Lending a hand to the national parks - Environmental Action

Sunset, Nov, 1991

THESE EAGER WEEDERS, paint-chippers, bird-watchers and tour leaders are just a handful of more than 4,000 Bay Area residents who donate time and skills to help maintain the nation's most-visited national park: Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA).

Why? Because the national parks--crown jewels of American public lands--are on the ropes. Even as the number of visitors continues to increase, park budgets and staffs have been cut. Visitor interpretation dwindles, vital research goes unfunded, and basic maintenance is postponed.

While Congress debates funding, park managers are finding that the very people who use the parks are increasingly eager to help with park programs--as volunteers. This year an estimated 20,000 Westerners will put about $15 million worth of effort into some 150 national parks.

The largest--and most successful--volunteer program in the nation is at GGNRA. Last year, volunteers contributed more than 120,000 hours to 22 different projects.

One of the most remarkable accomplishments is the Golden Gate Raptor Observatory, started by volunteers in 1985. The observatory established the Pacific Coast's first birds-of-prey migration-monitoring program. This winter, 170 volunteers are recording hawk, eagle, and falcon migration data at least through January; to help, call (415) 331-0750.

The secret of GGNRA's success has been in matching volunteer interests with essential programs. "Meaningful and interesting projects are vital," notes volunteer coordinator Coleen Collins. "Our most developed volunteer groups not only have their own newsletters but offer different types of training and responsibility to keep members enthusiastic."

While volunteer programs in most national parks aren't as extensive as at GGNRA, helping hands are always appreciated. Here's how you can get involved:

Helping at GGNRA. You don't need any special skills. For example, the Habitat Restoration Team meets every Sunday at 9:30 to spend a good 5 hours helping "preserve, restore, and maintain the natural diversity of the GGNRA." This winter's main effort will be removing invasive non-native plants (weeding). For a schedule, call 556-0581.

Other programs, such as wildlife monitoring, historic preservation, and visitor interpretation, may require some training. For a complete list of options and information on how to get started, call Colleen Collins at 556-3535.

Volunteering at other national parks. For information on programs in your area, it's best to call parks directly. Otherwise, call these regional offices; Anchorage, (907) 257-2592; Seattle, (206) 553-5201; San Francisco, (415) 744-3910; Denver, (303) 969-2630; Santa Fe, (505) 988-6839.