#npsvolunteers

[rainiervolunteersnps]

On Saturday, April 24, a dozen volunteers from the Mount Rainier National Park Associates gathered at the Twin Firs Trail, just west of Longmire, for a day of trail maintenance. They shored up a streambank next to the upper stream crossing, prepared a new kickrail for the lower stream bridge, and roughed out a short reroute around a muddy section of trail. The weather was cool and damp, but spirits were high, making this a perfect way to kick off the summer volunteer season!

Visit http://nps.gov/mora/getinvolved/volunteer.htm or http://rainiervolunteersnps.tumblr.com to learn more about volunteering at Mount Rainier, or http://mrnpa.org to learn more about the Mount Rainier National Park Associates. Watch for more more announcements soon about summer volunteer opportunities!  ~klb

[rainiervolunteersnps]

On this date fifty years ago, July 29, 1970, the Volunteers-in-Parks Act formally created the National Park Service's volunteer program! Volunteers have played an important role over the years in protecting the natural and cultural landscape of Mount Rainier National Park and serving its visitors, and we could not do so as well as we do without their help. Volunteers, in turn, gain a unique and personal perspective as important members of our team. Last year more than 2,000 people built trails, conducted research, planted plants, assisted visitors, curated historical artifacts, and served in many other vital roles. Thank you to everyone who has participated over the past half century, and here's to another 50 years of service!

These photos touch on just a few highlights of the past 50 years. To learn more and find out how you can help, visit http://nps.gov/mora/getinvolved/volunteer.htm.