| Project Name | 2007 Kanuti cabin caretaking |
| Project Number | 171 |
| Location | |
| Dates | Mid April until Mid May, 2007 |
| Duration | |
| Number of Volunteers Needed | 2 |
| Description | Stay at the remote Kanuti Cabin within Kanuti NWR north of the Arctic Circle Kanuti NWR is looking for two enthusiastic "woods-wise" individuals interested in spending about 3 weeks to a month at Kanuti Lake cabin, a remote area in the heart of this roadless and pristine refuge. The time period would be approximately mid-April to mid-May. The crew would be transported to the cabin by ski-plane towards the end of our wintertime-ski access season and would remain there through the spring "breakup" of rivers and lakes. The main purpose of this volunteer opportunity will be to gather bird arrival date information, determine early nesting season conditions, water levels, flood extent, and perhaps conduct some minor maintenance activities on the cabin and related storage sheds. We are looking for two fairly experienced bird watchers who can take good field notes, fill out data forms, and are pretty independent and comfortable with staying in remote areas. In coming years there may be a Rusty Blackbird study and a Wood Frog study at the cabin, and observations you make this spring will help us plan for these future studies. Also, it has been more than a decade since we had staff at the cabin during the spring and we would like to update our bird arrival information. Knowledge and experience in use of canoes, two way radios, first aid, and firearms is preferable. Kanuti will pay for travel to and from Fairbanks, and the cabin site, and will provide food, field equipment, and a small per-diem. Prior to travel to the field, volunteers will attend safety training classes such as First Aid, CPR, bear safety, firearms safety, etc.. The volunteers must be willing to carry firearms and be willing to serve in a very remote setting for up to a month. (Bears are not abundant and usually are not a major problem at this site, but both black and grizzly bears do occur on the refuge and usually visit camps or cabins once in a while, so we want our volunteers to be well prepared in case the need arises). For about a two week period at the height of spring breakup access to the site will not be possible by airplane. While the river and lake waters are breaking up the only means of leaving the site would be a helicopter, which would be used only in case an emergency evacuation was needed. The cabin has comfortable amenities such as propane cook stove, wood stove, two bedrooms, solar electric power system, refrigeration, but no running water. Contact with the outside workd will be via satellite phone and two way radio. Water is hauled by hand filtered from the river or lake and meets safety standards. Come be a bird monitor for Kanuti at our remote field cabin! If interested please contact Mike Spindler at 907-456-0331 or Joanna Fox at 907-456-0330. Provided by the Refuge: Transportation and per diem, training, lodging |
| Skills Needed | # Be woods-savvy # Take a FWS bear protection / firearms course # Bird Watching and Identification # Pass the shooting qualification test # Building maintenance and cleaning |
| Contact | Mike Spindler |