In this issue:
Rock Creek Park VIP's
by Anne O'Neill, Ranger, Rock Creek National Park
Volunteers at Rock Creek Park help preserve and protect the park's natural and cultural resources for the enjoyment of visitors today and for future generations. Rock Creek Park's volunteers are active, dynamic, creative individuals of all ages who possess the skills, desire, patience, and time to accomplish a wide variety of tasks, furthering the park's mission. Without a doubt, our volunteers are Very Important People!
Many volunteers work outside and choose to: pull non-native, invasive plants, insuring native plant growth; pick up trash in the park, making the park a more beautiful place; work at the Horse Centre; maintain the gardens and small pond by the Nature Center; or clean the water bars on trails, preventing further soil erosion. Other volunteers prefer working inside the Nature Center, Peirce Mill, or at The Old Stone House: staffing the visitor information desk, answering the telephone and questions directed from the public, taking reservations for interpretive programs, and working the book store. Depending on a volunteer's initiative, he or she may also assist park rangers with the researching, setting up and taking down, and presenting of interpretive programs such as, a hike, nature walk, or tour. All volunteers are given an orientation to the park and wear a park volunteer shirt while on duty.
If you are interested in volunteering at Rock Creek Park, please contact Dwight Madison at 202-287-8850 or Anne O'Neill at 202-426-6828 to schedule an interview to see how your interests match the needs of Rock Creek Park. Afterwards, you set your schedule and call the park when you cannot come in to volunteer.
