Volunteering

Wilderness Volunteers in the Mission Mountains Wilderness 2007Depending on your skills and interests Flathead National Forest may have an available opportunity that fits with you. Potential opportunities could include doing wildlife surveys, hand-pulling weeds, sharing information with forest visitors and educating youth. Contact the individual ranger district offices and Forest Supervisor’s Office to inquire about potential opportunities.

Volunteering Opportunities

Depending on your skills and interests the Forest Service has many types of volunteering opportunities.

Many of our partners work with volunteers and may also provide opportunities. Visit our Partnership Page for more information.

Volunteer & Service Learning Opportunities in Wildlife Biology on the Flathead National Forest

Email Mark Ruby for more information.

What

Duration

# Volunteers at a time

Season

Notes

Birds of prey migration survey

1 or more full days during week or on weekends

1 to 2

Fall

Tie in with Flathead Audubon Society observers to record migrating raptors near Jewel Basin

Old growth/Canada lynx habitat surveys

1 or more full weekdays

1 to 2

Fall, spring, or summer

Accompany Biologist to measure large trees and recording wildlife use and habitat attributes in old growth and evaluate habitat suitability for Canada lynx.  Must be able to walk over uneven, often sloping ground and over downed logs.

Wildlife snow-track survey

1 or more full weekdays

1 to 2

Winter

Use snowshoes or cross-country skis; difficult to schedule due to need for good conditions

Common loon, peregrine falcon, and/or bald eagle observation

1 to 2 half or whole weekdays

1 to 2

Spring/
summer

Checking for occupancy, leg bands, nesting efforts, nest success.  Accompany local Loon Ranger or Biologist or record data on own

Loon nesting platforms, loon nest area signing

1 or more full weekdays

1 to 2

Spring

Construct and install loon nest platforms and/or nest area buoys.  Uses boats on area lakes with Loon Ranger or Biologist

Grizzly bear monitoring/education

1 or more full weekdays

1 to 3

Fall, spring, or summer

Accompany local Bear Ranger at campgrounds and dispersed campsites

Amphibian and Reptile Surveys

1 or more full weekdays

1 to 10

Late spring/ early summer

Survey local ponds for amphibians and reptiles

Wildlife tree signing,  painting, and/or monitoring

1 or more full weekdays

1 to 3

Fall, spring, or summer

Monitor wildlife trees previously marked, help replace signs/paint, mark new trees if needed

Snag and Downed Log Monitoring in Timber Sale Units

1 or more full weekdays

1 to 2

Fall, spring, or summer

Monitor snag and downed wood retention in timber sale areas.

Old Growth Habitat Fuel Reduction Monitoring

1 or more full weekdays

1 to 2

Fall, spring, or summer

Monitor effects of under burning or other understory fuel reduction and use by wildlife in old growth habitats

GIS for wildlife observation data

2 or more weekdays (can be in parts)

1

Any

Using ArcMap GIS software; includes 1 or 2 hours learning

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