Your Very Next Step newsletter for June 2012
By Ned Lundquist
To see the world in a grain of sand,
And a heaven in a wild flower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
And eternity in an hour.
— William Blake
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”
– Lao Tzu
“Your Very Next Step” newsletter, published by Ned Lundquist, is a
cooperative community, and everyone is invited, no…encouraged, no…urged
to participate. Share your adventures with the network today! Send to
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make-over. Bear with Ned as he learns how to use it.
*** In this issue:
*** Keith Moore needs reintegrating:
*** Mark Sofman at Pennsylvania’s Pine Creek: Prosecuting Piscatorial
Pursuits
*** Travel news
*** 787 Dreamliner becomes reality three years behind schedule
*** Surfing Loves Its Hot, Bikini-Clad Beauties
*** 10 Places Where You Can Sleep on a Beach
*** 2012 National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest
*** 2012 Overseas Adventure Travel photo contest
*** Visit Costa Rica’s dense natural environment
*** Strange Sea Species Found Off Greenland
*** Higher baggage fees:
*** Join the Great American Backyard Campout on June 23
*** Giant Constrictor Snakes in Florida: A Sizeable Research Challenge
*** Save Sea Turtles and Sea Turtle Habitats
*** The Basics of Pack Loading from www.rei.com:
*** Tread Lightly!’s Tips for Responsible Personal Watercraft Use
*** Trail / Outdoor / Conservation volunteer opportunities:
1.) Philmont Scout Ranch Volunteer Vacation, Cimarron, New Mexico
2.) Volunteer Visitor Services, Blue Hills Trailside Museum, Milton, MA
3.) Trail Maintenance Volunteer opportunity, Mountains Recreation and
Conservation Authority, Santa Clarita, CA
4.) Downhill ski and snowboard instructor Junior Volunteers (JRVs),
Youth Enrichment Services, Boston, MA
5.) Volunteers – Enjoy and Promote Native Plant Landscaping, Kul Kah
Han Gardens, Jefferson County Parks and Recreation Department, Chimacum,
Washington
*** National Rail-Trail of the month:
Rail Trail of the Month: June 2012
West Virginia’s Greenbrier River Trail
*** Travel/Adventure/Outdoors/Conservation employment opportunities:
1.) Development Director, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, Denver,
Colorado
2.) Camp Host – 2012, Yukon River Camp [Summer], Sukakpak and Northern
Alaska Tour Company, Yukon River Camp, Alaska
3.) Director of Outdoor Education, The White Mountain School,
Bethlehem, NH
4.) Partnership Outreach Coordinator, Colorado Parks and Wildlife,
Denver, CO
…and much more…and it’s all FREE!!!
*** Do you have a travel adventure to share?
Send me your stories and I’ll post in the “Your Very Next Step” and on
the YVNS website (http://www.yourverynextstep.com/).
*** Keith Moore needs reintegrating:
Ned, I published a bit of a rant on my blog recently about United
Airlines: An Open Letter to United Airlines.
http://www.kammentary.com/2012/05/open-letter-to-united-airlines.html
Since you also cover outdoors activities, I also posted a recent piece
on how backpackers can reintegrate into society after a few days in the
wilderness: How to Reintegrate Into Normal Society: A Guide for
Backpackers.
http://www.kammentary.com/2012/05/how-to-reintegrate-into-normal-society.html
Best,
Keith
Keith A. Moore
*** Mark Sofman at Pennsylvania’s Pine Creek: Prosecuting Piscatorial
Pursuits
After wrapping things up at the Hobart & William Smith Reunion weekend
in Geneva, NY, I ventured south to fish Pennsylvania’s Pine Creek
Valley, a/k/a Grand Canyon of the East among other monikers.
Arrived at upper end of Pine Creek in Ansonia around 3:30pm – drove up
to Colton Point State Park to scope the campsites – $17 bucks a night
for us out-of-staters on the honor system. Then proceeded down to
Owassie Road, found a place to park, donned the waders and equipped with
a shitload of fly boxes (haven’t been after trout in a while) entered
the river and proceeded to get skunked. Had a couple of slashing rises
to an Adams and a Chuck Caddis, but no takes.
There were green drakes in the air, a few sulphurs, caddis and a mayfly
that looked like a larger sulphur, but I’m not sure what it was. Most
seemed to be dipping to the water to drop their eggs. River seemed a
little bit high and slightly murky. Could well have been due to rain
storms across the Southern Tier of NY and northcentral PA that added to
the flow.
Exited the stream when the rain began around 7:30 and then it really
started to pour big time just as I unceremoniously dumped my waders in
the back of the car and got behind the wheel. It gets dark about an hour
earlier down that deep in the canyon and it seems the trees also absorb
a lot of the light too. I then drove through the rain to Colton Point
to set up camp. Alas, I was trapped in the car for over an hour by the
downpour and a little bit after 9pm when it let up, I thought I’d set up
my tent, etc. Ground was sodden like a sponge; screw it, I’m finding a
room somewhere. The Microtel at Mansfield just off the US 15 exit
wanted $149 for ONE NIGHT! So I told the woman at the desk, “Well, I
guess Microtel does NOT mean micro prices.” Went into Mansfield and
found a room for $75 at the Mansfield Inn.
Monday morning, I left Mansfield around 8am for Sheetz (coffee and road
donuts) then off to Pine Creek via US 15 south to Liberty and PA 414
West to Blackwell. Followed 414 along Pine Creek to Wolfe’s General
Store and Fly Shop in Slate Run. Along the way, the creek was notably
up and discolored. Bought some flies at Wolfe’s in exchange for fishing
info and elected to head for Slate Run up Slate Run Rd, Francis Road and
Morris Run Road.
Parked next to the bridge over Slate Run ~ 9:30am and spent about 20-30
minutes weighing the question of the day: “Should I fish upstream or
down?” Elected to go downstream. Slate Run is a beautiful freestoner,
mountain laurel in flower, birds all over the place and clear cold water
with a good flow. With no hatch on, I opted to use a number of dry
flies (Royal Wulff, Ausable Wulff, Elk Hair Caddis, Klinkhammer Special)
and got only a couple of slashes but no hookups a couple hours in –
plus I must have lost a half a dozen flies to the trees by this point.
Fishing a mountain stream for trout is WAY different than wet wading the
Potomac for smallies – I need to remember that next time. And I really
should go trouting more often – it reignites that exploring/adventuring
mindset from when one was a kid, messing around in the woods and streams
near home or on Boy Scout trips.
So I changed tactics and went with a Pheasant Tail nymph highsticked
through plunge pools – and so after about a half hour of this tactic I
landed a 12-14 inch beauty of a wild brown – it’s the pic with the fish
resting on my net. I then proceed downstream to successive plunge
pools and deeper runs and lost two more flies, depleting my supply of
the magical pheasant tail. Tied on a new pheasant tail – this one with
a clear glass bead head and kept high sticking for a while. Bagged my
second fish, about 12″, in a later plunge pool and run adjacent to
overhanging rock.
Continued on some more, lost that glass-bead pheasant tail (shit! I’m
not sure I still have those beads) and a few more nymphs. Called a halt
around 4:30 realizing that I still had to get up a very steep bank to
the road and thence to the car. Well, I cleared the bank and wouldn’t
you know it, I could see my car, not even a 1/4 mile away. Down on
Slate Run for something like 6-7 hours it felt like I’d waded, slogged,
tripped, stumbled and slipped my way much, much further downstream.
Hopped in the car, drove along Pine Creek to Jersey Shore and then hit
the highways and byways for home. Glad I took Tuesday off, as I needed
a good chunk of the day to dry out wading boots, waders, hippers, open
fly boxes to air dry, etc. And mow the lawn.
I’m looking forward to a return engagement. Next trip will be for
smallmouth on either the Shenandoah or Potomac on Father’s Day.
Pics are here:
*** Here’s the YVNS Travel News for June:
*** 787 Dreamliner becomes reality three years behind schedule
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2011/sep/26/787-dreamliner-boeing-first-ana?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487
(Ned notes: I flew into Boston Logan on Monday 11 June from DCA on the
Shuttle and saw the JAL 787 taxi and depart to Narita.)
*** Surfing Loves Its Hot, Bikini-Clad Beauties
Are there any men that surf anymore? You’d never know if it you relied
on advertisers for comment. Now, it seems, it’s only hot, young women in
string bikinis who surf. Check out this commercial for Tribord which
lovingly caresses hot, young surfers and they become one with the water.
Created by Fred & Farid, it’s beautifully shot and a pleasure to watch.
And it makes you wish you surfed. So you could hang with these beautiful
girls.
http://www.adrants.com/2012/05/surfing-loves-its-hot-bikiniclad.php
*** 10 Places Where You Can Sleep on a Beach
Romantic Villas, Bungalows & Cottages on the Beach
Read more:
http://www.frommers.com/slideshow/index.cfm?group=1105&p=1#ixzz1vyNiOb55
*** 2012 National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest
http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/traveler-magazine/photo-contest/2012/
*** 2012 Overseas Adventure Travel photo contest
PICTURE THIS: A FREE OAT adventure for two!
http://www.oattravel.com/Community/Traveler-Photo-Contest/2012-Photo-Contest.aspx
*** Visit Costa Rica’s dense natural environment
Costa Rica recently celebrated World Environment Day, and it’s not a
surprise to see why.
*** Strange Sea Species Found Off Greenland
*** Higher baggage fees:
From Business Travel News:
United Airlines (has) raised to $100 from $70 the fee for checking a bag
on most transatlantic flights. According to a research note from Wolfe
Trahan analyst Hunter Keay, the move followed a similar upward
adjustment by Delta in January to $100 from $75 for checking a bag on
transatlantic flights and came “despite falling fuel prices.”
*** Join the Great American Backyard Campout on June 23,
www.backyardcampout.org, and spend an evening under the stars, while
raising much-needed funds for NWF programs that help get American kids
back outdoors and back into a healthy, active lifestyle
*** Giant Constrictor Snakes in Florida: A Sizeable Research Challenge
Since the mid-1990s, several species of non-native, giant constrictor
snakes, such as Burmese pythons and boa constrictors, have surfaced in
localities throughout southern Florida. Several are known or suspected
to be breeding and appear to be spreading northward. Increasingly, media
and other reports of sightings or encounters with these animals have
emphasized the dangers they could impose on native species, ecosystems,
pets, and people.
http://www.fort.usgs.gov/FLConstrictors/
*** Save Sea Turtles and Sea Turtle Habitats
by Deborah Mitchell
Sea turtles have existed for more than 100 million years, but today they
are struggling for their lives and their future. The ability of sea
turtles to survive threats from their most formidable enemy — humans —
depends on our willingness to change how we are impacting the
environment, theirs and ours.
Sea turtles play key roles in ecosystems that are critical to them as
well as to humans: the oceans, beaches, and dunes. If sea turtles were
to become extinct, the negative impact on beaches and the oceans would
be enormous.
In the oceans, for example, sea turtles, especially green sea turtles,
are one of the very few creatures (manatees are another) that eat a type
of vegetation called sea grass that grows on the sea floor. Sea grass
must be kept short to remain healthy, and beds of healthy sea grass are
essential breeding and development areas for many species of fish and
other marine life. A decline or loss of sea grass beds would mean a loss
of the marine species that directly depend on the beds, which would
trigger a chain reaction and negatively impact marine and human life.
When one part of an ecosystem is destroyed, the other parts may follow.
Beaches and dunes are a fragile ecosystem that does not get many
nutrients to support its vegetation, which is needed to help prevent
erosion. Sea turtles contribute nutrients to dune vegetation from their
eggs. Every year, sea turtles lay countless numbers of eggs in beaches
during nesting season. Along one twenty-mile stretch of beach in Florida
alone, for example, more than 150,000 pounds of eggs are laid each year.
Nutrients from hatched eggs as well as from eggs that never hatch and
from hatchlings that fail to make it into the ocean are all sources of
nutrients for dune vegetation. A decline in the number of sea turtles
means fewer eggs laid, less nutrients for the sand dunes and its
vegetation, and a higher risk for beach erosion.
All seven species of sea turtles (loggerhead, Kemp’s ridley, olive
ridley, hawksbill, green, leatherback, flatback) are protected by the
Endangered Species Act; six are endangered and one (loggerhead) is
threatened. One reason sea turtles are in jeopardy is human demand for
sea turtle parts (meat and shells) which continues to rise, even though
international trade in such items is illegal under the Conventional for
International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Other
dangers to sea turtles include entanglement in commercial fishing nets,
pollution, poaching (of eggs), and dredging of coastal areas.
The plight of sea turtles has been recognized by concerned people around
the world, and they can use your help to preserve these ancient
creatures and their habitats.
Sea turtles migrate thousands of miles to beaches around the world to
lay their eggs and to ensure perpetuation of the species. Where would
you like to go to help them?
• Be part of the sea turtle conservation effort in Ecuador, where there
are nine different locations your efforts will be appreciated. Volunteer
for 2 weeks or longer and help during nesting season or with tagging,
diving, and/or collecting samples.
• In Kenya, be part of the Watamu Turtle Watch.Volunteers help with
beach patrols, nest excavation, turtle releases, and research.
(http://www.watamuturtles.com/about/conservation-and-research/)
• An Ecovolunteer project in Thailand focuses on the leatherback, green
turtle, and olive ridley (click on “Reptiles: Sea Turtles”). Volunteers
help with these species as well as survey mangroves and reefs.
• In Costa Rica on the Pacific coast, you can help monitor turtle
nesting areas and record data, clear the beaches to facilitate nesting,
and go on nightly patrols to protect the sea turtles. Stay as little as
one week or up to four.
(http://www.i-to-i.com/volunteer-projects/costal-sea-turtle-conservation.html)
• Archelon in Greece offers a variety of opportunities to protect sea
turtles. Zakynthos, Peloponnesus, and Crete are major nesting areas and
need volunteers to monitor the beaches. Nesting and hatching season runs
from May through October. In Athens, the Sea Turtle Rehabilitation
Centre can use volunteers year-round for rehabilitation projects. There
is a four-week minimum stay requirement.
(http://www.anyworkanywhere.com/archelon.html)
Habitat destruction, human activity, and pollution are causing the
numbers of sea turtles to decline at an alarming rate. Volunteers like
you can help keep these magnificent creatures a part of the ecosystems
that help sustain us all.
*** The Basics of Pack Loading from www.rei.com:
The Bottom of the Pack
Virtually all backpacks have large openings at the top and are known as
(ta-da!) top-loading packs. A seldom-seen alternative is a panel-loading
pack which uses a zippered sidewall flap.
Nearly every backpacker shoves his or her sleeping bag into the bottom
of the pack. This is also a good place for other items you won’t need
until you make camp at night: long underwear being used as sleepwear,
for example; a pillowcase; maybe a foamless sleeping pad, if it’s the
kind that rolls up into a tiny shape.
Any other needed-only-at-night items can go down low except a headlamp
or flashlight. Always have your light source in a readily accessible
space.
Tip: Try to keep your sleeping bag separated from anything that can
transmit a fragrance. Bears can’t distinguish between food and nonfood
aromas, so toothpaste or sunscreen can attract their interest as well as
tea bags or jerky.
Some packs have a zippered opening at the bottom of the packbag, known
as the sleeping bag compartment. Lots of people love the convenience of
this compartment; others have no use for it since they never access
their bag until the end of the day. It adds a touch of weight, so
consider a pack without one.
The Pack’s Core
Your heaviest items should be placed 1) on top of your sleeping bag and
2) close to your spine. Usually these items will be:
•Your food stash, either in a couple of stuff sacks or in a bear
canister.
•Your water supply, either in a hydration reservoir or bottles.
•Your cook kit and stove might also go here, though both could be wedged
into the periphery of the load if small and light enough.
Carrying a hydration reservoir? Most newer packs include a reservoir
sleeve. This is a slot that holds a reservoir close to your back and
parallel to your spine. It’s easier to insert the reservoir while the
pack is still mostly empty, so that leaves you 2 choices:
•If you prefer efficiency, insert it at home. You’ll have a loaded pack
ready to go as soon as you reach the trailhead.
•If you want the coldest water possible, carry the reservoir in a cooler
and load it and your other middle- and upper-pack contents at the
trailhead.
Heavier items should be centered in your pack—not too high, not too low.
The goal is to create a predictable, comfortable center of gravity.
Heavy items too low cause a pack to feel saggy. Too high and the load
might feel tippy.
In the past, traditional pack-loading advice (previously published here)
recommended that for trail-walking, heavy items should be carried a
little higher in a pack. Today, with most packs designed to ride close
to the body, the best tactic is to simply keep heavy items close to the
spine and centered in the pack.
The Periphery
Wrap softer, lower-weight items around the weightier items to prevent
heavier pieces from shifting. What items are these? Your tent body,
rainfly, an insulation layer, a rain jacket. These items can help
stabilize the core and fill empty spaces.
Stash frequently used items within easy reach. This includes your map,
compass, GPS, sunscreen, sunglasses, headlamp, bug spray, first-aid kit,
snacks, rain gear, packcover, toilet paper and sanitation trowel. Place
them in the pack’s top pocket or other external pocket, if one exists.
Some packs even offer tiny pockets on the hipbelt.
If carrying liquid fuel, make sure your fuel bottle cap is on tightly.
Pack the bottle upright and place it below your food in case of a spill.
Other Tips
•Fill up empty spaces. For example, put utensils, a cup or a small item
of clothing inside your cooking pots. Fill up your bear canister.
•Split the weight of large communal items (e.g., tent) with others in
your group. You carry the main body, for example, and your friend can
carry the poles and rainfly.
•Tighten all compression straps to limit load-shifting.
The Desired Result
Ideally, a well-loaded pack will:
•Feel balanced when resting on your hips.
•Feel cohesive, a whole unit, with nothing shifting or swaying inside.
•Feel stable and predictable as you walk, at one with your upper body.
Beyond the Basics
You now know the fundamentals of loading a backpack. But for inquisitive
readers, here are some additional points of interest.
Q: Where should I pack long, rigid items such as tent poles, not-in-use
trekking poles or a rolled-up sleeping pad?
A: Packs typically provide external straps, loops and sleeve-like side
pockets where such items can be lashed or stashed.
•Tent poles: If your pack offers elasticized side pockets, place the
poles down one side of the pack, behind one or more compression straps,
with one end of the poles in the pocket.
•Sleeping pad: You may need an extra set of straps to attach it to a
lash point on the top of the pack or near your waistline on the outside
of the pack. Another option: Put it beneath your top pocket (lid) and
the top opening of the pack, then tighten the lid to the pack. The pad
may be vulnerable to slipping out either side, so secure the pad to the
pack with an extra strap or 2. Note: It’s fine to carry tent poles and a
sleeping pad inside a pack if you have the space.
•Trekking poles: Same deal; just put the grips in the pocket and the tip
pointing upward.
•Ice axe: External tool loops make it possible to carry an inverted axe
on your back until it’s needed.
•Crampons: Carry them inside your pack in a protective case. Or, lash
them to the outside of the pack as long as you use protective point
covers.
•Other tools: Some packs offer a series of external stitched loops
called a daisy chain. Use it to clip or tie small items on your pack.
Note: Minimize the amount of gear you attach to your pack’s exterior.
External items can potentially get snagged on brush in areas of dense
vegetation. Too much external gear could also jeopardize your stability.
See charts that show how much space some common backpacking items–from
ultralight to more deluxe items–occupy inside a pack at
http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/articles/loading+backpack.html.
*** Tread Lightly!’s Tips for Responsible Personal Watercraft Use
Read below for some excellent tips on how to Tread Lightly! while riding
a PWC. You can also check out this great 2-minute video
(http://www.treadlightly.org/page.php/education-videos/education-videos.html#PWC).
TRAVEL RESPONSIBLY
Travel responsibly on designated waterways and launch your watercraft in
designated areas.
• Travel only in areas open to your personal watercraft (PWC).
• Always wear a Coast Guard approved lifejacket (PFD).
• When riding, make sure your lanyard is attached to your PFD, wrist or
clothing.
• Always maintain your PWC at a safe speed. If you fall off your PWC,
always re-board from the rear.
• Keep an eye out for other boaters, objects and swimmers.
• Never jump a wake. If crossing a wake, cross at low speeds and keep a
close lookout for skiers and towables.
• Comply with all signs and respect barriers. This includes speed
limits, no-wake zones and underwater obstructions.
• Make every effort to ride with a partner on another watercraft.
• Do not ride at night. PWCs are not equipped with lights.
• Make certain your trailer lights work and your PWC is secure on the
trailer before you travel to your destination.
• Balance your load including items stowed inside your PWC.
• Don’t mix PWCs with alcohol or drugs.
RESPECT THE RIGHTS OF OTHERS
Respect the rights of others, including anglers, swimmers, skiers,
boaters, divers and others so they can enjoy their recreational
activities undisturbed.
• Show consideration to all recreationists on and around waterways.
• Be courteous to other boaters while in boat ramp areas. Launch and
retrieve your PWC as quickly as possible.
• Keep the noise down, especially around the shore.
• Do not idly ride around near beaches, picnicking areas, campgrounds or
shoreline residences.
• If crossing private property, be sure to ask permission from the
landowner(s).
EDUCATE YOURSELF
Educate yourself prior to a trip by learning rules and regulations,
planning for your trip, taking recreation skills classes and knowing how
to operate your equipment safely.
• Obtain charts of your destination and determine which areas are open
to PWCs.
• Make a realistic plan and stick to it. Always tell someone of your
travel plans.
• Contact the land manager for area restrictions, closures and permit
requirements.
• Check the weather forecast for your destination. Plan clothing,
equipment and supplies accordingly.
• Make sure you have enough fuel and oil for the entire trip.
• Make sure your owner’s manual and registration are on board in
waterproof containers.
• Always carry a Coast Guard approved working fire extinguisher and
warning flares.
• Know distress signals and warning symbols.
• Prepare for the unexpected by packing necessary emergency items.
• Carry a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit and know how to use it.
• Know your limitations. Apply sunscreen, drink lots of water and watch
your energy level.
• Take a PWC education course to learn more about navigating waterways
and safe and enjoyable PWC riding.
• Make sure your watercraft is mechanically up to the task. Be prepared
with tools, supplies and a spill kit.
AVOID SENSITIVE AREAS
Avoid sensitive areas and operating your watercraft in shallow waters or
near shorelines at high speeds.
• Always launch at a designated boat ramp. Backing a vehicle on a
riverbank or lakeshore can damage the area and lead to erosion.
• Always travel slowly in shallow waters and avoid riding in water less
than 2½ feet deep. High speeds near shorelines lead to large wakes which
cause shoreline erosion.
• Avoid sensitive areas such as seasonal nesting or breeding areas.
• Do not disturb historical, archeological or paleontological sites.
• Avoid “spooking” wildlife you encounter and keep your distance.
• Motorized and mechanized vehicles are not allowed in designated
Wilderness Areas.
DO YOUR PART
Do your part by modeling appropriate behavior, leaving the area better
than you found it, properly disposing of fuel, oil and waste, avoiding
the spread of invasive species and restoring degraded areas.
• Pack out what you pack in.
• Carry a trash bag and pick up litter left by others.
• When fueling a watercraft, take every precaution not to spill fuel
into the water.
• Be prepared. Carry a spill kit, which includes absorbent pads, socks
and booms.
• Use a fuel collar or bib when fueling to catch drips and overflow and
prevent backsplash.
• Observe proper sanitary waste disposal or pack your waste out.
• Before and after a trip, wash your gear, PWC, and support vehicle to
reduce the spread of invasive species. Make sure to remove all plant
material from your PWC, motor, trailer and other gear and dispose on dry
land in a garbage container. Also drain livewells, bilge water and
transom wells at the boat launch prior to leaving.
Take Boat U.S. Foundation’s free online boater education course:
http://www.boatus.org/onlinecourse/default.asp
Educate Yourself and take an Online Boater Safety and License Course
(http://www.boaterexam.com/usa/).
For more in-depth information about Personal Watercraft, download the
Tread Lightly! Guide to Responsible Personal Watercraft Use
(http://www.treadlightly.org/files/page_text/PWCGB07.pdf).
Click here to get more tips for all kinds of outdoor recreation
(http://www.treadlightly.org/page.php/education-recreationtips/Recreation-Tips.html).
*** Trail/Outdoor/Conservation volunteer opportunities:
1.) Philmont Scout Ranch Volunteer Vacation, Cimarron, New Mexico
Boy Scouts, Boy Scout Alumni, and Boy Scout affiliates, we invite you to
an exclusive opportunity to participate in a week of trail stewardship
at Philmont Scout Ranch, Boy Scouts of America’s largest high-adventure
base located in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of northeast New Mexico.
American Hiking Society and Boy Scouts of America have teamed up to
offer this special Volunteer Vacation in one of America’s iconic hiking
destinations. The week of stewardship is scheduled for Sept. 22-29,
2012, and is sure to provide participants with an unforgettable
backcountry adventure, pristine hiking, and camaraderie from fellow crew
members.
Boy Scouts, Boy Scout Alumni, and outdoor industry professionals, we
invite you to an exclusive opportunity to participate in a week of trail
stewardship at Philmont Scout Ranch, Boy Scouts of America’s largest
high-adventure base located in the Sangre de Cristo Mountain of
northeast
New Mexico. Jointly organized by American Hiking Society and Boy
Scouts of America, this week of trail building will provide you with an
unforgettable backcountry adventure, pristine hiking, and camaraderie
from fellow crew members.
TRIP ITINERARY
Saturday, 9/22/12: Volunteers arrive at Philmont Scout Ranch Camping
Headquarters, Cimarron, New Mexico
Sunday, 9/23/12: Crew departs CHQ and hikes to a backcountry camp,
which will be basecamp for the rest of the week
Monday, 9/24/12 – 9/28/12: Trail Stewardship projects taking place in
multiple locations
Friday, 9/28/12: Crew breaks down camp and hikes back to CHQ for
the last night
Saturday, 9/29/12: Volunteers travel home
TRIP DETAILS
Free time will be included to ensure all volunteers have the opportunity
to take advantage of the multitude of outdoor recreation activities in
the
area like hiking, fly fishing, and orienteering.
Volunteers will be led by experienced BSA Crew Leaders
All meals will be provided during the week
Applications are due Friday, June 15, 2012.
Download the registration form or get more information about Philmont at
the Philmont Scout Ranch website.
2.) Volunteer Visitor Services, Blue Hills Trailside Museum, Milton, MA
Help out in our new visitor service and gift shop area! We need
friendly, reliable folks to staff our front desk area. Answer general
park and museum inquiries; sell admissions and gift shop items.
Informal, educational setting.
Qualifications: We need someone with a pleasant and professional manner,
who will make our visitors and callers’ feel welcome. A weekly
commitment required. Training is provided. Must be at least 15 years of
age.
To inquire about this position:
To request a volunteer application call: Blue Hills Trailside Museum at
(617) 333-0690 ext. 223
http://www.massaudubon.org/Jobs/index.php?type=Volunteer#BlueHillsTrailsideMuseum
3.) Trail Maintenance Volunteer opportunity, Mountains Recreation and
Conservation Authority, Santa Clarita, CA
http://www.volunteermatch.org/search/opp413350.jsp
4.) Downhill ski and snowboard instructor Junior Volunteers (JRVs),
Youth Enrichment Services, Boston, MA
Youth Enrichment Services (YES) is a unique and well-established youth
development organization that introduces Boston kids and teens to the
great outdoors through skiing, snowboarding, biking, hiking, rock
climbing, and other sports. Our Operation SnowSports and Outdoor
Adventure programs instill positive values, help kids develop a healthy
lifestyle, and teach teamwork. YES also runs the YES Academy which
provides year-round opportunities for youth to learn the critical skills
needed to be successful in college, work, and life. YES has been
providing youth development, leadership, and enrichment programs for the
past 44 years and has served over 100,000 Boston kids!
Our JRVs are already part of the YES Family! They’re veterans of YES ski
trips, and now they’re ready for more. The JRV program provides
opportunities for community service and civic engagement and trains
YESkids to be downhill ski and snowboard instructors. As instructors,
they teach others how to put it together safely on the slopes and also
act as positive role models for their peers during outings and classes.
Last year, 65 students trained to be JRVs.
We use a tiered youth development model to track each JRV’s progress.
Using the same green, blue and black-diamond designations that mark the
ski and snowboard trails, YES tracks each JRV’s progress in school,
community service, on-site training, civic engagement, and other
development areas. JRV’s are recognized for their accomplishments and
attainment of each developmental level receiving complimentary
ski/snowboard passes.
JRVs are required to dedicate the following:
•One weekend day per month of slope time
•Weekly 3-hour shift in the rental shop, involved in community service
or on-site training
•An instructional training weekend trip
The Junior Volunteer Program is currently accepting applications for the
2012-2013 winter season will be posted in August, 2012 and will be due
October 15, 2012.
YES Junior Volunteer Application – Outdoor Adventure 2012
http://www.yeskids.org/get-involved/Volunteer/#3
5.) Volunteers – Enjoy and Promote Native Plant Landscaping, Kul Kah
Han Gardens, Jefferson County Parks and Recreation Department, Chimacum,
Washington
This one acre demonstration garden represents 5 ecosystems in the
Pacific Northwest and currently displays over 150 native plant species.
Volunteers learn how and where to grow these plants in home gardens
through hands on experience. Educational events on topics related to
native plants are held each year such as ethnobotany, usage by birds,
beneficial micorrhyzae, propagation and more. Work parties are held
every Wednesday from 10am-4pm from March through October. A short
educational demonstration and refreshments are offered after the work
party around 3:30pm on the last Wednesday of each month. For more
information contact Linda Landkammer, Designer-In-Chief, at
wild4nature@isomedia.com or 360-379-8733 or visit our website
www.nativeplantgarden.wordpress.com
Current Volunteer Openings
WATER NEWLY PLANTED SPECIES:
Once a week from mid May – mid September (for about 2 hours) follow pre-
planned watering schedule in designated beds. Lots of quiet time while
hand watering and you can boost the psyches of our plants by talking to
them.
DIG EXTRA PLANTS:
Dig starts from the garden and pot up for the nursery. Place labels in
pots. (2 hrs/mo.)
PATH MAINTENANCE GROUP:
We need 2-4 people to come once a month to walk the paths nd remove
weeds/leaves/twigs that have fallen there.
MONTANE STEWARD- Become a Co-Steward or assist Carol Scrol in Enlarging
and planting one new bed. Plants available: Fools Huckleberry, Scarlet
Paintbrush, Oregon Boxwood, etc. (2-3 hrs/wk)
MEADOW STEWARD- Plant out the boulder outcropping. Deadhead the
yellow yarrow in late summer and remove some of it. Enlarge the Garry
Oak area. (2-3 hours a week)
VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR- (1 hour a week) Can be whatever you want to make
it. Recruit, find out what volunteers want to get out of their
experience, find ways to thank them, schedule Greywolf onto the
calendar, etc.
PROJECT COORDINATOR- Oversee the activity of the following people:
Volunteer Coordinator, Public Outreach , Fundraiser.
WHATEVER YOUR PERSPECTIVE. . .You benefit when you participate as a
Volunteer, Steward, Donor, or Sponsor
Volunteer Gardeners enjoy and promote Native Plant Landscaping
-Join Us As We. . .
* Install and maintain Pacific Northwest native plants in the garden
* Grow seeds and propagate plants
* Teach and demonstrate their qualities, uses, and benefits
* Train visitors to use and enjoy native plants on their own
* Practice environmental responsibility
Yes, You Can Work with Us!
Contribute something of great value — demonstrate your support for the
use of native plants. Feel the sense of accomplishment that comes from
seeing the improvements you make. You’ll grow in wisdom about Pacific
Northwest native plants as you work with knowledgeable and experienced
native plant enthusiasts.
Volunteering in the Garden has some material rewards –
* Stewards receive free plants for labor
* Volunteers purchase native plants at reduced cost
* Master Gardeners earn hours toward certification
* Volunteers may attend field trips to native plant nurseries
BECOME A GARDEN VOLUNTEER
If you’d like to work in this Garden in 2012, just come to H. J. Carroll
Park on any Wednesday anytime between 10am-4pm.Be sure to bring gloves,
drinking water, and your favorite weeding tool. The jobs are mainly
weeding, deadheading, planting and mulching. Your efforts will be very
much appreciated.
Please view the Calendar Page for possible updates.
On the last Wednesday of each month, at the end of the work session,
there will be a short plant demonstration. Afterwards, volunteers may
purchase plants from our nursery stock at a discount.
BECOME A GARDEN STEWARD
Each garden area mimics a Northwest native ecosystem. Each has a Steward
who watches over that area, helping to plan the development of each new
bed or path. The Steward also helps to decide which plants will be
procured and planted there. Plan to spend at least two hours a week as
a Garden Steward.
Stewards usually learn more because of their focused involvement. They
receive free plants at the end of each month. Our monthly news blog,
“News From The Natives,” will list openings for Stewardship positions.
Present Stewards are identified on the Team Page.
JOIN THE SUPPORT TEAM
There are many opportunities to support our mission in ways other than
weeding and planting. They might include photography, graphic design,
sending timely emails or building a trellis. Whatever your skills, check
our News blog for our current wish list.
DONORS – SUPPORT OUR MISSION AND VISION
Your financial or material gift promotes native plant benefits for
everyone by helping us achieve our mission.
Our material needs range from granite boulders, to hoses, to lumber.
Please check the News blog Page and consult the current issue to see
what we are seeking
SPONSORS – PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS WITH US
We’re glad to provide media space for our sponsors who donate or sponsor
an event. Promote your business on this web site.
Call for promotional arrangements to match your type and level of giving
– 360-379-8733.
http://nativeplantgarden.wordpress.com/participate/
http://nativeplantgarden.wordpress.com/
*** National Rail-Trail of the month:
Trail of the Month: June 2012
West Virginia’s Greenbrier River Trail
By Jake Lynch
Though I live in Washington, D.C., West Virginia is still a huge part of
my life. It’s a salve and a haven, just a few hours drive away.
It’s family, too. My wife was born and raised in West Virginia, so she
and I often make the weekend trip over to Charleston, beating the
traffic out of town on a Friday afternoon. Driving west out of D.C.,
passing rivers and mountains, I’m like a dog with my head out the
window. The smells, the colors, the endless forests—they quickly wash
away the stresses of the big smoke.
The Greenbrier River Trail, through Greenbrier and Pocahontas counties
in east-central West Virginia, is the perfect embodiment of these
sensations. In its 78-mile length, the rail-trail contains many of the
elements that make the Mountain State one of America’s favorite
retreats: the peaks and valleys, the lush forests, the pioneering
history, the genuine hospitality of its small towns, and, of course, the
river. Sometimes silent and lazy, in other seasons full and ambitious,
the Greenbrier River is an almost constant companion to the trail and
flavors the journey at every step.
Trains ran here around the turn of the 20th century. Construction began
on what would become the Greenbrier Division of the Chesapeake and Ohio
Railway (C&O) in 1899, and for the next 77 years trains hugging the
river carried lumber and passengers beyond the valley and through
eastern West Virginia.
When the line became unprofitable in the 1970s, the last remaining
depots closed their doors. But when C&O donated the corridor to the
state, a new opportunity emerged. Realizing the tremendous resource
before them, local communities mobilized a force of trail supporters and
volunteers behind the effort, and three decades later the Greenbrier
River Trail is one of the most famous and well-loved rail-trails in
America, and an object of tremendous pride among the communities that
built it. (As of this June, in fact, the trail is the newest member of
the Rail-Trail Hall of Fame.)
My wife and I took some friends to the trail this past April. We had
visited a few times before, but the area changes so much from season to
season that it seemed as new and as compelling to us as it did to our
friends, who were first-timers.
We stayed in a cabin in Seneca State Forest, adjacent to the northern
reaches of the trail. It was inexpensive, comfortable, deep in the
forest and without electricity—I cannot recommend these cabins highly
enough (they’re called “Pioneer Cabins”). It was a bit of ride from our
cabin to the river crossing point onto the trail at Clover Lick, but an
easy drive when we revisited the trail the next day. There are similar
cabins, and campgrounds, at Watoga State Park, some 30 miles south along
the trail.
Whether it was the environment or the great company, the rain that
weekend took nothing from the pleasure of our adventure. I had ridden
the trail in fair weather before and could recall the sun glinting off
the river. This time, the cool of a wet weekend in late spring brought
its own gratification—we had the trail and river to ourselves.
The pallet of my native Australia is browns, dusty yellows and blues, so
I am constantly hypnotized by the incredible green of this part of the
world. The river and the trail are surrounded by forest and the
occasional clearing; hemlock, red spruce, oak, pine, honeysuckle and
azalea—even the occasional balsam fir, rarely seen this far south. In
the few sections where the river leaves the trail, the water is replaced
by light strands of forest.
Watoga Bridge, at mile marker 47.9 north of Watoga State Park, and
another about 10 miles north of Marlinton, bring the trail back and
forth across the river. This later bridge, known by some as the
Greenbrier River Bridge, is one of the more memorable features of the
trail. Built in 1900 by the Pencoyd Iron Works in Pennsylvania, it spans
230 feet and curves from Sharps Tunnel at its north, bending south with
the river.
The next 10 miles from Sharps Tunnel to Marlinton take you through a
great slice of Greenbrier scenery. If you only have a day to spare, I
recommend this section. Coming in and out of Marlinton also gives you a
chance for a good meal and a bed right off the trail in town.
We took advantage of those amenities the next morning, when we realized
we had prepared poorly in terms of sustenance. Luckily for us, the
terrific Dirt Bean Café and Bike Shop opens early, and we were able to
pick up a few delicious egg and bacon biscuits—one each for on the spot,
and a couple more for the backpack. During our subsequent visit to
Seneca State Forest, we prepared a little better and were able to pick
up all manner of snacks and drinks at an excellent gas station and
supermarket south of Greenbank along State Route 28/92. Farther north,
the larger communities of Moorefield and Petersburg will have most
anything you might need.
One of the best features of the Greenbrier River Trail is that it has
achieved accessibility without compromising its remote character. A
number of small shelters and fire-rings along the trail provide
hospitality for trail users, yet these amenities feel more like genuine
relics of the pioneering days than intruding modern amenities. The
old-fashioned water pumps and restored depot buildings along the way
contribute to this vibe.
Most trailheads pop out into tiny communities of well-kept
colonial-style homes, among lovely valleys and far from any sounds but
the river. The roads are windy and often rough, so cars move at a pace
appropriate to the relaxed nature of the scene. Though the northern
reaches of the trail are a little wilder and isolated than the southern,
the difference is not marked, and any stretch of this wonderful trail
has a wilderness feel.
We learned recently that West Virginia State Parks has completed the
much-needed connection to the trail from the town of Cass. Visitors from
the north and northwest are now able to cut some time from their drive
to reach a convenient trailhead, and the new section will also encourage
trail users to explore this historical railroad town.
Though a much smaller community, this direct link will no doubt help
Cass as it has helped Marlinton, but without infringing on the natural
landscape. And that, perhaps, is what we love most about the trail; it
brings us into the precious wild environment of West Virginia without
lessening it. The towns along its route have been sustained by the
trail, but not compromised. This balance is evident in wild stretches
along the pathway and in the communities that connect to it, and both of
these qualities count highly among the journey’s many charms.
http://www.railstotrails.org/news/recurringFeatures/trailMonth/index.html
*** Travel/Adventure/Outdoors/Conservation employment opportunities:
1.) Development Director, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, Denver,
Colorado
http://www.execsearches.com/non-profit-jobs/jobDetail.asp?job_id=24163
2.) Camp Host – 2012, Yukon River Camp [Summer], Sukakpak and Northern
Alaska Tour Company, Yukon River Camp, Alaska
Responsible for assisting with all front-of-the-house activities
[including greeting, serving, bussing, cashiering] related to both menu
and buffet service in a fast-paced roadside cafe.
$7.75 / hour + room and meals + $1,000.00 transportation
reimbursement season completion bonus
Spend your summer living and working on the banks of Alaska’s famed
Yukon River!
In mid-may, eight-foot thick ice on the world’s fifth largest river will
grunt, groan and crack before breaking free and beginning the long
journey downriver towards the Bering Sea. By mid-June, both commercial
and subsistence fishers ply the Yukon’s water as they work to set up
seasonal fish camps in preparation for a season of netting the legendary
Yukon River King Salmon as they pass by on their 2,000-mile long
spawning run. By late-July, adventurers in canoes and rafts pass,
retracing the route of gold seekers who rode the waters of the mighty
Yukon on their way to gold fields 100 years prior. By early-September,
hunters and their boats descend on the Yukon River en masse, using its
extended waterways to full advantage in an intense search for the mighty
Yukon moose and the critical food source it will provide for the long
winter ahead. By early-November, cold temperatures have once again
formed a thick icy cap over the Yukon’s now frigid waters, signaling
that winter has settled in once again.
At the center of all this activity is Yukon River Camp, providing food,
lodging, fuel and other services to both visitors and residents of the
region. Yukon River Camp is a summer seasonal operation located at mile
56 on the Dalton Highway [Alaska’s wilderness highway to the Arctic
Ocean] at the north end of the only bridge to cross the Yukon River in
Alaska and just 60 miles south of the Arctic Circle.
The focal point of Yukon River Camp is a popular and busy restaurant
open from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. The diverse menu caters both to the
tastes of those guests satisfied by a juicy flame-broiled burger, and to
the tastes of those guests who instead wish to indulge in a meal of
grilled salmon with melon salsa and three-pepper risotto or
horseradish-encrusted halibut with mango salsa and soft polenta [a dish
recently featured along with Yukon River Camp in the National Culinary
Review]. The top-notch menu items and friendly service makes Yukon River
Cafe a travelers oasis along the Dalton Highway.
The small coworker population and seasonal status of Yukon River Camp is
ideal for a person looking to enjoy the profound simplicity of summer
along the banks of Alaska’s Yukon River.
*** From Andrew Hudson’s JobsList:
3.) Director of Outdoor Education, The White Mountain School,
Bethlehem, NH
The White Mountain School seeks a passionate, energetic educator to
serve as Director of Outdoor Education. Duties will begin August 21,
2012. Founded in 1886, The White Mountain School is a boarding school
(grades 9-12) located in the beautiful White Mountains of New Hampshire.
We are blessed with a remarkable community and dedicated faculty
members.
This position is responsible for the management and continued
improvement of all Outdoor Education programs at The White Mountain
School. These programs include twice yearly five-day field courses for
the full school community (120 students), a three-day orientation trip
for the full school, daily outdoor instructional sports, student
leadership development, and other sponsored events. The ideal candidate
will have strong technical skills in rock climbing, whitewater kayaking,
ice climbing and backcountry skiing. The candidate should also have
excellent interpersonal/ leadership skills and a solid background in
education. Our climbing program is accredited by the American Mountain
Guides Association (AMGA) so a certified “Rock Instructor” is desired
but a minimum of “Single Pitch” Instructor is required. Other
certifications may include Wilderness First Responder, Avalanche Level
I,II,II, ACA, and Swift water Rescue.
Other responsibilities include those typical of a boarding school job:
dormitory residence and supervision, and serving as an advisor to
students. A candidate must be passionate about working with students,
have a sense of humor, and fully embrace the active lifestyle of a
boarding school.
Candidates should send cover letter and resume via email to Nate Snow,
Assistant Head of School (nate.snow@whitemountain.org).
http://careers.nais.org/jobs/4791014/director-of-outdoor-education
4.) Partnership Outreach Coordinator, Colorado Parks and Wildlife,
Denver, CO
Type of Announcement: This position is open only to Colorado state
residents.
Closing Date/Time: Thu. 06/28/12 11:59 PM Mountain Time
Primary Physical Work Address: Colorado Parks and Wildlife, 6060
Broadway, Denver, CO 80216
Salary: $4,733.00 – $6,828.00 Monthly
Salary Note: Although the full salary range for this position is
provided, appointments are typically made at or near the range minimum.
FLSA Status: Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.
Job Type: Full Time
Who Competes: Individuals eligible for transfer, non-disciplinary
(voluntary) demotion, or reinstatement will be considered outside the
competitive assessment process for this vacancy. Personnel Board Rule
does not guarantee an interview to these individuals. Those who qualify
as transfer, non-disciplinary (voluntary) demotion, or reinstatement who
wish to participate in the competitive process must notify the HR office
of this preference.
Location: Adams County, Colorado
How To Apply: Thank you for your interest. Submit an on-line
application by clicking the link below or submit a State of Colorado
Application for Announced Vacancy and all supplemental questions
according to the instructions provided below. Failure to submit a
complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your
application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application
materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before
the closing date and time listed above.
If not applying on-line, submit application to: Colorado Parks and
Wildlife, 6060 Broadway, Denver, CO 80216, OR fax to: (303) 291-7210
Department Contact Information: Janice Santistevan, HR Specialist,
(303) 291-7411
Methods of Appointment: Appointment to the vacancy or vacancies
represented by this announcement is expected to be from the eligible
list created or the transfer, non-disciplinary (voluntary) demotion or
reinstatement applicants. However, there is the possibility that
appointment(s), for valid, articulated business reasons may be made by
transfer, reinstatement, disciplinary or non-disciplinary demotion,
trial service reversion, placement due to return from military service
or another method of appointment not stated.
Transcripts Required: An unofficial copy of transcripts must be
submitted at the time of application. Transcripts from colleges or
universities outside the United States must be assessed for U.S.
equivalency by a NACES educational credential evaluation service. This
documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and must be
included as part of your application materials. Failure to provide a
transcript or credential evaluation report may result in your
application being rejected and you will not be able to continue in the
selection process for this announcement.
http://agency.governmentjobs.com/colorado/default.cfm?action=viewJob&jobID=472094
*** Send your job opportunities to share with the YVNS network to
lundquist989@cs.com.
*** Your Very Next Step is a service of the Job of the Week Network LLC
© 2012 The Job of the Week Network LLC
Edward Lundquist, ABC –
Editor and Publisher
Your Very Next Step
7813 Richfield Road
Springfield, VA 22153
Home office phone: (703) 455-7661
lundquist989@cs.com
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