Buffalo National River Partners is seeking weekend volunteers to assist as “information rangers” in the Boxley Valley area during October, which marks the busiest time of year for the region. Volunteers will be stationed at locations along the upper Buffalo National River, including Lost Valley, the Ponca low-water bridge, the elk viewing area on Arkansas Highway 43, and the historic Boxley Mill.
Shifts will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday. A brief orientation will take place at 9:30 a.m. at the Highway 43 elk pullout, where volunteers will receive supplies. Park officials recommend that volunteers participate in pairs, such as with a friend or family member, though individual volunteers are also welcome.
No prior expertise is required, and volunteers will be equipped with a folder containing key facts about the area, answers to frequently asked questions, a volunteer vest, and a walkie-talkie. Buffalo National River Partners will assign specific dates and locations ahead of the scheduled weekends. Volunteers are encouraged to indicate all the dates they can participate and share any familiarity they may have with the listed sites when signing up.
Those interested can sign up online at bnrpartners.org/sign-ups or contact the organization via email at bnrpartners@gmail.com. Buffalo National River Partners is a nonprofit organization that works in support of the Buffalo National River.