Wilderness volunteers sought
Looking over the Sun River country.
The Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation is looking for volunteers for a slate of trail maintenance projects within the 1.6-million-acre Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex this summer.
BMWF projects are free of charge, and no prior trail work or camping experience is necessary. The foundation provides all meals, group camping gear, tools, and an experienced Crew Leader who guides the project. All of their backcountry trips are pack supported, thanks to dedicated volunteer packers and their horses and mules who carry the heavy loads.
Volunteers just need their personal camping gear, and a willingness to learn new things and work hard. BMWF also offers a free gear library for those who need to borrow any personal gear to join the projects.
“Our Volunteer Adventures provide a unique way to connect on a deeper level with the public lands that belong to all of us; specifically the incredible Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex right in our backyard,” said Rebecca Powell, program director for the foundation. “Volunteers get the chance to set down their phones, and pick up traditional tools to open trails the same way it’s been done for over 100 years. There’s not much better than sitting around a campfire with a full belly after a hard day’s work, with a group of new friends who come from all walks of life but love wilderness just as much as you do.”
The foundation has over 30 projects open to the public. A few need more volunteers to get the work done, particularly projects scheduled in June. A full slate Volunteer Adventures is available at BMWF.org.
Building on momentum from last summer, BMWF hopes to bolster the Great Bear Trail Posse, an opportunity for folks to receive basic training and access to tools in order to conduct trail maintenance independently on their own schedule.
Whether you’re an avid backpacker who wants to hit the trail with a new group, a lifelong visitor to The Bob who wants to lend to its stewardship, or a first time camper who’s comforted by having a trip leader organize logistics, BMWF’s Volunteer Adventures are an approachable and rewarding way to experience the remote Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex.
To learn more about volunteering with the BMWF, visit www.bmwf.org/volunteer, or call its office in Hungry Horse at 406-387-3808.