OLYMPIA - The state Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) is looking for a slew of volunteers to help evaluate grant proposals for new parks, trails, boating facilities and habitat conservation projects.
     The volunteers will evaluate and rank recreation and conservation proposals and make funding recommendations to the state Recreation and Conservation Funding Board for new facilities and land purchases statewide.
     Boating: Volunteer applications due March 25.
     Fifteen volunteers are needed to serve on a boating advisory committee, which recommends funding for recreational boating facilities, such as launches, boat-in campsites, guest moorage, restrooms and educational programs. The ideal volunteer understands the spectrum of issues, from boating access to environmental concerns, associated with recreational boating, and regularly communicates with boaters.
     Volunteers serve two- to four-year terms and generally attend up to ten weekday meetings a year. Volunteers should represent local, state or federal governments or boaters from paddling to power squadron cruising.
     Farmland Preservation: Volunteer applications due March 25.
     Five volunteers are needed to serve on an advisory committee for the farmland preservation program, which provides grants to preserve important farmland. Ideal candidates should be familiar with farmland preservation issues. Volunteers serve two to four years and generally attend four to five weekday meetings every other year.
     Volunteers should be farmers or ranchers, actively managing and operating a farm or ranch; local government representatives, especially from cities and counties active in farmland preservation activities; individuals knowledgeable in real estate, conservation easements, farmland preservation, land management or land use planning; or individuals with state or federal professional experience in farming operations, farm conservation programs, etc.
     Waterfront Parks and Habitat: Volunteer applications due March 25.
     Five volunteers are needed to serve on an advisory committee that evaluates grant proposals for parks and habitat areas along the waterfront. The ideal person should be familiar with waterfront recreation and environmental issues. Members serve two to four years and generally attend up to six weekday meetings a year. Volunteers should represent local government agencies or be citizens with habitat or recreation interests.
     Off-Road Vehicle Trails, Parks and Back Road Recreation: Volunteer applications due March 25.
     Four volunteers are needed to serve on the Non-highway and Off-Road Vehicle Activities (NOVA) Program advisory committee, which recommends funding for local, state and federal agencies to plan, develop and maintain recreation opportunities on backcountry trails and along non-highway roads, including education and law enforcement grants.
     Volunteers should represent one of the following points of view: fishing and hunting; horse riders; back road recreationists (camping, wildlife viewing, gatherers, etc.); and off-road vehicle riders, especially trail motorcycling. Ideal candidates should be familiar with trail issues. Members will serve from March 2008 through December 2010.
     Parks, Trails and Habitat Conservation: Volunteer applications due April 30.
     More than 100 volunteers are needed to evaluate and rank grant applications for the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program, which funds a broad range of land conservation, park acquisition and development, and construction of outdoor recreation facilities. Volunteers serve one year and generally attend several weekday meetings.
     Volunteers should represent academics, government (cities, counties, districts and federal agencies), Native American tribes, non-profit organizations and citizens with interests in outdoor recreation projects - local parks, trails, water access or habitat projects, such as critical habitat, natural areas, riparian protection or urban wildlife habitat.
     How to Apply
     -Review the volunteer job descriptions and further details at www.rco.wa.gov/rcfb/temp/announce_adv_cmte.htm.
     -Send a completed application to the Recreation and Conservation Office. Anyone interested can get an application online at www.rco.wa.gov/rcfb/temp/announce_adv_cmte.htm, by calling Lorinda Anderson at (360) 902-3009, TTY at (360) 902-1996 or emailing Lorinda.Anderson@rco.wa.gov.