Alexandra Hamilton
Blue Mountain Steward
Friends of Blue Mountain & Department of Environmental Conservation
Blue Mountain Lake, NY
Personal Experience: Spending the summer on top of a mountain while educating others how to respectfully practice recreational activities was an exceptional experience. Friends of Blue Mountain strives to preserve the historic and cultural value of the fire tower and observer cabin for future generations. I learned a lot about staying motivated while working alone, and was able to develop professionally and personally. This job helped me to discover new professional interests and I hope to someday work for the Department of Environmental Conservation.
Organization: Friends of Blue Mountain
Friends of Blue Mountain strives to preserve the historic and cultural value of the fire tower and observer cabin for future generations
Contact: Timothy Leach - coachleach31@yahoo.com
This program will not be run by the same organization next summer. I do not have the new contact information but Tim should be able to redirect to them.
About the Internship: Fire Tower Steward
The duties of the steward include but are not limited to interpreting fire tower history, local geography, ecology, and geology in light of the intertwined natural and cultural histones and other values of the Adirondack Park, teaching proper trail etiquette and leave no trace practices, providing information about local recreational opportunities and provided communication with emergency services via radio, monitoring and helping maintain trail for erosion, deadfall and other conditions that effect safety, deterring vandalism, helping complete repairs and painting of fire tower and maintaining the trail register and provided interpretive trail brochures. This position is paid ($11.75/hr) and it is required to be knowledgeable and/or capable of learning about the topics listed above. A typical day includes starting at 9 am. and ending at 5 p.m. I spent most days cleaning up the summit, talking to and educating visitors and hanging trail markers. Nearby, there are many other great recreational opportunities and I recommend having a car with you, although it is not required.