Glacier National Park Volunteer Day

On Saturday, May 7 the public is invited to attend the Glacier National Park Associates (GNPA) annual "Volunteer Day" at the West Glacier Community Building in Glacier National Park. Projects for the day will include trail work, helping at the Native Plant Nursery, constructing an information kiosk, and refurbishing an historic cabin. Participants should dress appropriately for work projects and bring gloves, lunch and drinking water.

Following a complimentary breakfast at 8:30 a.m. and a short GNPA business meeting, President Jim Swab will review other park projects including facility maintenance of historic structures, trail work, possible dates for these projects and the number of volunteers needed to complete each project.

“Since the group’s inception in 1989, the GNPA has been a solid source of support, friendship and civic contribution to Glacier National Park,” remarked Park Superintendent Chas Cartwright. “As an official park partner, the GNPA is entirely a volunteer organization which has donated untold hours of their personal time and resources to the preservation of Glacier's backcountry and its facilities.”

In addition to the volunteer time dedicated to historic preservation, trail maintenance and other contributions, they have funded a back-country intern each year through their Back-country Ranger Intern Fund. They have also funded a variety of historic preservation projects, provided grants to a local high school volunteer at the Glacier National Park Native Plant Nursery and sponsored a Winter Speaker Series in the community on subjects related to the park.

This year the GNPA has also initiated a new volunteer program at the Discovery Cabin in Apgar Village. From mid-June through late-August volunteers have committed to fully staffing this family-friendly cabin. The cabin contains a variety of hands-on items such as animal pelts, antlers, puppets, as well as games and activities to help children and families discover the wonders of Glacier National Park.

Applications will be available at the gathering for anyone wishing to become a member of the organization. For more information, please contact Jim Swab at 406-387-4299 or 406-250-4745.