Wildland Firefighter Training
In cooperation with the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission, the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers will offer the following National Wildfire Coordinating Group courses: S-130, Basic Firefighter TrainingS-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire BehaviorL-180, Human Factors on the Fire Line Students who complete the 3 courses and pass a physical fitness test will be qualified to:
1) Assist the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission with prescribed fire management activities on the 3,010 acre Albany Pine Bush Preserve.
2) Be considered as a member of an out-of-state Type II firefighting crew. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Forest Service, through an interagency cooperative agreement with the New York State's Forest Rangers, has requested these 20-person wildland firefighting crews to aid in fire suppression efforts throughout the country.
The courses are being offered in 2008 on Tuesdays and Thursdays; March 27 and April 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24 from 6 PM - 9:30 PM and Saturday April 26 from 8 AM - 5 PM at the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Discovery Center located at 195 New Karner Road in Albany. There is no fee for the courses. Space is limited.
Call Wendy Borden at the Albany Pine Bush Commission office (518) 456-0655, x1211 or email wborden@tnc.org to sign up for the class or inquire about attendance. Questions about the courses or firefighting crews can be directed to Forest Ranger Captain Patrick Kilpeck (518) 357-2161.
Volunteer Snowpack Monitor
Dates: from first snowfall to final melt
SUMMARY OF POSITION:The Snowpack Monitor helps to measure the duration and depth of snow cover in Karner blue butterfly habitat restoration sites in the Albany Pine Bush Preserve. Work is conducted independently, making surveys of snow depth gauges on foot, snowshoes, or cross-country skiis, depending on conditions. The data collected will be used to evaluate snowpack conditions, which may be critical to the overwinter survival of the eggs of this endangered butterfly, and which may be decreasing due to climate change.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Ability to work independently without supervision.
- Ability to read snow gauges and record snow depth data accurately.
- Must provide own transportation to survey location.
- Must be comfortable with using maps to locate snow gauges in the field.
- Must be in good physical condition and be comfortable walking/snow-shoeing/cross-country skiing through snow under all weather conditions.
TRAINING AND SUPPORT PROVIDED:Training in locating and reading the snow gauges and filling out the datasheets will be provided. We’d like to hold a brief (15-30 minutes) orientation to the project on November 30th, 2007. Please meet us at the Discovery Center building (195 New Karner Road, Albany, NY 12205) at 2:00PM. Note that date and time are subject to change. If you wish to volunteer but can not attend this meeting, please contact Jason Bried (see below) to set up another training time.
CONTACT:Jason Bried, jbried@tnc.org, 518-456-0655 x 1221
Discovery Center Docents
Discovery Center Docents perform several important roles. Docents are friendly greeters that welcome visitors to the Discovery Center, they are informal educators assisting visitors by answering visitor questions and providing visitor orientation, and they are formal educators leading small group presentations associated with specific Discovery Center exhibits. Docents must possess an interest in the Albany Pine Bush, in education and an enthusiastic and friendly outlook. Experience as an educator or with public speaking is helpful but not required. Training for Discovery Center Docents will be provided. For more information or to sign up for an interview please contact Education Program Assistant, Mary Ann Perry at
(518) 456-0655 ext.1222
Discovery Center Education Volunteer
Education Volunteers lead interactive interpretive programs along the trails of the Albany Pine Bush Preserve and at the Discovery Center for a variety of groups including school groups, special interest groups such as the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and the general public. The Education Volunteer represents the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission as an educator and works to promote a greater understanding of the unique ecology and natural and human history of the Pine Bush. This position involves frequent interaction with people of a variety of ages in a variety of settings (both outdoor and in-class). Volunteers must possess an interest in the Albany Pine Bush, in environmental education and an enthusiastic attitude. Experience as an educator or with public speaking is helpful but not required. Training for Discovery Center Education Volunteers will be provided.
Prior to training, all prospective volunteers will be interviewed by the Education Program Director. A background check will be done on all Volunteer Educators and Docents. For more information or to sign up for an interview please contact Education Program Assistant, Mary Ann Perry at
(518) 456-0655 ext.1222