10 great places to pitch in at a state park
— -- With Mandela Day issuing a global call to lend a hand for the common good, what better time to connect with the community of volunteers in our state parks? Will Rogers, president of the Trust for Public Land (tpl.org), a non-profit organization for land conservation, shares his list of parks to enjoy and enrich with Kathy Baruffi for USA TODAY.
Andrew Molera State ParkCalifornia"This beach-access park, with open meadows and redwood forests, is one of the crown jewels of the Big Sur coast," Rogers says. "Camp hosts — volunteers who live in the park for several months without charge — are needed here. They usually stay in their RVs, although one host tent site is available during the summer." Duties range from greeting hikers and campers to doing trail work. The park is a worldwide birding destination and offers great marine life and animal viewing. 831-667-2315; parks.ca.gov/?page_id=582
Tomoka State ParkFlorida"This amazing place is a historic treasure-trove," Rogers says. "There's a tribal village, sugar mills, and one of the largest oak trees in the South — all in a highly urbanized county" near Daytona Beach. Campground hosts, who help guests feel welcome, are always needed, especially in the summer, when many snowbird volunteers return home. After work, volunteers kick back, play cards or have potluck dinners. 386-676-4050; floridastateparks.org/tomoka
Mesilla Valley Bosque State ParkNew Mexico "The gorgeous park, the state's newest, is part of a system of state parks strung along the Rio Grande," Rogers says. "Many volunteers teach in the Outdoor Classroom here." Docents, many of them former teachers or teacher hopefuls, help bring to life stations on wildlife tracking, water quality, plants and birding habitats. 575-523-4398; www.emnrd.state.nm.us/prd/mesillavalley.htm
