Craggy Gardens Rover - Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway is recruiting volunteers to join its Craggy Rover Volunteer Team. These volunteers educate visitors about the importance of obeying park rules and regulations to protect the fragile plant communities found there.

Craggy Gardens is a popular, high elevation destination 20 miles north of Asheville on the Blue Ridge Parkway. At 5,500 feet, the gorgeous and expansive views are some of the Parkway’s finest. Part of the Great Craggy Mountains, strong winds, fog, and harsh winters have shaped the area, producing stunted, twisted trees and wildlife that is uniquely adapted to this different environment. The name Craggy comes from jagged rock outcroppings or “crags” found here and the shrubs and grasses of the summit balds give the area a “garden” feel. And while colorful wildflowers can be seen from April through October, the highlight comes in June when the spectacular purple and pink blooms of the Catawba rhododendron are at their peak.

Volunteers will be asked to commit to at least one 4-hour shift per week for the duration of the season (April to November).

Main Goals for This Position to Accomplish:

The main goal for the Craggy Rover Program is to enhance visitor understanding and promote responsible use at Craggy Pinnacle Area in order to protect critically imperiled park resources in the Craggy Pinnacle Area.

Description of Work to be Performed:

•Volunteer will rove Craggy Pinnacle Trail from the trailhead to the pinnacle, engaging with park visitors and serving as the “eyes and ears” at the location to better protect park resources.

•Volunteer will provide information to visitors as needed regarding remaining on established trails and in established viewing areas; resource information; littering; as well as information about not feeding and approaching wildlife. Many park visitors are not aware of park regulations. The role of the VIP is to inform them about regulations in a respectful, courteous manner. The VIP is NOT responsible for ensuring that visitors comply with regulations. VIPs should pass along information about violators to park dispatch via the park radio if the situation is an immediate concern. Otherwise, report activity as a part of patrol report.

•Participant will track and log their service hours and complete a daily patrol report using an NPS-provided form. Form should be submitted in a timely manner.

•Volunteer may support other resource management related tasks as needed including, collecting phenology data, brushing in social trails and assisting with planting or plant monitoring activities.

•Volunteer must sign a Confidentiality Agreement.

Knowledge and Skills Required: 

• Ability to communicate effectively

• Ability to display a positive attitude and professional demeanor 

• Knowledge of NPS regulations desired 

• Knowledge of birds, especially raptors desired

• Ability to determine visitor needs and answer questions 

• Ability to remain courteous and calm in hectic circumstances 

• Ability to follow oral and written instructions 

• Ability to practice safety in all aspects of the job. 

• Ability to work independently with little or no direct supervision 

Physical Requirements of Work:

The work requires moderate physical effort. This position will be expected to continually walk, bend, stoop, and stand. The Craggy Pinnacle trail is an out and back trail that is .7 miles in length each direction with an approximate elevation gain of 250’. Volunteers must be capable of ascending and descending the trail, as well as walking on uneven surfaces for the duration.