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Date: April 11, 2008
Contact: Nancy Gray, 865-436-1208

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park Volunteers-in-Parks program is currently enlisting another round of volunteers to assist with the experimental elk reintroduction project in Cataloochee Valley, N.C.
     The “Elk Bugle Corps” program was adopted in 2007 to assist rangers with providing visitor information on responsible elk viewing practices and elk behavior and  to help with parking and traffic management.  “The Park’s goal is to recruit and train a new cadre of volunteers who can commit to volunteering on a regular, recurring basis,” said Babette Collavo, Volunteer in Parks Coordinator.  
     Each volunteer is being asked to work at least two evenings per month for approximately 3 hours prior to sunset, during the period May 23-November 2.   This target period is during high visitor use from late spring during the calving season through the end of fall color season after the elk mating period.
     “The Elk Bugle Corps’ initial start was very successful.  We feel the program is a win-win situation,” commented Cataloochee Park Ranger Mark LaShell.  “We received positive feedback from volunteers who joined us last year.  First of all, they enjoyed their time with the elk in this beautiful valley and felt that their presence played an important role in adding value to the visitors’ experience.  They made thousands of visitor contacts during the season, also helping with such tasks as guiding lost hikers or assisting persons with disabled vehicles,” explained LaShell. 
     Since 2001, when the Park began an experimental re-introduction program to restore the long-absent elk, visitation to the Cataloochee area of the Park has nearly doubled.  This visitation increase was driven entirely by the popularity of seeing elk.  With it came a need to manage the high visitation in this remote mountain valley on the eastern edge of the Park, which is surrounded by picturesque natural beauty and holds remnants of an early European settlement.  
     In past years, Bugle Corps volunteers used a gas-fueled ATV to shuttle around the valley.  This year, they will be using a new zero-emissions neighborhood electric vehicle provided through a grant from the North Carolina Solar Center at North Carolina State University, combined with a donation by the Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
     Interested persons should contact the Park’s Volunteer Coordinator Babette Collavo by May 8, at 865/436-1265, to receive an information packet and application.  Potential volunteers are required to attend one of the mandatory training sessions scheduled for May 17 and 22.