Volcan Mountain Needs YOU!
Volunteers are the life blood of any nonprofit organization, and it's no different for the Volcan Mountain Foundation. VMF is so appreciative of all of you who have given of your time and talents over the years!
Volcan Mountain still needs all of you and new generations of volunteer stewards too!
Over 25 years ago, the volunteers that would eventually form the (then) Volcan Mountain Preserve Foundation Board of Directors and core committees, came together to lead the grass-roots efforts to advocate for protection of the south ridgeline of the Volcan Mountain Range from development and to preserve its remarkable natural resources for all generations.
In the early years, many Volcan Volunteers primarily helped support County Parks staff. They helped build the Hubbell gateway at the trail head of the County's Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve, became docents to lead interpretive hikes, and they helped build, maintain and patrol trails. The partnership with County Parks continues to thrive.
In a few years, volunteers put on their aprons and rolled up their sleeves to put on the Foundation's annual Dinner Dance fundraiser. In recent years, VMF's Education-Outreach program has seen many new faces help provide immersive and affective environmental education experiences to visitors of all ages to develop new stewards to care for the Volcan Mountain Range.
Habitat and natural resource management have emerged as an important conservation volunteer need now that VMF owns and manages nearly 400 acres of land. As is conservation research to help inventory, monitor and understand the rich natural and biological resources that VMF property and the Volcan Mountain Range supports.
Volunteers that share science and business skills have provided a great benefit to VMF on the board and in the office. Thank you all!
For everyone that loves and appreciates the amazing natural treasure in Julian and San Diego's 'backyard' that is the Volcan Mountain Range, there is a volunteer opportunity for you! Of course, the huge bonus is getting a 'backstage pass' to Volcan Mountain, in addition to the satisfaction of knowing that you’re helping to protect and care for it.
VMF is seeking to grow its various volunteer groups. To support this process, VMF's new Administrative Assistant, Nicole McMillan, is stepping into the role of volunteer coordinator as well. She’ll be a great ‘hub’ for all things volunteer!
Some current/ongoing volunteer opportunities/needs:
- If you love nurturing the next generation of nature lovers, Education Coordinator, Kathleen Beck is seeking interested docents to learn about nature education and introduce visitors of all ages to Volcan Mountain as a VMF Ambassador. You don't need to be a teacher or already 'know everything'—Kathleen is leading an upcoming Docent Training day on Saturday, June 20th
- The Volcan Trail Team, led by Resource Management Coordinator, Paul Cruz, needs volunteers that want to roll up their sleeves and get dirty for a quarterly trail maintenance day and periodically pre-walk the trails before an Education-Outreach group comes to visit--there's an upcoming Volcan Volunteer Work Party on Friday, June 26th
- The Wildlife Imaging Team is 'developing' a baseline wildlife inventory through use of remote wildlife trail cameras, and would love to add new volunteers to this enthusiastic group
- The Native Plant Nursery could use a few good 'green thumbs' to help tend to 'budding' native plants that will be used for habitat restoration and service-learning stewardship projects
- The 4th Annual Julian Film Festival is coming up on Friday, August 21st & Saturday, August 22nd. This fun and social event to promote and raise awareness for protecting natural resources like the Volcan Mountain Range needs lots of helpers to be successful.
How would you like to help? Many hands make light work!
Give Nicole a call (760-765-2300) or send her an email (admin@volcanmt.org), get involved and know that you're doing your part to help protect and care for Mother Nature right here in our own 'backyard'!
Visit the Volcan Mountain Foundation's website at www.VolcanMt.org for ongoing updates of events and activities on and around the Volcan Mountain Range.
