The application period for the 2024 season is open, and will be open until June 1.
Thank you for your interest in the Olympic Marmot Monitoring Program! Please read through the information on this page before submitting your volunteer application. The application deadline is June 1, but may close earlier if enough "citizen scientists" have volunteers have applied. The application period may be extended if some trips are not filled.
Please note, volunteers are needed in pairs, at a minimum. Volunteer group sizes range from 2–6. We cannot accept applications from solo hikers, and we do not match up solo applicants.
How to Volunteer
- Review some background information on the monitoring program, find out if this program is a good fit for you, and learn what you can expect as a volunteer.
- Decide when you and your group are available. Volunteer opportunities are for typically for five or eight days. The first day is a training day, with the field work starting on the following day. For 2024 training days are scheduled on July 31, August 7, or August 21. Experienced, returning volunteers may start on other dates in August.
- Compare survey trip duration and difficulty here. Click the links to view maps of selected areas. Although trip length and difficulty varies, all volunteers will be asked to navigate off trail, often in steep terrain, while surveying for marmots.
- If you'd like to participate, please fill out this application (link to download .docx). On the application, please identify your top three preferred monitoring locations. Make sure to consider your experience, physical condition and time constraints. Hikes range from simple day hikes of several miles to overnight excursions of more than 40 miles. All sites require hiking off trail traversing steep slopes. The amount of hiking and the degree of difficulty varies with the trips. Requests will be honored on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Email the complete application form to Pattie Happe at: patti_happe@partner.nps.gov. Patti more than happy to answer any questions via email as well. After submitting your application, you'll hear back within two weeks. If you're unable to email, feel free to mail your application to:
Olympic National Park
c/o Patti Happe and Miranda Terwilliger
600 East Park Avenue
Port Angeles, WA 98362
- Once your application is approved, be sure to check out the Information for Enrolled Volunteers section.
