Get Involved: Evergreen (Area 1) - Naturalist - Mt. Blue Sky

Naturalist - Mt. Blue Sky

Description:

Training is required to participate in this volunteer role. Training for the 2026 season on Mount Blue Sky will be held on Saturday, May 30th.

Volunteers educate Mount Blue Sky visitors on wildlife interactions and CPW rules as well as collect information about wildlife sightings.

Did you know that the Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway is the highest paved road in North America? Visitors from all over the world take the 28 mile journey from Idaho Springs to stand at the top of one of Colorado’s famed 14ers. The road winds people through three distinct ecological zones, the montane zone, the subalpine forest, and finally the alpine tundra. Each of these zones features incredible natural beauty and a host of wildlife viewing opportunities. The most charismatic of those opportunities being Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep and mountain goats who migrate to the high elevation alpine meadows and ridgelines during the heat of the summer. Due to the number of human visitors to Mount Blue Sky, many of these animals have become habituated to human presence and have no issue with hanging out in parking lots and other recreation areas. At the same time, many visitors to this area are not from Colorado and do not understand that these animals are wildlife and not domesticated livestock.

That’s where you come in! Colorado Parks and Wildlife has wildlife education ambassador teams across the front range. Ambassadors are a critical volunteer role who provide education at both stationary pop-up education tables, and while roving the trails by hiking to connect with visitors. Education efforts are geared towards safe and ethical wildlife viewing, bighorn sheep and mountain goat biology and behavior, Alpine Tundra recreation best practices and safety, and Leave No trace Principles. In this role you will be supported by local District Wildlife Managers, the CPW Northeast Region Volunteer and Education Coordinators.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Kait Evensen for more information.

Time Commitment:

Volunteering in this project can be flexible. Our volunteer seasons runs as long as the road is open. Generally the beginning of June to Labor Day, challenging snow conditions can delay opening, or cause an early closure of the road. Volunteers are asked to volunteer for one weekend day a month. Once weekend days are full, folks are welcome to sign up to volunteer on weekdays as well.

Volunteer Benefits:

Visit with people from all over the world! See bighorn sheep, mountain goats, pika, and marmots!

Accessibility:

Please note! This volunteer role takes place in the alpine tundra! Weather conditions are constantly changing, and general physical exertion can be taxing. Please consider whether or not this challenging environment would be a good fit for your individual circumstances. In general expect to traverse uneven terrain, even in parking lots and on paved trails where winter freezing and thawing can cause concreate and asphalt to buckle.

Interests:

Education - Leave No Trace, Education - Naturalist/Interpretive Programs, Education - Festivals/Information Booths, Education - Teach Children, Outdoors and Community Science - Native Plants, Customer Service - Greet and Orient Visitors, Outdoors and Community Science - Hiking, Education - Teach Adults, General - Ongoing Volunteering, Education - Education and Outreach, General - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Wildlife - Wildlife Viewing, Education - Ambassador, Wildlife - Wildlife

Places:

Mount Blue Sky