San Gorgonio Wilderness Volunteer Partnership

Southern California east of LA

Case description (read more)

The San Gorgonio Ranger District of the San Bernardino National Forest has found a very resourceful way to stretch its thin budget by harnessing the dedication and energy of the San Gorgonio Wilderness Association (SGWA). This 200-member organization donated more than 15,000 person-hours of volunteer time to the District in 2002, and made more than 15,500 visitor contacts during volunteer wilderness patrols. Its volunteers also provided all of the staffing for the District's Barton Flats Visitor Center, conducting interpretive programs and interacting with over 6,500 forest visitors there.

What is fostering progress? (read more)

• Dedication and energy of the volunteers: As the District Ranger described, "These individuals contribute their time, money, and interest to assisting in the mission of the Forest Service. The Association is an integral part of the District team."
• The strong connection which the volunteers have with the wilderness area has provided an incredible motivation for them to invest significant energy into protecting the area.
• Two-way nature of this partnership. The Forest Service provides the SGWA with funding for supplies, equipment, and volunteer training, and the SGWA provides needed services for the Forest.
• Recognition of the volunteers' efforts. Each fall the District puts on a "nice big awards ceremony" for the volunteers at a mountain lodge where every volunteer receives an award in appreciation of their contribution to the National Forest.

What challenges were faced and how were they overcome? (read more)

• Reluctance on the part of some agency staff. "When we started, there were some Forest Service employees who thought we were taking their jobs." said Alice Krueper.
• Providing adequate training and oversight for the volunteers. "There's not enough staff to go around," says Barb Ward, the district's interpretive specialist. One of the proposals is to plan projects where volunteer leaders can direct other volunteers, thereby minimizing Forest Service staff oversight.
• Maintaining good communication between all of the partners. It has also been important for the Forest Service to have a liaison working closely with SGWA.

What lessons can be drawn? (read more)

• Obtain the support of the local Forest Service managers for the concept of using volunteers and then find dedicated volunteers that are willing to put in the time, both in the administrative management of the partnership as well as in the field
• Don't start a volunteer program just to have volunteers: You need to have a job you want done before you go out and get volunteers.
• Provide "intensive training" of volunteers to ensure quality program work. Says Barb Ward, the district's interpretive specialist, "Originally I was more lenient and did lots of individual training. This was very counterproductive with respect to time."
• Make the agency’s goals are very clear and have an evaluation process that everyone is aware of up front.

Contact information at the Forest Service

Related Links

• Participating agreement between the US Forest Service and the San Gorgonio Wilderness Association

This site was developed by the Ecosystem Management Initiative through a partnership with the US Forest Service and the US Department of Interior. Read more.