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Specific Volunteer Opportunities
ARTISTS: Artistic interpretation of the river and its resources is perhaps one of the most personal and educational of all volunteer positions. Artists utilize the Riverway to nurture their creative energies and share their skills both while they are working in their medium and as part of individual or special event exhibits.
CANOE LANDING/PICNIC AREA HOST: Volunteer Hosts stationed at Osceola Landing and Picnic Area greets river users and picnickers and share information and educational material about St. Croix National Scenic Riverway and its resources. Hosts set an example by being model campers, practicing good housekeeping at all times in and around the host site, by observing all rules and encouraging “Carry In, Carry Out” policy. Volunteers will also assist by serving as weekend contact for River Rovers. Hosts perform minimal maintenance work around the picnic area such as litter pickup, sweeping, monitoring use of facilities; contacting park maintenance staff as needed.
FACILITIES ASSISTANTS: Assist our facilities crew with Riverway, campsite and picnic area clean-up, either individually or as a group! Our staff strives to maintain the park in a primitive and pristine environment, and your help can continue a tradition of volunteers serving as stewards for the Riverway.
GUEST SPEAKER: Are you an authority on a River way related topic? Would you like to share your knowledge and experience by giving a presentation? All topics open to consideration!
HISTORICAL RESEARCH: St. Croix Riverway has a wealth of uncovered history and stories from the past yet to be discovered. Do you have a topic or an event of interest: ferries, railroads, bridges, steamboats, logjams, etc that you would like to learn more about and would be willing to share your research with the Riverway? Individual would review files at a local historical society (or societies) for information related to the Riverway. An index of materials would be developed and significant materials would be copied for Riverway's files. An individual could also choose a lumber company that was active on the St. Croix or Namekagon Rivers and research existing records. Topic must be approved by Cultural Resource Specialist.
IMAGE DATABASE VOLUNTEER: St. Croix Riverway has a comprehensive collection of over 3,000 slide images that document a wide away of the natural and cultural resources of the park. With changes in technology, these images are being converted into digital format for ease of access on our website, in park publications and presentations. A volunteer in this position would utilize park equipment to document and scan this database into an established system.
ORAL HISTORIES: Conducting interviews with community elders and other citizens with intimate knowledge of the river and its past is perhaps one of the best ways to document the history of the park. Volunteers will be trained on recording equipment and interview techniques and be scheduled to interview selected individuals. Transcribing these as well as existing recorded interviews is also a part of this position if the volunteer is interested and available.
Candidates for oral histories, topics and suggested questions will be developed with project coordinator. Guidelines and materials available for study on how to conduct oral histories.
RESTORATION AND CLEAN-UP SPECIALISTS: Volunteers plant native trees, shrubs and prairie plants to restore natural vegetation to the river corridor. Volunteers remove invasive exotic plants from strategic areas or assist in river corridor clean-ups. Volunteers work at their own pace and ability in scenic and fun settings.
RIVER ROVER EDUCATION TEAM: Interested in utilizing your canoeing, or kayaking skills and share a commitment to leadership, education and safety? Join a group of Riverway stewards in educating users about the significance of the St. Croix and Namekagon Rivers and providing paddlesport skills instruction to river users. River Rovers may also assist with special events, provide orientation to the river, staff an on-river information station with park rangers and offer first aid assistance. Rovers must be CPR certified, attend 8 hours of mandatory training and water skills certification and volunteer at least 24 hours during the summer.
RIVERWAY PHOTOGRAPHERS: Are you a shutterbug? Volunteers in this position add to our image database for use on our website, in park produced publications, presentations and other park uses. We are in need of specific images as part of our parks education and interpretive plans, but other acceptable photographs are also sought. All images taken by the volunteer become property of St. Croix Riverway.
VISITOR CENTER OPERATIONS: Assist in staffing the new Headquarters Visitor Center in St. Croix Falls, WI. Individuals with an interest in exploring the mission of the National Park Service and sharing their knowledge with the public will be scheduled to work alongside park staff. Volunteers will receive training in the history of the Riverway, its cultural and natural significance, informal interpretation, visitor center operation and/or aquarium maintenance. Duties will vary, but may include serving the visiting public, assisting with school and group educational programs, and operation of the visitor center, A/V equipment and exhibits.
WEB SITE ASSISTANT: Assist with ongoing maintenance and development of the St. Croix Riverway website. Volunteer will work alongside our staff in updating and creating our National Park Service site, and troubleshoot problems that may arise.
WILDLIFE SURVEY ASSISTANTS: The narrow ribbon that St. Croix Riverway protects is teaming with a diversity of life. Our natural resource management staff works year round inventorying and monitoring all native species. Volunteers work alongside NPS staff to further this effort by assisting with bird counts, track identification and other methods of discovering and documenting Riverway wildlife.
To fill out an online application for these or other volunteer positions, visit: http://www.volunteer.gov/gov/
For additional information or if you have questions contact Dale Cox, Riverway Volunteer Coordinator at (715) 483-2272 or via email.
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