New projects posted: Steam Gradient / Infiltration Study, East Flank, Whetstone Mountains & Geologic Fault Study: Air Photo/Field Mapping-GIS compilation. Learn more below.
Both actively employed and retired scientists and engineers serve as volunteers in our acclaimed Research, Inventory and Monitoring (RIM) Program. Scientists and engineer volunteers assist Arizona State Parks as field researchers, collecting data related to a variety of natural and cultural resources at our parks. Observing hummingbird activity, mapping out agave clusters, conducting geologic mapping, doing hydrologic analyses, identifying migrating bird nesting areas and assisting with non-native plant removal are just a few examples of the type of scientific and public service available in this program. Volunteer scientist support is critical to ensuring that we have consistent, high quality data available to help Arizona State Park and her partners measure and manage in a science-informed manner the myriad of resources that make our state park system so unique and valuable. In many projects, RIM volunteer scientists will have the opportunity to work closely with other passionate and talented scientists from state universities and colleges and partnering resource management agencies. RIM volunteers will also gain access to the university library system, and a number of other tools for conducting research and science on state parks. Read a Feature Story about the Dragonfly Project to get a sense of the projects.
Arizona State Parks supports your critical role in shaping tomorrow's generation of scientists, resource and park stewards, teachers, urban planners, policy-makers and other professional vocations critical to your community and the state's prosperity. Don't miss an opportunity to volunteer as RIM Resource Specialist (entry through mid-level) to gain invaluable lab and field experience. You will partner with professional RIM scientists and engineers, park resource managers and ranger specialists on projects that address STEM educational objectives (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). Your RIM and park experience presents yet another opportunity to develop training credit and service experience, and to enhance both curriculums and knowledge bases beyond what many standard teacher programs can provide.
Volunteers can support this program in the following roles:
Volunteers with professional and/or well-respected and recognized amateur credentials in a variety of scientific areas are needed to help with research projects generated and directed by Arizona State Parks staff. Volunteers at this level will not only be asked to participate in data collection, but will also be asked to assist with appropriate research, data analysis, and reporting.
Once a Senior Natural Resource Scientist is in place for any of our projects, these additional volunteer positions may be needed.
Volunteers at this level will be asked to support data collection. They may need to have some experience, or just may be willing to be trained, depending on the project.
Volunteers who would like to support this type of work, but have no background or experience in related science areas may be able to assist with activities such as invasive species removal (pulling weeds!), recording species (taking pictures), and other work that requires little or no training, but is vital to support our projects. For the following projects, or any future opportunities please complete and submit the following forms:
RIM Registration Form (
156 KB PDF)
Volunteer Agreement ( 51 KB PDF)
Please mail to:
Nicole Armstrong-Best, Volunteer Resources Planner
1300 W. Washington
Phoenix, AZ 85007
or email: narmstrong(at)azstateparks.gov and Dr. Bob Casavant, rcasavant(at)azsstateparks.gov
Currently "in the wings" at Arizona State Parks, are a number of exciting research and science venues and opportunities that are awaiting RIM volunteer commitment and commencement at various parks across the state. The example below represent the diversity and interdisciplinary nature of some RIM project that our Senior Natural Resource Scientist Volunteers and/or Natural Resource Specialist Volunteers (mid-level) can assist the park system and our partners with. For more detailed information regarding this type of public service and variety of challenging and enjoyable RIM projects , please contact Dr. Bob Casavant, Manager, Science and Research. You can reach Bob at (520) 260-8826 (cell) or email: rcasavant(at)azstateparks.gov
Location: Kartchner Caverns State Park, Benson, Arizona
Volunteer Position: Senior Natural Resource Scientist and mid-level Natural Resource Specialists.
(Additonal RIM volunteer positions will be needed for this team project once work has begun.)
Description: This project will involve coordinating inter-agency regional Agave management planning, plan implementation, report creation, and Kartchner Caverns State Park Bat Management Plan update. The Senior Scientist Volunteer would design an Agave inventory methodology and implement the approved plant inventory.
Project Timeline: Project Design: Oct – April
Field Work: Flexibility to suite volunteer service; Fall 2010 to Spring 2011
Analysis and Report: December, 2010, March 2011
Volunteer Time Commitment: Approximately 16-24 hours per week
Housing Available: Travel trailers available on park or full hook-up site for RV’s.
Skills/Experience Needed: Degree(s) in related geoscience and hydrology fields, ability to coordinate with multiple entities regarding complicated scientific concepts, demonstrated report creation and plan implementation skills, familiarity with geomorphology, surface and some groundwater systems, familiarity with or ability to learn aspects of Global Positioning Systems, use of Suunto or Brunton clinometers and field tape measurement work, and Geographical Information Systems, demonstrated research methodology design and implementation skills, ability to do mid-level strenuous hiking and geologic fieldwork with minimal oversight after project methods are practiced.
Location: Kartchner Caverns State Park, Benson, Arizona
Volunteer Position: Senior Natural Resource Scientist and mid-level Natural Resource Specialists.
(Additonal RIM volunteer positions will be needed for this team project once work has begun.)
Description: This project will involve coordinating inter-agency regional Agave management planning, plan implementation, report creation, and Kartchner Caverns State Park Bat Management Plan update. The Senior Scientist Volunteer would design an Agave inventory methodology and implement the approved plant inventory.
Project Timeline: Project Design: Oct – April
Field Work: Flexibility to suite volunteer service;---Fall 2010 to Spring 2011; Fall 2011 to Spring 2012
Analysis and Report: May, 2011, May, 2012
Volunteer Time Commitment: Approximately 16-24 hours per week
Housing Available: Travel trailers available on park for team, or full hook-up site for RV’s.
Skills/Experience Needed: Degree(s) in related geoscience or geoengineering fields, ability to coordinate with multiple entities regarding basic geologic and scientific concepts, use and interpretation of Earth Google and stereo air photography for mapping geologic faults, demonstrated report creation and plan implementation skills, familiarity with topography map interpretation, basic surficial geologic mapping skills, familiarity with or ability to learn aspects of Global Positioning Systems, in-coming proficiency or ability to regain proficiency in the use of Suunto or Brunton compasses, working knowledge of Geographical Information Systems is a plus, demonstrated research methodology design and implementation skills, must be able to hike up and down cacti-hosting limestone hills ranging from 200-300 feet in elevation gain.
Location: Kartchner Caverns State Park, Benson, Arizona
Volunteer Position: Senior Natural Resource Scientist
(Other RIM volunteer positions may be needed once work has begun on this project)
Description: This project will involve coordinating inter-agency regional Agave management planning, plan implementation, report creation, and Kartchner Caverns State Park Bat Management Plan update. The Senior Scientist Volunteer would design an Agave inventory methodology and implement the approved plant inventory.
Project Timeline: Project Design: January – March
Field Work: Spring to late Octoer
Analysis and Report: November & December
Volunteer Time Commitment: Approximately 20 hours per week
Housing Available: Travel trailer available on park or full hook-up site for RV’s.
Skills/Experience Needed: Degree(s) in related field, ability to coordinate with multiple entities regarding complicated scientific concepts, demonstrated report creation and plan implementation skills, familiarity with Agave and Bat natural history, familiarity with all aspects of Global Positioning Systems and Geographical Information Systems, demonstrated research methodology design and implementation skills.
Location: Picacho Peak State Park, Picacho, Arizona
Volunteer Position: Senior Natural Resource Scientist
(Other RIM volunteer positions may be needed once work has begun on this project)
Description: The Senior Scientist Volunteer would design and implement the approved Saguaro Study, analyze data, and prepare the final report.
Project Timeline: Project Design: Sept. – Oct.
Field Work Oct. – Dec.
Analysis and Report Jan. – Feb.
Volunteer Time Commitment: Approximately 20 hours per week
Housing Available: Travel trailer available on park or full hook-up site for RV’s.
Skills/Experience Needed: Degree(s) in related field, demonstrated skill in research methodology design and implementation, familiarity with all aspects of Global Positioning Systems and Geographical Information Systems, demonstrated skill in data analysis and report creation, familiarity with saguaro natural history, comfortable working independently.
Volunteer Position: Senior Natural Resource Scientist
(Other RIM volunteer positions may be needed once work has begun on this project)
Location: Sonoita Creek State Natural Area, Patagonia, Arizona
Description: The Senior Scientist Volunteer would design inventory methodology and implement the approved mammal inventory, analyze data, and prepare a final report.
Project Timeline: Project Design: Jan. – March
Field Work: Spring – Late Oct.
Analysis and Report: Nov – Dec
Volunteer Time Commitment: Approximately 20 hours per week
Housing Available: Travel trailer available on park or full hook-up site for RV’s.
Skills/Experience Needed: Degree(s) in related field, demonstrated experience in research methodology design and implementation, familiarity with mammal identification and keying, demonstrated data analysis and report creation skills, comfortable working independently.
Location: Sonoita Creek State Natural Area, Patagonia, Arizona & Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park, Superior, Arizona
Volunteer Position: Senior Natural Resource Scientist
(Other RIM volunteer positions may be needed once work has begun on this project)
Description: Project will involve working with Arizona State Park staff in coordination with The Hummingbird Monitoring Network Program to establish host sites within Arizona State Parks and Natural Areas. The Senior Scientist Volunteer will participate in one or both, the “Feeder Watch/Observation” and/or the “Monitoring Program”.
Project Timeline: Observation and Monitoring Schedules are site specific and are being developed for 2009.
Volunteer Time Commitment:
Feeder cleaning and watch: Approximately 5 hours per week beginning March ending mid October
The Monitoring Program: Consists of banding assistants including data recorders, trappers, and trap observation. With set up, protocol session, and take down, approximately 10 hours every 2 weeks beginning March ending mid October. Additional hours may be required for project orientation and pre-session training.
Housing Available: Travel trailer available on park or full hook-up site for RV’s.
Skills/Experience Needed: Degree(s) in related field, ability to coordinate with multiple entities regarding complicated scientific concepts, familiarity with Hummingbird and other avian natural history, familiarity with all aspects of Global Positioning Systems and Geographical Information Systems, demonstrated data collection and banding skills.
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