**Volunteer Birders Wanted**

Pea Ridge National Military Park and the Heartland Network Inventory and Monitoring Program of the National Park Service are seeking the assistance of volunteer birders to augment an ongoing region-wide bird monitoring program. Volunteer birders will apply standard monitoring techniques to determine the annual distribution and abundance of breeding birds on the park. Volunteers will work closely with the parks Natural Resource Staff and the Heartland Networks project supervisor in this bird monitoring effort. 

For questions specific to the bird monitoring volunteer opportunity, please contact David G. Peitz at (417) 732-6438 ext. 276.

Volunteer Opportunities at Pea Ridge

Volunteering is an American tradition that over the years has made an immeasurable contribution to communities, organizations and individuals throughout the country. A recent poll found that over one-third of the American public has been or is now a volunteer. Over half of those presently involved in volunteer work are also employed in full or part-time jobs. Today's volunteers are active, dynamic, creative individuals of all ages who possess the skills, desire, patience and time to accomplish a wide variety of tasks.

Each year more than 85,000 volunteers donate more than 3,000,000 hours of service in the US national parks. There are no limits placed upon the amount of time a volunteer gives. You may give as much, or as little, as you wish. Some volunteer one or two days a month, while others work nearly full time. Volunteers are needed year-round and training is provided. No experience is necessary - only a desire to help preserve and protect America's natural and cultural heritage for the enjoyment of this and future generations. To volunteer or for more information, please call 479-451-8122, or click on the link at the bottom of the page.

The National Park Service Volunteers In Parks Program (VIP) was authorized by Public Law 91-357 enacted 1970. The primary purpose of the VIP program is to provide a vehicle through which the National Park Service can accept and utilize voluntary help and services from the public. The major objective of the program is to utilize this voluntary help in such a way that is mutually beneficial to the National Park Service and the Volunteer.