Park Service Volunteer Agreements
The National Park Service at Great Smoky Mountains National Park is asking every volunteer to sign an individual Volunteer in Parks agreement from December 2017 forward, unless the individual already has an agreement in place. The past practice of group agreements with TU is no longer being used.
This requires completing two forms. (LINK) Once the forms are completed and submitted, they will be valid for all future volunteer work in support of the Fisheries Department with no renewal necessary.
The reason for the change is that the Park Service wants everyone to be covered by their workers comp in case of injury while performing volunteer work. This also allows them to monitor volunteer hours and contact volunteer for Park Service volunteer recognition that may come about.
The Agreement forms must be completed before any upcoming volunteer work is performed.
Little River Clean-up
The Little River Clean-up started in 1993 as our first Chapter project. We meet each year at Metcalf Bottoms picnic area (9:00AM) in late March or early April as weather and Park Fisheries schedule permits. Volunteers divide in to teams and are assign a section of stream along Little River road. We usually start at the park boundary in Townsend and work our way to Elkmount campground. We try to eat a lunch around noon that is provide by our chapter members. That leaves the rest of the day to enjoy fishing.
GSMNP Acid Deposition
2020GSMNP Fisheries Volunteer Sampling Schedule
The Acid Deposition Project is a long range project, volunteers from the Great Smoky Mountains Chapter and Little River Chapter agreed to help collect samples from across the park. Chapter members are assigned routes from which they are to collect samples on a regular basis. This Program has been gathering valuable data about the effects of acid rain, fog, and snow on the streams in the Park. It is important that we continue to gather data even if improvements in air emissions are made so that the effects of any improvements can be measured. As usual, the Park Services does not have the resources to continue the sampling at the current level without the help of TU and the volunteers who participate. Since the samples are gathered every other month, we need a large number of volunteers who are willing to join a sample team for at least one of the six samples being scheduled.
Contact Richard Barnes i for team leader info and contact info ‐ Barnes, Richard (cell) 949-212-8480 rbarnes@coopershawke.com
Annual Large and Small Stream samples
The GSMNP conduct stream samples on an annual basis, the crews usual consist of Park’s fishery biologists and seasonal help. The samples consist of nets being set up at each end of the sample site. Three passes are made by personnel with backpack shockers, fish are netted then put in buckets weighed and measured and returned to the stream. The sample site may be in back country requiring several miles of hiking and a overnight stay or a large stream sample near a road requiring a lot more volunteers to help complete. Helping with one of the samples is a great way to learn about trout and their habitat. Steve and Matt can always use extra help.
Contact Matt Kulp (865‐426‐1254) Matt_Kulp@nps.gov
