On the Road

The Salem Oregon Stateman Journal posted this in a recent addition:

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is looking for a few good Oregonians who are anxious to get close to nature for extended periods of time.

The department is accepting applications from persons interested in becoming volunteer hosts

at many of the agency’s 46 wildlife areas, fish hatcheries and field offices around the state and

is recruiting people who own self-contained recreational vehicles. Volunteers who are selected would stay from one month to three months at an ODFW site some time in 2009.

“This is a great way to travel around and discover new parts of Oregon,” said Jennell Hoehne,

volunteer coordinator for the Northwest Region.  “Most of our sites are in close proximity to mountains, streams and trails and offer high-quality, low-cost access to boundless recreational opportunities.”

Most of the sites offer full RV hookups — sewer, water, electricity – and, in some cases, showers and laundry facilities, all of which are available to hosts at no charge. In return, volunteer hosts commit to working 20 hours a week each doing various chores.  Duties vary, but typically include groundskeeping, maintenance and clerical work. In some cases job can entail more unusual activities such as feeding fish, banding waterfowl, baiting bears and counting deer and elk.

To learn more about the volunteer host program, to obtain an application or view the list of

sites available for 2009, go to www.dfw.state.or.us/agency/volunteer/host_program.asp or

contact Hoehne at (971) 673-6008 or at jennell.hoehne@state.or.us.