|
||
|
|
TAKE ACTIONAWC's Wilderness Stewards Program on the Prescott National Forest
The goal of the new Wilderness Stewardship Program is to empower Arizona’s communities and volunteers with in-depth training, resources, and logistical support in order to monitor and restore wilderness areas across the public domain. As part of the U.S. Forest Service’s 10-year Wilderness Stewardship Challenge, AWC has partnered with the Prescott National Forest and the National Forest Foundation to address pressing issues that face our wilderness areas in light of increased visitation, decreased federal resources, and magnified ecological impacts such as invasive species. The program, which will train dedicated volunteers as long-term “stewards,” will also engage short-term volunteers on a weekend basis. “With hundreds of volunteer events under our belt, we learned that a combination of weekend volunteer events would compliment a more in-depth steward effort that can maintain data consistency and presence in a particular area” says Sam Frank, AWC’s Central Arizona Director. “The Wilderness Stewardship Program allows us to coordinate bigger, more focused restoration and monitoring efforts in the areas we need them most.” See one of AWC's recent stewardship trips to Sycamore Canyon Wilderness.
Volunteer Opportunities Volunteers can participate in events as their schedules permit, or take a more involved role in the program by "adopting" a wilderness area or wilderness trails. Activities include various trail maintenance and improvement projects, hiking or horseback riding trails, social interactions with other outdoor enthusiasts, and gaining general knowledge on a host of natural topics such as wildlife, geography, public lands, and plant identification. Volunteers interested in helping with other general support activities, such as adminsitrative duties, are encouraged to get involved. No experience necessary to participate! Check out our list of volunteer opportunities through the fall and winter here. Training Opportunities In addition to the general monitoring and reporting on conditions in the wilderness areas, Stewards also have opportunities to get involved with trail maintenance and other hands-on activities. Training events for Wilderness Stewards are planned for beginning and advanced trail maintenance activities, recreation site monitoring, invasive species monitoring, public contact procedures and other activities to assist with meeting the program goals. Please contact the Volunteer Coordinator or Wilderness Ranger for information concerning the schedule for upcoming events.
Wilderness Volunteer Requirements:
Wilderness Steward Requirements:
|
  |
The Prescott National Forest Wilderness Stewards Program is a pilot volunteer-based program, formed in 2010, to assist the U.S. Forest Service with activities to maintain, protect, and restore the character of the eight designated wilderness areas within the Prescott National Forest, and to involve members of the public in wilderness stewardship issues. 
