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Contact: Carl S. Zimmerman, 410-629-6071
Berlin, Maryland - Assateague Island National Seashore is seeking adult volunteers who enjoy working with people for the 2012 "Pony Patrol". Pony Patrol Volunteers contact visitors involved in the unsafe and illegal practice of feeding and petting horses along Assateague Island's roads. Although most of this year's positions have been filled, an unexpected change has left the Patrol short of weekend staff. Volunteers are needed to work a four hour shift either Saturday afternoons from 2:00-6:00 PM or Sundays, from 10:00 AM-2:00 PM or 2:00-6:00 PM. Every year visitors are bitten or kicked by the wild horses. The purpose of the Pony Patrol is to help the public enjoy the horses safely and in appropriate ways. The focus is on education, with the goal of minimizing petting and feeding incidents to maintain the wild nature of the horses and reduce the number hit by cars. "Since 1991, Pony Patrol members have provided invaluable assistance to the National Seashore in carrying out its mission to protect both wildlife and visitors" states Superintendent Trish Kicklighter. The patrol operates from Memorial Day through Labor Day, or longer for those volunteers who wish to stay on. Interested applicants should have good people skills, and enjoy talking with the public. Volunteers are provided training on horse behavior, the problems associated with human/horse interactions, and how to safely deal with roadside animals. Patrols are conducted on paved roads by bicycle, so applicants must be physically fit enough to be able to complete their time commitment under summer weather conditions. Volunteers must be willing to commit to one 4-hour shift per week, June through August. Those interested should contact Pony Patrol coordinator Allison Turner at 410-629-6072 or e-mail us. For more information on Assateague Island National Seashore, visit www.nps.gov/asis |
Last updated: February 26, 2015