Our place-based steward programs pair individual volunteers with the stewardship of cabins and lookouts, and pair volunteer packers with specific projects that require pack support.
These programs are on-going annual programs that can be accomplished by only one or two individuals, as opposed to one-time projects such as the replacement of a bridge on a section of trail. However, don't let the fact that these are annual on-going programs deter you from volunteering…we're happy to work with you for any amount of time that you are willing to help out, even if that's only once. However, because these programs tend to be affiliated with stays at backcountry cabins and lookouts, or packing into spectacular wildlands, many volunteers choose to come back year after year for the spectacular wildland experience.
There are three categories of place-based steward programs that we offer:
Cabin Steward Program
This program provides opportunities to help in taking care of administrative cabins (both inside and outside of the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness) and rental cabins (outside of the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness). Cabin stewards are trained and assist with cabin maintenance, opening and closing of cabins, and support of volunteers working at cabins. Volunteers typically stay at the cabins for the duration of the work, which could be anywhere from one day to several weeks, and then return home. This is an ideal program for an individual who would like to volunteers for several weeks but not the entire summer. To be clear, this program is not a “vacation cabin” opportunity…the work is challenging and abundant, but highly rewarding.
Click here to learn about cabins to steward!
Meadow Creek Cabin, Nez Perce National Forest
In 2009, Jim Renshaw and others will continue stewardship of this rustic wildland cabin just outside of the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness.
Interested in becoming a steward for this cabin? Please contact info@selwaybitteroot.org.
Moose Creek Ranger Station, Nez Perce National Forest
Located 26 miles into the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness at the confluence of Moose Creek and the Selway River, the iconic Moose Creek Ranger Station is the main hub for wilderness work on the Moose Creek Ranger District of the Nez Perce National Forest. With multiple administrative cabins, bunk houses, a corral and an airstrip, there's always plenty of work at Moose Creek.
Interested in becoming a steward for this ranger station? Please contact info@selwaybitteroot.org.
Selway Falls Guard Station, Nez Perce National Forest
The main portal to the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, this cabin serves as an administrative facility located just three miles outside of the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness and near the wild Selway River. This station is accessible by vehicle.
Interested in becoming a steward for this guard station? Please contact info@selwaybitteroot.org.
Shearer Guard Station, Nez Perce National Forest
Located in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness between Paradise Guard Station and Moose Creek Ranger Station, Shearer is remote and wild. Situated on the Selway River, it is a wonderful location to spend time working and enjoying the wilderness.
Interested in becoming a steward for this guard station? Please contact info@selwaybitteroot.org.
Horse Camp Cabin, Clearwater National Forest
Nine miles into the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness from Wilderness Gateway Trailhead, Horse Camp cabin offers a rustic setting along Boulder Creek, and is one of the smaller cabins in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness.
Interested in becoming a steward for this cabin? Please contact info@selwaybitteroot.org.
Fish Lake Cabin, Clearwater National Forest
This administrative cabin is located at Fish Lake in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, a truly sublime site. Sitting just below Wounded Doe Ridge, Fish Lake is home to the only lake-based airstrip within the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness.
Interested in becoming a steward for this cabin? Please contact info@selwaybitteroot.org.
Gold Meadows Cabin, Clearwater National Forest
Situated just outside of the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness at the headwaters of Gold Meadows Creek, this cabin offers the easiest access to Stanley Hot Springs of any cabin. Plenty of work here for the avid volunteer.
Interested in becoming a steward for this cabin? Please contact info@selwaybitteroot.org.
Elk Summit Guard Station, Clearwater National Forest
Elk Summit Guard Station sits at the end of Elk Summit Road at beside the Elk Summit Trailhead, which serves as a major portal into the northeastern portion of the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. This guard station is accessible by road.
Interested in becoming a steward for this guard station? Please contact info@selwaybitteroot.org.
St. Mary's Lookout, Bitterroot National Forest
The SBF will continue restoration of this alpine lookout in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness in 2009 (see Volunteer Projects). This alpine lookout is a spectacular location to spend some time taking care of this historical structure.
Interested in becoming a steward for this lookout? Please contact info@selwaybitteroot.org.
Paradise Guard Station, Bitterroot National Forest
Located in the Idaho portion of the Bitterroot National Forest, Paradise Guard Station sits at the end-of-the-line in terms of roads, deep within the backcountry. While not within the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, it is completely surrounded by the wilderness and along White Cap Creek near the wild Selway River upstream from Shearer Guard Station. This guard station is accessible by road.
Interested in becoming a steward for this guard station? Please contact info@selwaybitteroot.org.
Lost Horse Cabin, Bitterroot National Forest
Just outside the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, Lost Horse Cabin sits just below the spectacular Bitterroot Crest. This is a major portal into the eastern portions of the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, and the nearby trailhead receives high visitation. This cabin is accessible by road.
Interested in becoming a steward for this cabin? Please contact info@selwaybitteroot.org.
Cabin & Lookout Host/Caretaker Program
The Cabin Host/Care-Taker Program provides a unique opportunity for volunteers to support the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness program while living at a backcountry cabin for months at a time.
This program differs from the Cabin Steward Program in that cabin hosts live at cabins for significant portions of the summer (typically two or more months), and return for multiple years. Cabin hosts are responsible for general maintenance and upkeep of cabins (including carpentry, plumbing, etc.), supporting wilderness staff needs at cabins, supporting cabin stewards, providing a hub for backcountry communication and assisting backcountry visitors. They become well-versed in the Forest Service communication protocols and details of the wilderness program on the Forest. Several of the locations listed in the Cabin Steward Program listed above have a need for cabin hosts. Like the Cabin Steward Program, this program is not a “vacation cabin” opportunity…the work is challenging and abundant, but highly rewarding.
Interested in becoming a cabin or lookout host in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness? Please contact info@selwaybitteroot.org.
Volunteer Pack Support Program
Many backcountry projects require the transport of heavy materials, and the traditional skill of packing is the most wilderness-friendly way of providing for the transport of these kinds of loads. We are very grateful to all of the packers who assist the SBF with packing in food and supplies to our backcountry projects.
At the SBF, we're always on the lookout for packers who are interested in volunteering pack support to the SBF. Whether it's for a specific project year-after-year (e.g. the Cabin Steward Program) or a one-time project (e.g. a puncheon replacement), if you're interested in volunteering yourself and your string of animals to pack into spectacular backcountry settings, come join us. It's the perfect way to get out riding in the backcountry while at the same time contributing to the stewardship of the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness and surrounding wildlands.
Interested in becoming a volunteer packer in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness? Please contact info@selwaybitteroot.org.