Mt. Rainier is seen from Mowich Section Road in the Mount Rainier National Park.
Mount Rainier National Park plans to celebrate National Public Lands Day on Saturday, with four volunteer projects open to public participation and free entrance into the park.
“The work day caps a busy summer in which more than 2,000 people have contributed to the protection of Mount Rainier’s natural and cultural treasures and helped serve its visitors,” according to a news release from the park.
More than 100,000 individuals are expected to participate in National Public Lands Day events all over the country, according to the park.
“Volunteers work throughout Mount Rainier National Park to maintain and patrol trails, assist and educate visitors, conduct research as community scientists, plant native plants, and help with dozens of other projects. Last year, 2,533 volunteers and interns contributed 69,181 hours of service, work valued at $1.76 million,” according to the news release from the National Park.
In addition to there being no fees for entrance to the park on Saturday, volunteers will receive an additional coupon for free admission on a day of their choice.
Members of the public are invited to join in the day’s work. Families are welcome! Registration begins at 8 a.m. at Longmire, in the southwest corner of the park.
Directions are at www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/directions.htm After a brief welcome at 9 a.m. participants will divide into four work groups, according to their interests and skills.
The groups include revegetation, in which volunteers will help plant native plants at Paradise, around the Paradise Inn and Wonderland Trail maintenance, in which volunteers will work with the Washington Trails Association and Northwest Youth Corps to do trail maintenance on the Wonderland Trail near Longmire.
The Wonderland project is suitable for adults and teens, and requires pre-registration at www.wta.org/volunteer/schedule/workparty/a2m2K000009FhN2/.
A third option is Box Canyon Trail Maintenance in which volunteers will help prepare a project to rebuild the railings at Box Canyon. This project is suitable for adults and strong youth.
Lastly, volunteers can help with campground maintenance in which they will build and paint five new platforms for tents in the Longmire Stewardship Campground, and will take down the existing tents and platforms. This project is suitable for adults, and younger volunteers with parental assistance.
Volunteers are scheduled to work until 3:30 p.m. Participants should come prepared for any kind of weather and wear sturdy shoes. Gloves and knee pads are recommended, as are sunglasses, sunscreen and hats. Volunteers should bring water, snacks and lunch. Work tools will be provided.
The day’s volunteer work will be supported by crew leaders from the Washington Trails Association and Northwest Youth Corps. Washington’s National Park Fund supports Mount Rainier’s volunteer program year-round through donations and grants, and Discover Your Northwest and the National Environmental Education Foundation provided funding for this year’s project supplies.
