Last Updated on March 30, 2020 4:50 pm
Asheville, NC, March 30, 2020 – All volunteer engagement on the National Forests in North Carolina has been temporarily suspended until at least May 15. This step has been taken to protect public health and safety and to align with guidance from North Carolina state health officials and experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
This temporary suspension includes all volunteer activities, including but not limited to trail maintenance, inventorying and monitoring, vegetation management, special events, education and outreach, and the maintenance and management of developed recreation/day-use sites. The USDA Forest Service will work with partners to plan the best way to resume collective work with volunteers after May 15th.
By temporarily suspending the volunteer program, the National Forests in North Carolina is taking necessary measures to safeguard the health of our employees, our volunteers and the public. We are monitoring the situation closely in coordination with local and state health organizations, and we will make necessary changes as the need arises. The health and well-being of our employees, partners, volunteers and the people we serve are our top priority.
For more than 100 years, the Forest Service has brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. The National Forests in North Carolina is grateful for the work of volunteers who make significant contributions to the legacy of conservation for future generations, from campground hosts to trail maintenance, visitor services and research.
Review the National Forests in North Carolina website for updates and more information. Updates about the forest response to COVID-19 will be posted at www.fs.usda.gov/nfsnc, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nfsnc, and on Twitter at twitter.com/NFsNCarolina.
