Workamping at Wallkill River NWR

Credit: Cheryl Bloomer Kevin Jones and Cheryll Compton

After retiring five years ago, we decided that our primary interests were to travel and to volunteer for worthwhile not-for-profit organizations. We have been extremely pleased with the volunteer experience at the four National Wildlife Refuges (NWR) that we have so far had the pleasure to volunteer at. The Wallkill River NWR has been one of the best volunteer experiences to date. In fact after spending the summer of 2010 at the Refuge, we decided to return for the spring and summer of 2011.

We found the facilities provided for us were top notch; a full hook up site including 50 amp electric service, large cement pads for our RV and a pleasant, quite, wooded area for our residence on wheels. (We have been visited by wild turkeys and an occasional black bear at our campsite.) Propane was also provided by the Refuge as well as a clothes washer and dryer. Our Verizon cell phone and computer air card has great reception at the campsite and throughout the area.

Our primary task at the refuge was to lead canoe/kayak trips on the Wallkill River. After being certified in Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation and First Aid, having a group trip with Refuge staff and enjoying our own exploratory kayak trips, we felt well prepared to lead participants on these introductory trips. The participants appreciated having knowledgeable trip leaders who pointed out beaver dams, wildlife and an eagle’s nest, as well as the kayaks that were provided to them free of charge. We noted that many of the participants enjoyed the experience so much that they would sign up for additional trips. Perhaps kayaking on the river is the best means of experiencing the wildlife and solitude of this phenomenal Refuge.

In addition to leading canoe/kayak trips, we provided trail maintenance, removed litter and developed additional programs for the general public including a childrens birding program as well as modifying a firefly program. Overall, the assigned tasks have been enjoyable and productive. Refuge staff has been extremely cooperative and friendly making the overall experience at the Wallkill River NWR a rewarding experience.

Credit: USFWS Kathy and Gene Ford

Gene and I have been full-time RV'ers for five years. We love volunteering for National Wildlife Refuges and were thrilled when we got the call from Fran to volunteer the summer of 2010. The very first day we arrived we found out how accommodating the staff is. Our motorhome is 40' long and they were concerned that we might have difficulty making the turn from the highway to the RV site, so Jesse was using the dozer to enlarge the corner of the entrance! Needless to say, we made the corner and when we got to the RV sites we were stunned to see large concrete pads with full hookups with 50 amp electric. The RV sites are out in the woods and we had excellent satellite reception for our television, good Verizon cell phone and computer coverage. A washer and dryer is available about a mile from the RV site in one of the many properties the refuge owns. We had all sorts of wildlife visit our "home in the forest" the entire summer. We had deer, turkeys, raccoons, birds galore and even "Old Joe", a limping older bear.

Our primary responsibilities were to maintain the hiking trails, hunt parking areas, canoe access parking lots and mowing and weed eating the many properties the the refuge owns. One of the greatest things about Wallkill River NWR is that anything you need to do your job is provided! The riding mowers, weed eaters, chainsaws and anything else you need is available and in tiptop shape. There were special projects as well........including taking apart a steel and wooden bridge, trailblazing the new Timberdoodle Trail, and working the very popular Refuge Days Event.

The entire staff of Wallkill River NWR is appreciative of everything you do for the refuge and the lunch hours were a great gathering of staff and volunteers. Everyone genuinely cares for each other and it shows in the operation of the refuge! If you want a volunteer job where you are told what needs to be done and you are given the proper tools for the proper job, this is the place for you! This is one refuge that we were truly sad to leave at the end of our summer........we never had the dreaded "hitch itch" that can occur when you get towards the end of a volunteer experience. We highly recommend Wallkill River NWR to all our fellow volunteers! I imagine down the road there will be a waiting list to volunteer here.

Credit: USFWS Ellen and Hal Cubberley

We volunteered at Wallkill River NWR from April 7, 2010 until June 7, 2010. Our last day worked was June 2nd. Although 32 hours (2 days @ 8 hrs. each) per couple is required in exchange for an RV site we elected to work 3 days at 7 hrs. We feel this would make up for the short first and last weeks of our stay and because, for us, four days off is enough each week to play tourist.

Both of us worked at cleaning up trash from the parking areas around the refuge. One morning we picked up 5 large bags of trash plus some large items that wouldn’t fit in a bag. Until you get out and look for trash you don’t realize how much is there.

Ellen worked in the office most of the time and straightened up the volunteer clothing and inventoried them. Straightening up the supply cabinet, cleaning out some items in the basement, shredding a large stack of papers, revising the staff phone listing, and cleaning the nature trail signs were among the smaller jobs that were performed.

Her major projects were putting together a booklet for Resident Volunteers and Interns about Sussex and the surrounding areas. This included, but not limited to, emergency information, libraries, restaurants, grocery stores, points of interest and included directions, times of operation, fees, etc. The other project was putting together an evening program on fireflies. Information was researched, pictures found, a supply list was made, and a program put together. All this was put in a notebook with instructions. Also a large poster was made showing the Life Cycle of the Firefly. This program should be of interest to young and old alike. It was a most interesting project to work on and love doing the research.

Since Hal had his own Home Maintenance business for several years he worked on several maintenance projects such as the two additional RV sites, did several items on the TO DO LIST for Quarters-5, and made a set of doors for the new storage area under the porch at Quarters-5. He also made a staircase for the fire cache, did trail cleanup, and many smaller jobs that needed to be done around the refuge.

This is a wonderful area to volunteer at and the staff at Wallkill River NWR is the best. The best part of the day is lunch time when all of the staff eats together. A good time is had by all!

During our stay here we went to Liberty State Park in Jersey City and took the ferry to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Went to Grey Towers in Milford, PA and found the mansion and gardens to be a very interesting place and beautiful place. High Point State Park at the monument has the best view of the area. Hal loved going to the Chatterbox on Saturday afternoon and seeing the car show that is there weekly. There were definitely some beauties there. Ellen also enjoyed having supper there after walking around and looking at the cars. Since Hal was born in the Morristown hospital and lived in Mountain Lakes until he was five, we visited the old home site and area. Pictures were taken of the house in Mountain Lakes and also the house in Boonton where his parents and brother lived before he was born.

Credit: USFWS

The refuge is located in rural northern New Jersey/southeastern New York with lots of opportunities nearby for hiking, fishing and other outdoor activities. Nearest grocery store is approximately 10 minutes, major shopping about 20 minutes away and only 1 1/2 hours from NYC.

For questions contact Fran Stephenson by phone at 973-702-7266 x10 or email Fran_Stephenson@fws.gov
To apply for the RV program, send a resume with references to:

Fran Stephenson
Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge
1547 Route 565
Sussex, NJ 07461