping. He taught me to take care of the land and respect nature. This was in the mid 1950s and the same concerns are present today with additional issues.”
– Ron Rutherford, Forest Watch Volunteer

Want to find out more about becoming a Forest Watch volunteer? Join us at the following training events:

• Tumwater Forest Watch Volunteer training – March 21
• Yakima Forest Watch Volunteer training – March 28

For more information, contact Ken Dean at 360-902-1701 or ken.dean@dnr.wa.gov or check out our webpage.

Like what you see? Let us know what you need to know to plan your next DNR recreation adventure.
Take a few moments and take a short online survey.

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Happy 2013 from DNR: A calendar of events for the next 12 months

Winter morning on a variable retention timber harvest in the Larch Block, an area of DNR-managed state trust land east of Vancouver, WA. Photo: F. Deisenhofer/DNR

All of us at the Washington State Department of Natural Resources hope you will find many things to celebrate and enjoy in this new year. Here is a small sample of the many events and activities that we hope you will enjoy with us on state trust, aquatic and conservation lands in 2013:

JANUARY–MARCH

• Reiter Foothills 4X4 test runs open to public
• Find more events on the DNR Volunteer Calendar

APRIL–JUNE

• Great Gravel Pack-in: Capitol State Forest (April 13)
• Washington State Arbor Day (2nd Wednesday in April)
• National Volunteer Week (3rd week in April)
• DNR Recreation sites, seasonal reopenings
• National Trails Day (June 1st)
• Family Forest Field Day (June 22 in Okanogan County)

JULY–SEPTEMBER

• Commissioner’s Volunteer Hero Award – nominations open in July
• Family Forest Field Day (August in Forks)
• National Public Lands Day (September 28th)
• National Estuaries Day (September 28th)

OCTOBER–NOVEMBER

• Urban & Community Forestry Month-statewide (October)
• Great Washington Shake Out (mid-October)
• Earth Science Week (October 13-19)
• Native American Heritage Month (November)
• DNR winter recreation trail grooming begins (December)

Not enough events? Don’t worry, there will be plenty more to come. Get a head start on 2013 events by subscribing to a free DNR e-newsletter.

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YOU can make a difference. Volunteer for National Trails Day,® June 2!

Volunteers making a difference on National Trails Day 2011. Photo: Ray Lapine

Are you ready to make a difference and get some fresh air? Join DNR on June 2 and participate in a national movement to celebrate trails.

On National Trails Day,® formed by the American Hiking Society, you can celebrate trails and make a difference by volunteering with DNR and our partners at events across the state.

 

Where can YOU make a difference?
Check out one of our DNR-sponsored events: (events passed)

• Yacolt Burn State Forest – Maintain trails on the Cedar Creek Falls Trail
• Elbe Hills State Forest – Enhance horse trails and Sahara Creek Campground
• Middle Fork NRCA – Celebrate and listen to remarks by Commissioner Goldmark and Sally Jewell
• Mailbox Peak – Participate in new trail construction
• Bradley Bike Trails – Improve trails on the Olympic Peninsula
• Tiger Mountain State Forest – Break ground on new bike trails
• Blanchard Forest – Recover trails on the Lower Trailhead
• Capitol State Forest – Get dirty and install culverts on motorized trails
• Capitol State Forest – Lay gravel on new Equine Loop Trail

We’ll see you on the trails!

Volunteer events are happening all the time! Check out our volunteer calendar for a complete listing.