HistoriCorps and the Stanislaus National Forest are seeking volunteers of all skill levels to help gather critical data essential for the future preservation of the Stanislaus National Forest, with week-long volunteer opportunities running now through August.

HistoriCorps is a national nonprofit dedicated to engaging volunteer workforces to preserve historic places and provide free mentorship in the preservation trades. Volunteers will travel to different sites to collect the necessary data that will help the Forests determine how they manage these lands for future generations.

Volunteers will be a mobile workforce traveling from site to site photographing, measuring and investigating the numerous structures on each tract. Volunteers and field staff will commute together to a given tract location daily.

The data collected with the team will be used to build a report that guides forest service recreation and reservation managers. They will make permit decisions that impact changes made to the summer homes moving forward. This will maintain the historic integrity of the lots individually and the district (tract) as a whole. Recreation residences are privately owned buildings authorized on National Forest System lands through a special use permit. Surveys by HistoriCorps assist the U.S. Forest Service and the public with compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act. Work will entail on-site field visits to update resource documentation.

Volunteers should know how to use a digital camera and tablet, be able to stand and walk for several hours per day in varying terrain and weather conditions and be comfortable car camping or tent camping. More volunteers are still needed to ensure the success of this project. HistoriCorps welcomes but does not require any experience in architectural history; mentorship and all necessary training are provided.

Volunteer sessions are scheduled Sunday evening through Friday afternoon, and volunteers can expect all meals to be provided by expert field staff during the work week. Tents, car campers, truck campers, campervans, trailers and RVs 25-feet and under are welcome (though no hookups are available). Lodging is also available at the ranger station. Hi-clearance and 4WD not necessary but suggested. Volunteers can expect to cover a lot of ground, so they need to come prepared to be on their feet most of the day and to use their personal vehicle to travel to various survey tracts.

For more information or to register for a volunteer session, visit www.historicorps.org, or email: info@historicorps.org.