Gifford Pinchot Wilderness Stewardship Program

A Wilderness Steward is anyone who can help us maintain, protect and restore wilderness. Wilderness areas on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest include: Mount Adams, Trapper Creek, Indian Heaven, Glacier View, Goat Rocks, William O. Douglas and Tatoosh.

Specific activities can include:

*Spending weekends or weekdays in the wilderness at popular destinations making visitor contacts and monitoring conditions along with doing some site clean-up (usually minimal). Your role is one of education, not enforcement.

Roles include: 

Volunteer Trailhead Host

• Trailhead hosts will be stationed at popular trailheads. Volunteer hosts will be stationed at trailheads and provide information about the wilderness such as Leave No Trace practices. Ideally, they will need some supplies like pop up tents with bug nets, tables, and chairs. We do not currently have the supplies or capacity to support this type of volunteer, however some volunteers may be able to self-support and complete this task. The trailhead hosts will be required to complete Volunteer Trailhead Host Training with a ranger. 

Volunteer Ranger 

• Volunteer Rangers will help in the field with the full suite of ranger tasks aside from law enforcement and climbing ranger work. They will require some form of identification (volunteer vest, shirt and/or hat as well as necessary personal protective equipment.) This type of volunteer is required to work with a Ranger or Lead Volunteer when they are in the field.

Lead Volunteer Ranger

• Lead Volunteer Rangers work independently in the field and can lead other volunteers. This position requires on the job training and approval by the program manager. They will require some form of identification (volunteer vest, shirt and/or hat as well as necessary personal protective equipment.) We will provide these volunteers with a badge and nametag. As the program evolves, we may investigate issuing the volunteer a uniform. This position requires a two-way communication device (in reach/radio/sat phone etc.) The Lead will be required to fill out a Trail Communication Plan for each day they work and submit it to their “Tracker,” dispatch, and the Wilderness Program Manager.

Volunteer Climbing Ranger

• Volunteer climbing rangers will work with rangers on the South Climb route of Mount Adams. This position will require a ranger check and program manager approval. To be considered for the program, the volunteer will need to have previous technical mountaineering experience. They will need to have successfully, independently, climbed Mount Adams or a mountain of equal or more elevation, technical difficulty and elevation gain from trailhead to summit. The Volunteer Climbing Rangers will not work on the mountain without a climbing ranger.

The level of experience needed, depends on the steward activity you are interested in pursuing. For example, field going stewards should have backpacking or equestrian experience. Those wishing to work with climbing rangers should have mountaineering experience. Similarly, those making groups presentations should feel comfortable speaking in front of a crowd.

For most activities, we will provide training and mentoring for stewards to ensure that they feel comfortable and safe performing their duties. The best experience you can bring to the program is enthusiasm, flexibility, people skills, and a love of wilderness.

We would prefer that stewards make a commitment of the equivalent of at least 4 weekends or weekdays (or 8 single days). This can include a combination of steward activities. For example, some summer weekends in the field, and some group presentations in the off-season. It is important that folks make realistic estimates about their ability to participate.

It is possible and preferable for wilderness stewards to take their spouse, friend, or family members with them to the field. So instead of cutting into time spent with family and friends, it can be a delightful experience for all of you. The others with you would not be signed up as stewards unless they went through the training, but going out with others provides an added layer of safety.

Field-going stewards should have the usual equipment needed to stay in the backcountry (good boots, tent, pack, bag, stove, etc.). We provide stewards with standard steward uniform components consisting of a long sleeve t-shirt, ball cap, volunteer badge, and name tag. We provide field going stewards with radios for communication and maps. We also provide any other special equipment that might be needed for your steward duties.

The work of a Wilderness Stewards is rewarding, and the opportunity to accomplish it in such a memorable setting is an added benefit. Preserving the wilderness resource matters to most of the visitors you will encounter, and it is not uncommon to be thanked you for your service. After 16 hours of service it is possible obtain an annual Northwest Forest Passes which is required at many trailheads and recreation sites throughout the Northwest Region. For those that are considering natural resources or outdoor education as a possible career, this is an opportunity to gain valuable firsthand experience and network.

Wilderness has touched the lives of so many people. Even the people that may never visit wilderness benefit from the clean water and intact ecosystems it provides. Perhaps the greatest benefit of working as a volunteer Wilderness Steward is the opportunity to preserve this gift for both the current and future generations.