Local State parks seek volunteers

Do you like history? Do you like nature? Do you like people? Do you like to have FUN?

On Saturday, March 20, The Valley of the Moon State Parks – Jack London State Historic Park, Annadel State Park and Sugarloaf Ridge State Park – will begin Volunteer Training. The training runs six Saturdays (excluding April 3), ending on May 1. Topics cover park history, interpretation techniques, visitor contact skills and much more.

People inspired by the beauty and heritage of our State Parks and interested in making a difference by protecting and preserving parklands and sharing the fascinating stories of the three Valley of the Moon State Parks are invited to join this year’s Volunteer Training Program. There are volunteer opportunities available for all interest levels and abilities.

Volunteers are integral and vital contributors to park interpretation and operations. They are docents in historic buildings, tour guides and hike leaders. They provide trail information to hikers and patrol the back country on horseback or mountain bike. They answer visitors’ questions at the visitor centers, drive the golf cart for visitors who need assistance, play piano at JLSHP, work on trails and host the campground.

Participants are required to pay a $50 materials fee and are granted a complimentary annual membership in the Valley of the Moon Natural History Association. Upon completion of the class, new volunteers receive ongoing educational opportunities and a Park Pass, which allows free access to three Valley of the Moon State Parks. Volunteers are asked to volunteer a minimum of four hours per month.

For more information and registration, please contact Susan St. Marie, Valley of the Moon State Parks Volunteer Coordinator at 938-4827, or email sstmarie@parks.ca.gov by March 15.

For an online application, visit www.parks.ca.gov. California State Parks makes accommodations for people with disabilities. Visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact the park prior to arrival at 938-4827.

The Volunteers in Parks Program is a program of California State Parks; it is provided additional support by the Valley of the Moon Natural History Association.