September Volunteer eNews

projects, hosting opportunities, your state parks day

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September 2014

Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites

> IN THIS ISSUE: Your State Parks Day, upcoming projects, host orientation videos

Cloudland Canyon Fire Pit

Volunteers build a firepit perfect for story-telling...

Several of our parks had unfinished projects waiting for additional funding and volunteers when we were close to wrapping up the 2014 Fiscal Year.  We had just enough in the volunteer budget to spread a little love around the state.  Check out the great firepit construction before and after pictures on our facebook page!

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Did you know?

Host Orientation Videos

See a sampling of video interviews from hosts currently in our parks.  More videos will be added as they become available.

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Jarrell

Jarrell Plantation needs Volunteers

Love history and sharing it with others?  We are seeking volunteers to help with programs at Jarrell Plantation! Click here to email for more information about this opportunity.

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gloves

Your State Parks Day - Sept 27th

Free admission, dozens of volunteer projects and family-friendly events are sponsored by Friends of Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites on September 27th to showcase how parks enrich communities and the importance of local volunteerism.

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Upcoming Volunteer Events

Bike Trails Work and Ride

biking

Saturday, September 13, 2014

Hard Labor Creek State Park - Rutledge, GA

Join park staff and volunteers for some time spent working on the bike trail, and a guided trail ride afterward. If you assist with trail work there is no charge for the ride.

RSVP 706-557-3001

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Hemlock Day

hemlock treatment

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Cloudland Canyon State Park - Rising Fawn, GA

A Hemlock Facilitator Workshop will presented by Save Georgia's Hemlocks will be from 8:30 am - 1:30 pm at the Interpretive Center. Then an Hemlock treatment project will be hosted from 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm for those interested in some hands on experience.

$5 parking. 706-657-4050.

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Rivers Alive Little River Clean Up

canoe

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Reed Bingham State Park - Adel, GA

It's time again for the annual River's Alive Little River cleanup. Volunteers are welcome to bring their own kayaks and canoes to join the paddling team down the river for trash collecting. Boats are available at half price rental. The lake cleanup crew will be walking the lake perimeter removing trash from the water’s shores.

$5 boat rental. $5 parking. 229-896-3551.

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Hosting Opportunties

"Hosts are our link between good customer service and great customer service." ~Suzanne Passmore, manager - Reed Bingham State Park

Hosts are needed throughout the state.  Check out the Host Timeline. Click on the green lines indicate availability.  Fill out the application in full and submit.  Once/If your registration and background check is clear, your application is sent to the park managers to fill most immediate vacancies first and then those that are in the near future. 

See list of Host Availability here:

http://gastateparks.org/volunteer/hosts

Hosts

NEWS

Hours


LOG YOUR VOLUNTEER AND HOST HOURS

Our volunteers and hosts are encouraged to log their hours online. There are incentives that are mailed to you once you reach critical hours documented!  Log your hours HERE!

Congratulations and a great big THANK YOU to those volunteers that have reached the Over 500 Hour Club. You will receive your note in the mail within the next few weeks.

 


Volunteers Defined: We love and need them all!

Community Volunteers-Help on a day-to-day basis at a Park as they are available. Our community volunteers help with leading hikes, helping with maintenance, assisting with the visitor or retail center, guide new visitors to park activities and locations. Those volunteering more than once per month or planning to volunteer more than 20 hours per year need to update registration.

Hosts (Campground, Yurt, Maintenance, Golf, Train)-Stay in their personal RV at designated free Host Site for 2-6 months in exchange for a minimum of 24 hours of volunteer work.  Host duties include: visitor assistance and maintenance.  All hosts are required to update registration to still be considered for hosting.

Group Volunteers-This is for Churches, Corporations, Scouts and Universities who want a tailor-made project that will strengthen the group as individuals as well as a team morale while assisting Georgia State Parks. Only the group leader will need to be registered in our system.

 

How are we doing?

In order for Georgia State Parks to continue to thrive and grow, even in these lean budget times, we need to get feedback from those that utilize our services and Parks. As Volunteers and Hosts, you have the same rights and anonymity in park observations and feedback as our Park Staff.  Please use this quick survey form to share your experiences with us.


Thanks for reading!  Please feel free to share with others.  If you need to contact me, Georgia State Parks Volunteer Coordinator: nyleta.wallace@gadnr.org

As always, thank you for being a steward for Georgia State Parks!

Have a great day!