Brooke Linford's Volunteer Blog - March 2010
Glacier National Park Volunteer Blog Last night I helped with the first film of the Centennial Film Festival which was held at the Signature theaters in Kalispell. The films shown were shot in and around Glacier National Park. Last night’s film was The River Wild starring Meryl Streep and Kevin Bacon. Portions of the film were shot on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River bordering the park. I wasn’t able to see much of the film, but what I saw looked great on the big screen. By the way, I’m one of the few people around here that hasn’t seen the movie. (I’m kind of a wimp when it comes to suspenseful films) Before the movie began our volunteers and I sold and collected movie tickets, gave out raffle tickets, and spoke to a variety of people interested in Glacier National Park and its centennial. The Glacier Outdoor Center donated a ½ day raft trip for 2, and the Glacier Association donated a book and water bottle as raffle items. The next film will be in Big Fork on April 8th at the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are sold at Montana Coffee Traders and at the door. This is one of the many events happening in the local communities throughout the centennial year of Glacier National Park. The Park Service Glacier Centennial Coordinator, Kass Hardy, and the many volunteer members of the steering committee and numerous subcommittees from the local communities have done an amazing job brainstorming, organizing, and implementing a wide range of programs and events. I strongly encourage anyone interested in Glacier to visit glaciercentennial.org to find out about all of the happenings this 100th year of Glacier National Park. Until next time, have fun, be safe, and keep up the great work! Glacier National Park Volunteer Blog Hello and welcome to my first entry in the Glacier National Park Volunteer Blog! I’m Brooke Linford and am lucky enough to be the volunteer program coordinator at one the most spectacular national parks in the world. I began my career with the NPS as a Student Conservation Association (SCA) volunteer at Shenandoah National Park and have since worked as a paid park service employee for a total of 7 national parks and preserves over the last 10 years. This is the second time working at Glacier, so it’s like I’ve come back home. Every day since arriving back at Glacier National Park I have been amazed and humbled by the amount of support our volunteers give to our park. There are countless examples of how people from all walks of life have grown to be so strongly connected to this place that they have taken the leap to joining us in helping to preserve and protect it. In addition to keeping you updated on news and happenings, I will be sharing some of their stories, beginning with an organization that epitomizes the selfless dedication exhibited by our volunteers. The Glacier National Park Associates (GNPA) is an all volunteer organization and one of our four official park partners. They are located in the Flathead Valley and their purpose is to “…help the National Park Service accomplish its goals in Glacier National Park.” As you may notice, there is not a specific task, division, or area of the park that they state in their purpose. This is because they are willing to help in any way that they can to further the protection of Glacier. I attended the monthly GNPA board meeting last night and projects were being introduced by park staff that GNPA may be able to support. The projects include installing a kiosk at a campground, clearing brush from a trail, a variety of Glacier N.P. Centennial related projects in and out of the park, painting and staining a historic lookout located far into the backcountry requiring spending several nights on location…and the list goes on! If history is any indicator, they will be tackling all of these projects as well as the volunteer work they perform as individuals at visitor centers, the native plant nursery, the backcountry office, the Transit System, and again…the list goes on. With all of the demands that are put on park staff, it is so nice to know that there are groups like the Glacier National Park Associates that we can turn to when their help is needed. My thanks go out to the members of the GNPA for all of their efforts. Until next time, have fun, be safe, and keep up the great work! |
Did You Know?
Did you know that in 1932, Glacier National Park and Waterton Lakes National Park became the world’s first International Peace Park due to the good work between the two nation’s rotary clubs?