I Volunteer Because…
Some volunteers want to help maintain their recreation opportunities and spend time outdoors. Other volunteers love being outside and feel a sense of responsibility toward the land (figure 4). Still other volunteers are retired and looking for something to do or want to continue using their experience and skills.
Figure 4—Volunteers planting seed of endangered
clay
phacelia on the
Uinta National Forest, part
of the Clay Phacelia introduction project of the
threatened and endangered species program.
Courtesy
of Denise Van Keuren,
Uinta National Forest
I like to do something. I like to be outdoors, and this Red Rock Country is a pretty nice office.
Volunteer—Arizona
Other volunteers are seeking companionship, friendship, or a social group where they belong.
They may not see you every day after a while, but they need to know you're there for them and that's an important part of it. And you become such an important part of their life, as a volunteer manager, that it really surprises you in the end.
Mary Voldahl—Cibola National
Forest, Sandia Ranger District
Finally, some volunteers want something very specific from their time with the Forest Service. They may want to learn about forest ecology, historical building restoration, or even bats (figure 5). Prospective job seekers and college students may want professional experience or class credit, while youths may be seeking an opportunity to earn merit badges. Some volunteers may want to complete a particular project and will donate their time to make it happen. Other volunteers are seeking health benefits through exercise and physical activity. And finally, some volunteers give their time simply because they were asked to or because they think volunteering is just plain fun.
Figure 5—Volunteers involved in the bat grid
monitoring surveys, a Pacific
Northwest Region
project, for the wildlife program. Courtesy of Pat
Ormsbee,
Willamette National Forest
