Death Valley looking for drop-in volunteers

Death Valley National Park is looking for nature lovers to chip in some time and volunteer.

Volunteer service days will take place during the holiday season, where people can take part in making sure Death Valley is clean and trash-free, all the while enjoying the great outdoors.

During the holiday season, the National Park Service wants children to go outside while giving back to Death Valley. According to Death Valley officials, cleanups and other special holiday drop-in project days are an ideal activity for travelers and families to spend quality time together over the Thanksgiving weekend and winter break.

With mild temperatures during the winter months, this time of year is a popular one to explore the desert landscape in more enjoyable weather than the torrid summer months.

The next volunteer service days are this Friday and Saturday, from 9 a.m. until noon. Those interested in providing their time and effort are asked to meet at the Furnace Creek Campground Amphitheater by 9 a.m.

Volunteers will be utilized to help clean up campground and day use areas. Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m., with work lasting from 9 a.m. to noon.

Details for each second Saturday volunteer project will be available the week before on Death Valley’s website and in the Furnace Creek Visitor Center. Details will also be available the week before each volunteer event at www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/calendar.htm.

The drop-in days require no special skills. The Death Valley staff just recommends bringing a water bottle, a hat, sunscreen, sturdy outdoor shoes, work or gardening gloves if you have them, and a “can-do attitude.”

If this weekend doesn’t work with one’s time schedule, other drop-in volunteer service projects are also scheduled for the second Saturday of each month through April. Those dates include Dec. 10, Jan. 14, Feb. 11, March 11, and April 8.

Any groups (scouts, club, school group, community organization, etc.) who would like to plan a service project of their own in Death Valley, various options for varying ages are available.

These volunteer opportunities allow the attendees to learn something about Death Valley while helping to maintain the important natural and cultural resources. Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts can earn a special National Park Service patch for their volunteer service.

If you have any questions about drop-in days or to set up a group project, contact Kira Lucier at deva_volunteer@nps.gov or call 760-786-3282.

Contact reporter Mick Akers at makers@pvtimes.com. Follow @mickakers on Twitter.