Volunteer - the Maine Volunteers in Parks Program
"Making a Difference..."
A Partnership in the Care of Maine's Great Resources
What is MVP?
MVP (Maine Volunteers in Parks) is a program designed to assist
the Division of Parks and Public Lands in preserving
our cultural and natural resources while providing for public use
and enjoyment. There are many varied kinds of volunteer assignments
providing volunteers an opportunity to accomplish projects and activities
they enjoy.
Discover the Volunteer Spirit
Maine Volunteers in Parks are a welcome addition to our State Park
System. While experiencing personal benefits such as companionship,
a sense of responsibility, work experience and learning new skills,
MVPs help to enhance the quality and provide a safe and enjoyable
experience for visitors to Maine state parks and historic sites.
Whether you're interested in photography, history, art, maintenance
work, public relations or office work, the MVP program can provide
you with a meaningful volunteer experience.
Who are MVP Volunteers?
Today's volunteers are dynamic, creative, energetic individuals.
Through their enthusiasm, abilities and concern, a wide variety
of tasks can be accomplished. MVP Volunteers are people who care about Maine's outdoors
such as:
- Civic organizations
- Scouting groups
- Corporations wishing
to contribute to resource management needs of their communities
- College students
- Retired persons
- Individuals
- Outdoor organizations like snowmobile, trail and ski clubs have
all served as Maine Volunteers in Parks.
NOTE: Persons of all ages can
be volunteers; however, eligibility for insurance requires that
they be at least 14 years of age.
The Division of Parks and Public Lands, in recognizing volunteers as unique
and valuable assets, invites you to become part of our MVP program.
What do MVP Volunteers do?
A wide variety of tasks and projects are accomlished by MVP volunteers,
such as:
"Adopt-a-Trail" projects
Maintain a section of hiking trail over a several day or sesveral
year period.
"Adopt-a-Park" projects
Assist in the year round general care and maintenance of a State
Park facility
"Adopt-a-Campsite" projects
Assist in the general care and maintenance of remote campsite areas
"Adopt-a-River" projects
Help keep rivers and streams clean in our State Park areas
Historic Site Host
Assist visitors with historic information and interpretation
Campground Host
Be a "resident" volunteer that assists visitors at our
State Park campgrounds
Volunteer Park Naturalist
Lead visitors through a wide variety of natural history programs
Volunteer Environmental Specialist
Help gather information about the physical or biological environment
of a specified area
Visitor Service
Aid guests with information on local activities and sites and share
information about other State Parks
Guest Speaker
Help provide informational and educational programs to park visitors
What Skills Do I Need to Qualify?
Many projects do not require specific skills; others may necessitate
the ability to work with people, have knowledge of flora and fauna,
or have skill in the use of hand tools. The diversity of project
opportunities means that a large variety of skills are potentially
useful. But MVP projects can be a learning experience for the volunteers
as well, and skill development is often an unexpected reward for
those who volunteer.
What Does MVP Offer?
- A wide range of experiences that can enrich or build skills in the
care of the outdoors...
- Liability and accident insurance...
- An opportunity to meet and work with people who are dedicated to
the preservation and use of natural and historical resources...
- The Chance to Make a Difference...
Why is Volunteerin Important?
The Maine Volunteers in Parks (MVP) Program is a resource that has
proven invaluable in assisting parks in the accomplishment of work
goals that may not be otherwise met. Projects such as facility maintenance,
interpretation, photography, trail work, architectural work, visitor
hosting, and special programs to educate and entertain park guests
in historical and cultural events are examples of what volunteers
continue to do at State Park areas.
The Division of Parks and Public Lands encourages the use of volunteers
at State Park and historic sites in an effort to fulfill the Division
"mission" of providing services at the highest quality
possible.
Northern Region Parks include: (Northern Region Office contact information is listed below)
Allagash Wilderness Waterway
Aroostook State Park
Birch Point Beach State Park
Camden Hills State Park
Cobscook Bay State Park
Fort Kent State Historic Site
Fort Knox State Historic Site
Fort Point State Park
Holbrook Island Sanctuary
Lake St. George State Park
Lamoine State Park
Lily Bay State Park
Moose Point State Park
Owls Head Light State Park
Peaks-Kenny State Park
Penobscot River Corridor
Quoddy Head State Park
Roque Bluffs State Park
Swan Lake State Park
Warren Island State Park
Southern Region Parks include: (Sourthern Region Office contact information is listed below)
Androscoggin Riverlands State Park
Bradbury Mountain State Park
Colonial Pemaquid
Crescent Beach State Park
Damariscotta Lake State Park
Eagle Island State Historic Site
Ferry Beach State Park
Fort Edgecomb State Historic Site
Grafton Notch State Park
John Paul Jones State Historic Site
Mount Blue State Park
Popham Beach State Park
Range Ponds State Park
Rangeley Lake State Park
Two Lights State Park
Vaughan Woods Memorial State Park
Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park
How Can I Become Involved?
The Division of Parks and Public Lands
welcomes people to become involved in park and historic site programs
and recognizes volunteer service as a particularly valuable aspect
of community life. We owe a great debt of gratitude to those who
become MVPs and help us to fulfill our mission to the people of
the state and its visitors.
Applications:
For more information about the individual parks or the Maine Volunteers in Parks Program,
please contact:
Northern Region Office:
Maine Division of Parks and Public Lands
106 Hogan Road
Bangor, Maine 04401
Telephone: (207) 941-4014
Fax: (207) 941-4222
Email: mike.leighton@maine.gov
Southern Region Office:
Maine Division of Parks and Public Lands
107 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333-0107
Telephone: (207) 624-6080
Fax: (207) 624-6081
Email: ron.hunt@maine.gov
Discrimination
The laws and policies of Maine and the United States prohibit
discrimination in any Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry programs and/or
employment because of race, religion, national origin, sex, age,
or disability. Any person who believes discrimination has occurred
should contact the Commissioners Office, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry,
22 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333. Tel. (207) 287-2211.
For TDD (207) 287-2213.
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