Volunteers in Parks

Park Volunteers build and maintain the trail.

NPS photo

The Ice Age National Scenic Trail is primarily built and maintained by Volunteers organized into 19 local Chapters throughout the state by our non-profit partner the Ice Age Trail Alliance. Materials and training are provided through the Volunteers in Parks (VIP) program of the National Park Service.

Volunteering through the National Park Service's Volunteers-In-Parks Program comes with responsibilities that all volunteers are required to follow. Please review the "Professionalism in the Workforce' policy" agreed upon by the Ice Age National Scenic Trail and the Ice Age Trail Alliance.

 

The following documents are provided to support our VIPs in their work on the Ice Age National Scenic Trail and to promote a safe experience:

• The Volunteer Safety Handbook includes important information about safety, the safe use of tools and equipment, and injury reporting instructions.
• The OF-301A Volunteer Agreement Form is for use by Chapter Leaders to sign up individuals and groups as official NPS VIPs:
  • Individual Volunteer Agreement and instructions.
  • Group Volunteer Agreement and instructions.
• All volunteer agreements must contain a job description. Please review the Job Description Library.
• It is important that all volunteers are aware of potential hazards and safety procedures related to their assigned tasks. The following Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) listings are numbered for easy reference and correspond to the Job Descriptions.
  • 00-COVID-19
  • 01-Lifting Heavy Objects
  • 02-Long Handled Tools and Saws
  • 03-Power Mowers
  • 04-Painting
  • 05-Litter Pickup
  • 06-Chainsaw Operation
  • 07-Food Handling
  • 08-Motor Vehicle Operation
  • 09-Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • 10-Herbicide Safety
  • 11-Heavy Equipment
  • 12-Non-Motorized vessels
• Having fun and enjoying the trail safely is important. The following Tailgate Safety Series titles are available for viewing and use by both volunteers and other trail users. Relevant topics should be reviewed at beginning of the work day or hike to help ensure a safe experience: Chainsaws, Driving, General Hiking, HAZMAT Encounters, Heat Disorders, Hike Leader, Hydration, Hypothermia, Insects/Snakes/Animals, Lyme Disease, Thunderstorms, Violent Encounters