Page 13 - summer 2018

Friends oF red rock canyon 13

Susan: To groom Red Rock’s trailheads posal was: “How many volunteers do you
and trails to preserve a well-maintained expect?” My answer was: “I’d be happy
look. Goals? That’s an easy one! I only have with 10 to 12 volunteers.”
three goals for any Light Trail Maintenance Never in my wildest dreams did I think
event: (1) Make it look BETTER, (2) Be I’d end up with sometimes as many as 36
SAFE and (3) Have FUN! all cream-of-the-crop volunteers! As for

How have you gone about organizing managing the large volunteer numbers, they
and managing the committee? sign up on Volgistics (or call/text/email me
Susan: I submitted a proposal to Friends if Volgistics is too intimidating). That way I
know how many tools, snacks, water, etc. to
after several years of noticing that the sec- bring.
ond Saturday of every month was just not
enough to maintain our trails. I kept think- A week before the event, I send out an
ing that “THEY” need to do something… email to volunteers who have signed up,
“SOMEBODY” needs to do something… and I give them details on when and where
and decided that hey, I guess I could do to meet for carpooling and where the work
something! location will be. I give them a heads up on
what kind of work to expect by giving anno-
The proposal was accepted and the Light tated photos of potential work - raking trails,
Trail Maintenance committee received lining trails with rocks where needed, gar-
an operating budget. Since we work with bage pickup, light pruning overgrowth that
BLM, they lend us a truck (after an online obstructs trails, naturalizing social paths and
defensive driving course is passed) to haul sweeping parking lots near our trailheads.
supplies and load collected trash.
I let them decide the kind of work they
With a list of volunteer names from want to do, depending on how they feel that
Friends and BLM, I spoke with some on the day; and they’re free to switch out tools if
phone, texted some and emailed dynamic they want to try something different.
promos to others.
I suggest they wear a long sleeve shirt,
One of the questions a Friends’ board long pants, hat, sunglasses, sturdy full cov-
member asked when I submitted the pro-
erage shoes and to bring a small backpack
or fanny pack to carry personal items (since
we may end up working a mile from the
trailhead). I let them know that Friends will
supply all the tools, snacks, water, sunscreen
and the ever-popular safety briefing.

How do you recruit volunteers?

Susan: In addition to Friends and BLM, I
hike with various groups and do low-key re- what drives all our volunteers to do such a
cruitment while hiking. Sometimes I’m just great job, but I’d wager a guess that they
out monitoring trails (my favorite volunteer like seeing their results too.
gig) and people ask how they can help.
Since taking over leadership of Light
What drives the volunteers you work Trail Maintenance, what has the group ac-
with? complished that makes a difference for Red
Susan: Our volunteers always go above Rock Canyon?
and beyond my expectations, and when I Susan: Since January 2017’s inception
compare my “Before” and “After” photos, a of Light Trail Maintenance, the trails and
Tim Smith, BLM Las Vegas District Manager, present- tearful, proud smile comes across my face. trailheads look better for our two million
ing award to Susan Murphy. They never fail to amaze me! I’m not sure annual visitors. Hopefully, fewer hikers get
Photo by Tom Lisby (Continued on page 14)

Summer 2018