USI008 - National Parks, Nevada

Lake Tahoe


Yosemite National Park

Duration: 2 weeks +
Dates: *March 19- May 22, 2008: Location - Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Death Valley National Park, Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Desert National Wildlife Refuge, Mormon Mountains Wilderness Area, and the South McCullough Wilderness Area.
*May 14- June 26, 2008: 6 week program and July 2 - August 21, 2008: Seven week program Summer projects will be based out of Northern Nevada in the Lake Tahoe Basin, Great Basin National Park, and the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area.
*August 20 - October 16: Eight week program and October 15 - December 22: Ten week program Autumn and winter projects will be based out of Southern Nevada in the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, Death Valley National Park, and the South McCullough Wilderness Area.
Location: Nevada.
Project Aims: The organisation harnesses the energy and idealism of youth to meet the needs of Nevada public lands and communities. Our program transcends racial, ethnic and economic barriers by drawing corps members from diverse backgrounds. The organisation provides students, volunteers, and young professionals with opportunities to conserve Nevada’s natural heritage, while also gaining valuable experience in natural resource management. Since 2003 the organisation has collaborated with several international environmental exchange programs, attracting some 250 students and young professionals from Australia, Denmark, England, France, Haiti, Italy, Korea, Japan, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland, and West Africa to serve on conservation projects throughout Nevada. Volunteers work side-by-side with local members at Ash Meadows, Death Valley, Lake Tahoe, Lake Mead, Great Basin National Park, and the Spring Mountains assisting with field research and restoration projects. In exchange for their service, the organisations volunteer coordinator leads volunteers on educational and recreational trips, introducing them to premier western attractions such as central Sierra hot springs, Yosemite National Park, Lassen Volcanic National Park, Big Sur coastal beaches, and high desert mountains.
Project Tasks: Program placements are typically for six to ten weeks. Placement duration and project locations are determined by the weather, season, and site conditions, which can vary dramatically throughout the year.

Type of Activities: Wilderness Road Removal and Desert Restoration-- Decommission illegal roads and restore vegetation by transplanting native vegetation and removing non-native invasive plants. These activities will help protect the habitat of the desert tortoise and other threatened plants and wildlife.

Trail Maintenance-- Construct and maintain trails within the wilderness area. Hours are long & difficult; requires hiking up to three miles per day in strenuous landscapes. Activities include trail construction techniques to minimize human impact and control erosion. Learn dry stone masonry techniques used for retaining walls, switchbacks, water bars, riprap erosion control barriers, etc.

Urban Lot Restoration-- Restore National Forest land within urban areas by blocking vehicle access with barriers; restore native vegetation and remove exotic species.

Locations: Ruby Mountains Wilderness Area-Fall Work-camps – 20 miles south of Elko sit the Ruby Mountains, high, granite-like peaks that soar above lush green meadows and sparkling blue lakes. The "rubies" of the mountains' are actually garnets, red semiprecious stones often found in metamorphic ranges.

Lake Tahoe Basin-Spring/Summer/Fall Work-camps - Lake Tahoe's beautiful, sapphire-blue waters straddle the California-Nevada state line. The lake's elevation averages 6,225 feet, and surrounding peaks reach heights of up to 10,880 feet. Relaxation and recreation abound in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

Lake Mead-Winter Work-camps - Three of the United State’s four deserts -- the Mojave, the Great Basin, and the Sonoran -- meet in Lake Mead National Recreation Area. This apparently barren environment contains a surprising variety of plants and animals, some found nowhere else in the world.

Death Valley-Winter Work-camps - Death Valley is a land of extremes. One of the hottest places on Earth, summer temperatures often exceed 100 F (37C). Death Valley is also the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere, at 282 feet below sea level. It is the driest region in North America with an average rainfall of only 1.96 inches a year, yet supports over 1000 native plants.

Great Basin National Park- Spring & Summer Work-camps- Great Basin National Park is located in east central Nevada. From the sagebrush at its alluvial base to the 13,063-foot summit of Wheeler Peak, Great Basin National Park includes streams, lakes, alpine plants, abundant wildlife, a variety of forest types including groves of ancient bristlecone pines, and numerous limestone caverns, including beautiful Lehman Caves.

Cave Lake- Summer Work- camps- This 32-acre reservoir in Eastern Nevada is located in the middle of the Schell Creek Range, adjacent to the Humboldt National Forest. At an elevation of 7,300 feet, this park is popular for its scenery, caves, canyons, wildlife, and recreational opportunities.
Who Can Participate?: IVP. Activities are suitable only for fit, enthusiastic, and determined volunteers between the ages of 18-35 with a real interest in the conservation of the natural environment for the next generation.
Placement Costs: US$180 for 8 weeks: includes food and accommodation.
Meals: Food and cooking gear will be provided by the host. Every meal will be cooked at camp in a communal kitchen environment. Special dietary requests will be accommodated by crew supervisors.
Accommodation: While in the field, crew members will camp in either primitive wilderness settings or in developed campgrounds. Living in the field can be hard work. However, camping also offers camaraderie, the chance to see shooting stars, and the opportunity to learn many wilderness skills. Tents are provided by the host; a $150 tent/lodging refundable deposit is required upon arrival. Members are responsible for sleeping bags, sleeping mats, clothes, and other desired personal items. Weather in Nevada can be unpredictable, so warm and wet weather gear is highly recommended.
Accommodation is provided for volunteers during off time at a house with full amenities owned by the Great Basin Institute.
Visa Requirements: It is the responsibility of all participants to obtain any necessary visas.
Note: Volunteers are required to be present on the first day for briefing. The minimum placement is six weeks. Project locations and activities are subject to change dependent upon funding, weather etc. The above descriptions provide a general idea of work for crews of local and international volunteers. Crew members are frequently rotated so that you may participate in various projects and visit a variety of locations throughout Nevada.