Volunteers are always appreciated!E-mail us at prairiedogpals@comcast.net! Come to a presentation! Caretake one of the sites! Help with a relocation! There is so much to do! You can help by donating items from the wish list, go to the Support Page to find out what’s needed!Be a spokesperson! Be a Volunteer! Be an ADVOCATE for a Prairie Dog Site! Speak out, Speak up, or just speak on behalf of the Prairie Dogs!Check out our volunteer requirements below:
Volunteer Requirements:
Volunteer Coordinator:
Coordinates all volunteer requirements, including: fills volunteer needs from database of potential volunteers (assigns people to projects); works with Media Coordinator to solicit new volunteers; works with relocation, outreach, and caregiving personnel to meet changing requirements; and, maintains records.
Event Coordinator:
We need an event(s) coordinator(s) for any speaking engagements or events we might arrange. The individual (or committee) would responsible for the following: Completing the negotiations with the speaker; arranging for a venue, date and time; publicity (posters, Journal/Tribune, Alibi, flyers; radio; other organizations (APNM, NMWA, PDC, UNM, PNE, RMAD, PETA, HSUS?); issuing tickets?; collecting money; arranging for transportation, lodging and food for the speakers; pre/post cocktail hour if applicable; coordinating payment for the speaker and the venue as applicable.
Media Coordinator:
Publicize events, liaison with the print, radio, internet and video media on PD events; advise the board/membership of opportunities; maintain a media library. Maintain print information for distribution.
Caregiver Coordinator:
Coordinate with individual site care givers to ensure that the respective sites are being appropriately given care, arrange for vacation (or any absence) relief; provide training for new care givers; coordinate bulk purchasing of items (Costco/Sams), monitor and take action on changes in land usage, liaison with relocation personnel when sites are slated for development.
Site Caregiver:
Ensure that the respective site(s) are being appropriately cared for by providing supplemental food and water; observe and follow up on any mischief, vandalism or changes with the authorities having jurisdiction; observe and report on any changes in intended use of the area (which would make relocation a necessity). Maintain rough counts of the resident Pds and report; monitor colony size (physical and population). Dust at season beginning and end.
Foodie:
Assist with the pick up and deliver of bulk food items (see Caregiver Coordinator).
Flushing live trapper:
Captures prairie dogs as they exit burrows that have been flushed, examines Pds for injuries, flush PD eyes with saline; mark if from multiple coteries, place in kennels, process into holding tanks.
Flushing Assistant 1:
Assists flushing live trapper by handling the hose, making the foam, observing if there is any down hole action; carrying the hose, saline solution, die and towels between flushing locations, and opening and closing the kennels. Monitors nearby burrows if there is not an assistant 2; helps refill tank.
Flushing Assistant 2:
Monitors burrows that have been flushed or are near by flushing operations; captures (by net) any escaping prairie dogs assists with carrying of the flushing equipment.
Trapping Live Trapper:
Evaluate site to determine active burrows, sets and baits traps, monitors traps at all times, transfers trapped prairie dogs to kennels, pick up/return kennels, traps and returns trapped prairie dogs to staging location.
Staging Assistant:
Observe captured prairie dogs; feed prairie dogs on a daily basis; clean cages on a daily basis. Depending on the number of prairie dogs in captivity could be more than one assistant. Assume 1 hour/50 prairie dogs.
Webmaster:
Improve quality of the website to make it more appealing; post pertinent information on the website including articles; pictures; stories; updates etc.
Newsletter Editor:
Compile and issue newsletter.
Site Development Volunteers: (City)
Coordinator:
Coordinates the work at the release site
Shovel 1 & Shovel 2:
Does initial “setting” of tubing and nesting chamber by shoveling dirt back into excavation; does final tidying of area and sets cage caps or seals tubing with caps.
Tube Setter:
Sets nesting box and tube in trench maintains trueness of tub during manual and machine backfill.
Spotter:
Monitors machine backfill to ensure that tubs are not displaced damaged or crimped.
Site Development Volunteers: (Private)
Equipment Operator:
Operates back hoe
Coordinator:
Coordinates the work at the release site
Shovel 1 & Shovel 2:
Does initial “setting” of tubing and nesting chamber by shoveling dirt back into excavation; does final tidying of area and sets cage caps or seals tubing with caps.
Tube Setter:
Sets nesting box and tube in trench maintains trueness of tub during manual and machine backfill.
Spotter:
Monitors machine backfill to ensure that tubs are not displaced damaged or crimped. Marks and labels each location with a flag and GPS coordinate.
Predator Watch
Maintains night/day time monitoring to keep predators at bay for the period of time that the cage caps are in place (up to 3 days).
Release Workers: (Pre Release)
Release Coordinator:
Utilizing information provided by the trappers and site developers determines which prairie dogs go in which burrows, produced a release report.
Staging Area
Handler 1: Removes Pds from tanks and places them in KennelHandler 2: Handles and labels Kennels
Scribe: Maintains records of which Pds go where
Food Handler: Prepares food for release site.
Release Point:
Handler 1: Removes Pds from Kennels and introduces them into nesting box.Handler 2: Carries kennels; opens and closes door; assists Handler 1 as needed.
Scribe: Records data of which Pds went into which burrows.
Food Handler: Puts food into cage caps.
Predator Watch
Maintains night/day time monitoring to keep predators at bay for the period of time that the cage caps are in place (up to 3 days).
Release Workers: (Post Release)
Post Release Feeding
Day 1: Observe and note activity; remove caps, replenish food, replace capsDay 2: Observe and note activity; remove caps, replenish food, replace caps
Day 3: Observe and note activity; remove caps; replenish food, replace caps with bottomless caps.
Day 4: Observe and note activity; remove caps to staging area; replenish food