Project Description
We’ve received many requests for alternative opportunities (outside of trail work) for people to get involved with giving back to the Bob. This year, we’re excited to offer a few different ways that you can volunteer without strapping on a hard hat!
This summer, we’re assisting the University of Montana’s Institute for Tourism & Recreation Research (ITRR) with an approved project through the Tourism Advisory Council (TAC). This effort includes a visitor monitoring program that will engage volunteers to help gather important on-the-ground data throughout the season, contributing valuable information to support stewardship and management across the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex. Separately, we’re debuting a new Trailhead Ambassador program to enhance our educational outreach around the Bob.
Education/Research volunteer tasks could include:
Driving Forest Service roads to trailheads to maintain traffic counters and conduct on-the-ground observations, registering crucial information for this research study
Hosting a Trailhead Ambassador table at popular trailheads to chat with visitors about Leave No Trace, invasive species, or other relevant educational topics
Hiking/backpacking into the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex to complete Solitude Monitoring surveys, counting the number of parties encountered in the backcountry
For all of the above activities, we would train you on how to properly perform the task and then work with you on a schedule and locations that work for you. This is a flexible, unstructured volunteer opportunity where you will be working independently with support from our staff. Please indicate which task(s) you’re interested in helping with on your registration form!
If you’re interested in learning more and participating in Education/Research Volunteer Opportunities, please select which type of task(s) you’d like us to contact you about. We’ll follow up with specific training dates and volunteer opportunities later this spring/summer.