The BLM in this area works with a variety of individuals and groups in volunteer projects that contribute toward our resource management needs. Past volunteers have helped us with projects that include wildlife studies, wilderness patrol, historical building stabilization, trail maintenance, archaeological inventory, trash cleanup, environmental education and much more. Specifics can be arranged on a case by case basis to match the time and effort you wish to contribute and our current priority needs.

For more information about volunteering in the Gunnison Resource Area, contact:

Arden Anderson
BLM - Gunnison Field Office
216 North Colorado Street
Gunnison, CO 81230
(970) 641-0471

The following two positions are recurring volunteer opportunities in the Gunnison Field Office.

• Recreation Volunteer
• Campground Host

The Recreation and Wilderness Program of the BLM's Gunnison Resource Area has opportunities for several volunteers or interns each summer to help with the management of public lands in the spectacular San Juan Mountains in southwest Colorado. These positions range from 10 to 20 weeks and typically include the busy summer months of June, July and August. These volunteers help us with 4 major tasks:

• Facility Maintenance - Necessary cleanup, care, painting construction and repair of the campgrounds, restrooms, signs and buildings that support the recreation program - about 40% of your time.
• Wilderness Patrol - Volunteers will help us patrol several hundred thousand acres of wilderness and wilderness study areas to help us ensure these lands maintain their primitive character. This will occupy about 25% of your time.
• Trail Maintenance - We have about 80 miles of hiking trails that need periodic maintenance or reconstruction. This sometimes requires strenuous work at high altitudes so candidates must be in good physical condition - about 25% of your time.
• Visitor Contact - Throughout all your tasks you will be expected to interact with the visitors you encounter to offer information about recreation opportunities in the area and educate them about how to minimize their impact on the area. This will take up about 10% of your time.

Volunteers typically work a 40 hour week. In exchange for this commitment, the BLM provides training in the jobs you will be doing, tools and vehicles for use during your official duties, housing and a $50 stipend each week for food and other expenses. Candidates should be 21 or older, be in good physical condition, know how to drive a stick shift vehicle, have a good driving record and be able to communicate effectively with a wide variety of people. Students should consider using this position to satisfy internship requirements.

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The Gunnison Resource Area is looking for a campground host for the Mill Creek Campground in the San Juan Mountains near Lake City, Colorado. This 22 unit campground is located in a spectacular setting along the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River at an elevation of 9,400 feet. In return for trailer space for the summer season, the campground hosts will be expected to contact campground visitors, offer information on recreation opportunities in the area, remind them about campground fees and rules and perform light maintenance within the campground. The season runs from mid June to mid October but we most need a host during the busy months of July and August.

The campground is located about 12 miles southwest of Lake City, a town of 500, which has a grocery store, laundromat, post office and other amenities. Mill Creek Campground itself is in a rustic setting. Clean, fresh drinking water comes from a hand pump. A solar power unit provides the host site with a modest electrical supply. What it lacks in modern conveniences, though, is more than compensated for by the awesome surroundings. The Lake Fork is one of many trout streams in the area and nearby Lake San Cristobal also provides good fishing. The mountains, rising to 14,000 ft. around the campground are crisscrossed with hiking trails and jeep roads. Ghost towns, alpine wild flowers, fall colors and wildlife all add to the enjoyment of this area. Day time temperatures range from 60 to 80 degrees and night time lows are between 30 and 50 degrees. Short afternoon thundershowers are common on summer afternoons.

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Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado - Additional outdoor volunteer opportunities