Wilderness Foundation looking for Montana volunteers
A sign marks the wilderness boundary.
Officials with the nonprofit organization that spearheads trail maintenance in the sprawling Bob Marshall Wilderness have made several adjustments to its upcoming summer projects and usual volunteer workforce as concerns linger surrounding the novel coronavirus outbreak.
Because of uncertainty over out-of-state volunteers being able to come to Montana, the organization now has some volunteer openings in-state.
“We invite Montanans to join us out there to explore the incredible place that is the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex” said the organization’s Executive Director, Bill Hodges. “The Bob is the perfect distillation of Montana — it’s big, it’s wild, it’s beautiful. Let’s roll up our sleeves this summer and give back to the public lands that we’re so fortunate to have in our backyards.”
As it stands, there are 19 different volunteer opportunities available for Montanans to participate in.
The projects range from as few as three days to more than 10 and are located across several ranger districts. The foundation’s website includes a brief description of each of the projects and offers difficulty ratings so volunteers can know how strenuous the projects are comparatively.
The undertakings are determined in partnership with the Forest Service. Every winter, the foundation’s Program Director Rebecca Powell, works with staff from five districts to compile the project list: Hungry Horse, Spotted Bear, Rocky Mountain, Lincoln and Seeley Lake.
“They know where the work needs to be done, and we’re here to fill in the gaps where they need us,” Powell said.
Those looking to volunteer should also review the foundation’s new hygiene and safety policies surrounding the coronavirus. For example, potential volunteers must complete a pre-trip survey to determine their COVID risks, they are expected to bring their own personal hand sanitizer and other products and anyone with a temperature over 100 degrees Fahrenheit will not be allowed to join on the trip.
“Our goal is to still provide unique hands-on wilderness experiences while keeping our staff, volunteers, and neighbors safe,” Powell said. “While the 2020 season is not quite the one we had planned, we’re looking forward to getting as much work done for The Bob as we can.”
A full list of volunteer opportunities and expectations can be found on the foundation’s website at www.bmwf.org