Good Times at Jolly Sink

Volunteers Doing Research on the Kaibab Plateau
Travis Wiggins

It is Tuesday, my first day back in the office after a 5 day trip to the Kaibab Plateau, north of the Grand Canyon. As I settle back into my work here at the office, I can't help but drift away to the ponderosa pine forests of the Plateau, and the good times I had there with a great group of volunteers, researchers, and field technicians. We camped at a place called Jolly Sink, a grassy meadow tucked into a hillside rimmed with limestone outcroppings. It was a fitting name, as it set the tone for a long weekend of laughter, learning, great meals, and good work.

We worked on two different research projects on this trip, both centered on the 59,000 acre Warm Fire of 2006. One project is looking at how forest ecosystems are recovering after the fire, and how their recovery relates to the intensity of the burn. The other project is taking a look at the effects of reintroducing livestock to a burned pasture 2 years after the fire. These are both exciting projects that we hope will help inform forest management decisions and livestock management policies in the future.

What really gets me excited though, perhaps even more than the research and the promise it holds, is the people. The individuals who volunteered for this trip, for all our trips really, are outstanding. I am continually inspired by their motivation to learn about the issues and to take action. These people are participating fully in their communities, participating in life. It is a great thing to be a part of.

To me trips like this one represent good people sharing ideas and coming together to understand and protect something beautiful. Have you volunteered with us before? What did you take away from your experience? I would love to hear what volunteering has meant to other people who have participated in our program. Please feel free to add a comment!