[Birdtalk] Bird Refuge Tour Guides Needed - Road Closure

[Betsy_Beneke at fws.gov]

Hi All -

Bids are on the street, and YES, the Bear River Bird Refuge road project
WILL commence this summer!  We're being told that the county road accessing
the refuge will be completely closed to the public from approximately mid
June to approximately mid September.  The project will begin at our
security gate - which is near the beginning of the auto tour route, and
will work east, toward town, stopping in the neighborhood of the Canada
Goose Club; a distance of about 5 miles.  We don't yet know at what point
along the road it will be blocked off.

During this time, guided tours of the refuge will be given by trained
volunteer tour guides, "behind the gates."  Which days of the week tours
will be provided, and length of the tours has not been determined - but
we'll do as many as we can.  The more volunteers we can train to provide
tours, the more days and times we can offer them.

If YOU are interested in helping us out with these tours, please let me
know.  Training will be provided on two dates in May.  Saturday, May 3rd
for sure.  And a week day the following week - day to be determined.  If
needed, we will conduct another session in early June.  Training will
include information on refuge history, management, safety, customer
service, bird ID, procedures, etc.  Requirements are that you are good with
people, can provide excellent customer service and can identify a good
share of the bird species found on the refuge.  We will provide I.D. help,
and will encourage more experienced birders to pair up with those less
experienced.  We also ask that you commit to lead a minimum of 2 tours per
month during the 3 months the road is closed.  Of course, more is better.

If you have questions, I'm happy to try to answer them for you.  The refuge
will appreciate any assistance you might provide!

Betsy Beneke
Outdoor Recreation Planner
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
2155 West Forest Street
Brigham City UT  84302
435.734.6436  office
http://bearriver.fws.gov