Volunteer Handbook

Field-Based GSEP Volunteer Handbook

Thank you so much for choosing to volunteer with Grand Staircase Escalante Partners (GSEP)! We want to do our best to provide volunteers with a safe, educational, and enriching experience, so please read the following before attending a field-based volunteer project.

Contacts

• Kaitlin Martin: Stewardship Programs Manager, kaitlin@gsenm.org, 406-431-0218

• Kristen Buck: Volunteer Programs Manager, kristen@gsenm.org, 928-301-7216

• Volunteer email: volunteer@gsenm.org

• Jackie Grant: Executive Director, jackie@gsenm.org

Inclusion

Grand Staircase Escalante Partners is committed to fostering an equitable and inclusive environment in our workplace and across GSENM. We recognize the complex and difficult histories that have shaped American public lands, from dispossession of Native lands and forced removal of Indigenous communities to create public lands and parks, to the ongoing exclusion of people of color from conservation and preservation movements. We acknowledge that the area known as Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and its surrounding areas are the ancestral land and historical territory of the Hopi, Zuni, Dine/Navajo, San Juan Southern Paiute, Kaibab Paiute, Ute, Ute Mountain Ute, and Acoma nations.  As we carry out our work in conservation and education, we strive to ensure that:

• Indigenous history and diverse perspectives are elevated in the story of GSENM. Learn on this topic here.

• We empower communities that have been marginalized and have not historically benefitted from public lands.

• We strive to transform GSENM into a place where all people not only have equal access to, but also feel safe and welcome to connect with the land, learn, visit and recreate.

• Our organization operates inclusively and equitably, both internally and in broader relations with other organizations and individuals.

• We are on a journey to transform our work–to foster diversity through equitable actions that create a just and inclusive environment, within and beyond our organization. Learn more about our mission here.

Conduct Policy

The GSEP team strives for positive experiences on our volunteer trips, and it takes all of us to make that happen. This includes following safety protocol, communicating your needs, sharing in creating an open and inclusive space for all participants and respecting each other as well the trip leaders. We ask that as a volunteer you maintain compliance to the GSEP expectations.

We expect the volunteer to:

• Follow directives

• Have a clear understanding of the safety requirements of each project (please communicate if you have any questions during the safety talks)

• Have self and situational awareness 

• Be inclusive, kind and respectful

• Be an active participant at camp and in the field 

 If we find that a volunteer is in violation of an expectation, a GSEP staff member will privately make contact with the volunteer, address the behavior and allow for correction. 

We have a no tolerance policy for any display of cultural prejudice, sexual harassment in any form, ability discrimination, a blatant disregard to safety and the safety of others, and repeated cruel/inappropriate behavior. If a volunteer demonstrates any of these, they will be asked to make arrangements to leave the project immediately and will be removed from any future projects.

Please help us help you by:

• Communicating your needs 

• Communicating if you witness an unsafe event (weather, illness, work site hazard, rude/inappropriate behavior etc.)

• Giving feedback

Signing Up for a Field Based Volunteer Project

• Descriptions for each volunteer project are available at our Volunteer Website. Here you can learn more about the project including the dates of the project, physical requirements, what GSEP provides (food, equipment, etc.), and general location information (North End, South End, etc.).

• Sign-ups for each available project are available at our sign-up page, unless otherwise noted in the project description (sometimes the sign-up will be through one of our partner organization’s websites).

• When signing up for a volunteer project, please make note of the dates you are committing to in the project description. 

• Communication between volunteers and GSEP after sign-up:

  • Once you have signed up for a project, you are not officially enrolled until you receive a confirmation email from the GSEP team with the full project description and a deposit request. 

  • Two-weeks before the project you will receive a call from GSEP staff to answer any questions and go over details about the project, including attendance confirmation from volunteers.

  • One week before the project, you will receive a final email with any changes and updates about the project. 

  • If the project needs to be canceled due to insufficient sign-ups, weather, or extenuating circumstances, participants will be notified ASAP. 

  • If you do not confirm attendance to the trip through email or a phone call after the two week check-in call, you will be removed from the project and your deposit will be donated to GSEP (see deposit policy below).

  • IF YOU CAN NO LONGER ATTEND A PROJECT, PLEASE NOTIFY GSEP STAFF ASAP AT volunteer@gsenm.org. The longer you wait to cancel your sign-up the less likely we are able to find a replacement which can have a major negative impact on project success. If volunteers no call, no show for three different projects, they will no longer be able to sign up for future projects with GSEP. 

  • Sign-ups for a project will be closed 3 days before the start of a project.

• We are asking for a one-time suggested donation of $25 for multi-day projects where food is provided to help cover project expenses. You can find the donation link at gsenm.org. We do not want this to be a barrier for volunteering to those that can’t or don’t wish to donate and is only a suggested donation.

Deposit policy

We are asking volunteers who sign up for their first multi-day project with GSEP to submit a $100 deposit. Once volunteers are notified that they are confirmed for a project, they will also be sent instructions to submit the deposit if applicable. If volunteers do not submit the deposit at least two weeks after receiving their confirmation email, their sign-up will be cancelled and they will not be able to join the volunteer trip. Once the deposit is submitted, GSEP will keep the $100 deposit until the close of the project. If the volunteer does not show up to the project or cancels within 2 weeks of the project start date without a legitimate reason (listed below), volunteers will be given the option to donate their deposit or receive their deposit back once the project is over.

Deposits will be returned to volunteers even if they do not attend the volunteer project if:

•  They notify GSEP staff of their cancelation at least 2 weeks before the start date of the project

•  If canceled later than two weeks before the start date, but there is a legitimate reason such as:

  1. 1. 1. 1. Sickness (Covid, flu, cold, etc.)

           2. Injury 

           3. Family emergency

We do not want this deposit policy to be a barrier to attend one of our projects. Each multi day project will have two "sponsored" spots in which two volunteers will not need to submit a deposit. Volunteers can indicate if they would like to be considered for one of these spots on the application form.

Deposits will be returned to volunteers immediately if the event is canceled by GSEP for any reason.

General Project Considerations

• Details such as meeting locations, packing lists, itineraries, and physical requirements will vary from trip to trip and will be described fully in correspondence between GSEP staff and volunteers after sign-up and well before each project.

• Keep in mind that Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is a very remote and rugged place with limited access to cell service, medical facilities, and town amenities like grocery stores, hardware stores, and lodging. So plan accordingly when traveling to the area for a volunteer project.   

• The weather in GSENM can vary widely with highs in the summer around 100 F and below 0 F in the winter. Extreme winds, hail, snow, and flash floods are not uncommon throughout the year. Project leaders will keep participants informed on predicted weather and will take weather considerations into account when planning trips. Some trips may get canceled due to inclement weather like flash flood danger. 

Safety

GSEP’s field leaders have a Wilderness First Responder Certification and will be carrying a comprehensive first aid kit. They will also be carrying a Garmin In-Reach communication device that will let them contact emergency services if needed. We will go over a safety briefing at the beginning of each project including weather considerations, terrain dangers, and proper tool handling instructions. Each project will also include information about nearest medical facilities along with a safety plan and chain of action in the emailed project introduction communications.

It is the responsibility of each participant to read all communications around project dangers and physical requirements. We are happy to make accommodations, but volunteers must be aware of their physical limitations and comfort zones, especially around weather, heights, remoteness, and physical labor (i.e., lifting heavy loads). If you do not feel comfortable at any point for any reason during the project, please speak to the trip leader. Your concerns will be taken seriously and we will do what we can to alleviate the situation.

Volunteers will be required to sign a liability waiver during the sign-up process in the volunteer portal. You can find this waiver here to review it at any time. Volunteers will also have to sign a Volunteer Service Agreement if volunteering on Bureau of Land Management lands (the majority of projects) in person on the first day of the event. If you do not/refuse to sign either of these waivers, you will not be allowed to participate in the volunteer event.

Travel/Carpooling

Please be prepared to drive your own vehicle.  Trip leaders may be able to take some volunteers with them in a GSEP vehicle, and we will do our best to carpool among volunteers.  Many of our programs are several miles down rough, washboard dirt roads. Vehicles with good suspension are highly recommended. 

Illness 

If you are not feeling well or may be sick, please stay home and rest and let the GSEP staff know as soon as possible. In the sake of staying healthy on volunteer trips, you are welcome to wear a mask whenever you like. 

Camping and Hiking Gear

GSEP has a library of new and gently used gear that we are happy to lend out to volunteers that do not have their own. This includes tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, backpacks, hiking boots, headlamps, water bottles, and backpacking stoves. Please contact volunteer@gsenm.org before your volunteer trip if you would like to reserve one or more of these items. 

Food

• Volunteers will be provided with breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee, tea, and snacks during “front-country” (i.e., car camping) for most multi-day projects. We will also provide potable water and bathrooms (groovers) when not available at camp areas. Alcoholic beverages will not be provided or contained in GSEP coolers during projects. 

• We are happy to accommodate those with food allergies and/or have dietary restrictions including those that are vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, and dairy free. Please make sure to include dietary restrictions in the volunteer sign-up form and notify GSEP staff at least one week before the project if any of your dietary restrictions are severe (i.e., celiac, nut allergy, etc.).

• GSEP staff will hold a Utah Food Handlers Permit, which will be available to view during projects. 

• Volunteers will need to provide their own food during single day events and backpacking trips. 

Participants Under 18

Individuals under the age of 18 are welcome on most trips. When signing up, there is a prompt asking if you plan to bring anyone along who is under your guardianship. A separate sign-up will need to be filled out and the guardian will need to sign a liability waiver for them. 

Dogs

We encourage you to leave your dog at home so that you are able to fully focus on the volunteer task at hand. In some areas of the Monument, dogs are not allowed or it may be impossible for them to travel safely in the landscape (i.e., tight slot canyons). Dogs that experience anxiety and/or are reactive/aggressive toward other dogs or people must stay home. If you do bring your dog, they must be controlled in accordance with rules for that area and you must carry out their waste. If you feel strongly about not having dogs along on your volunteer event (due to allergy, fear, etc.), or you plan on bringing your dog, please contact volunteer@gsenm.org ASAP.

Feedback

We would love to hear about your experience volunteering with GSEP! Please fill out a survey to let us know how we can improve, all answers are anonymous. You can also contact Kaitlin Martin (kaitlin@gsenm.org) directly to leave feedback.

Stay Informed

If you would like to stay up to date with all of our volunteer programming, you can sign up for the monthly Volunteer Newsletter  which will include details and links for all our upcoming volunteer events!