EL CENTRO, Calif. — The Bureau of Land Management is looking for enthusiastic individuals to reside and work as volunteer campground hosts at two locations in the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area (ISDRA).

Join our team as a volunteer camp host and make a positive impact on the community, while immersing yourself in one of California’s most extraordinary landscapes. In this role, you will engage with visitors from all walks of life and help support the BLM’s multiple-use mission.

Located in the eastern Imperial Valley, ISDRA is accessible from Highway 78 in the Glamis area and off Interstate 8 at the Grays Well Road exit. On average, ISDRA receives approximately 1.2 million visitors each year with the majority of visitation occurring between mid October and mid April, which is considered the high use season. ISDRA campground hosts will stay on site during the high use season to serve as public contacts. They also provide assistance when the ranger stations are closed.

The BLM needs a camp host at Glamis on Gecko Road Pad 1, where they can dry camp without hookups for water or electricity. Another available camp host site is adjacent to Buttercup Ranger Station, which offers full hookups for water, electricity, and sewer dump. Inside Buttercup Ranger Station there is a washer and dryer available for use by the camp host.

Interested individuals can fill one of the volunteer camp host positions during the high use season, starting in mid October and lasting through mid April. At both locations the hosts live on site in their self-contained recreational vehicles. The BLM provides camp hosts with a minimum monthly reimbursement of $250 to cover living expenses. The hosts greet visitors and provide information on recreation in ISDRA, including where to purchase permits and rules and regulations for the area. Camp hosts also complete light maintenance at campgrounds and day use areas. Your local knowledge will help visitors navigate the area, recreate safely and enjoy their adventures.

Those interested in the volunteer campground host position should contact the BLM El Centro Field Office, 760-337-4400, or email Roger Rubio at r1rubio@blm.gov.

Learn more about Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area including rules and regulations for the area.

BISHOP, Calif. — The Bureau of Land Management is hosting two Artists-in-Residence events in the Alabama Hills National Scenic Area, near Lone Pine, California. Artists Alyssa Marquez and Kristen Freeborn will spend a week in the Alabama Hills creating art inspired by the spectacular scenery. At the end of their residencies, they will each host a public event to showcase their work and inspire visitors to create artwork. The events are hosted in partnership with the Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association, Alabama Hills Stewardship Group, and the Inyo National Forest.

“We are hosting the Artist-in-Residence program for a second year in the Alabama Hills.” said BLM Bishop Field Manager Sherri Lisius. “I am excited to see how the artists are inspired by the Hills and how their artwork can help encourage others to take care of this special place.”

Alyssa Marquez, an artist based in the eastern Sierra, creates paintings and colorful images with a focus on the scientific aspect of nature. Alyssa will be hosting an Observation and Art Walk from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 7, in the Alabama Hills. Participants of all ages are welcome to accompany Alyssa as she guides them to create a piece of artwork inspired by the Alabama Hills. For more information or to register for this event, see https://sierraforever.org/event/observation-and-art-walk/

Kristen Freeborn, from Bakersfield, California, focuses on western themed artwork. Kristen will be hosting a viewing of her western themed paintings at the Eastern Sierra Visitor Center, located at the junction of US395 and State Route 136 in Lone Pine, CA from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 14th. Kristen also invites those wanting to learn new skills in acrylic painting to join her that day at the visitor center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a workshop. For more information or to register for the workshop, see https://sierraforever.org/event/oil-painting-workshop-and-exhibition/

The Bureau of Land Management Artist-in-Residence program encourages artists to use their observational skills in portraying the variety of cultural and natural resources through images, objects, and performances that bring others enjoyment and forge a deeper understanding of our nation’s public lands. To learn more about this program, please visit the Artist in Residence website.

REDDING, Calif. — The Bureau of Land Management is offering opportunities to live and work in beautiful public land settings, in five Northern California volunteer camp host positions.

In Lassen County, the BLM has host openings at the Hobo Camp Day Use Area along the Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail near Susanville, and at the North Eagle Lake Campground, which includes an undeveloped lakeside camping area. The Hobo Camp area is a popular trailhead for a nationally known Rail Trail, while the 20-unit North Eagle Lake Campground and nearby Rocky Point self contained camping area are popular with visitors to the second largest natural lake in California.

In Trinity County, campground hosts are needed for the Douglas City, Junction City and Steel Bridge campgrounds, all along the Trinity River. Douglas City, popular with anglers and boaters, has 23 tent and trailer campsites, showers and vault toilets. Junction City has 21 tent/trailer sites and offers potable water and vault toilets. The Steel Bridge facility has 13 tent/trailer sites. It is popular with anglers and boaters.

Hosts live on the sites in their own campers or recreational vehicles. The BLM provides hookups and a small stipend to help with living expenses. The hosts greet visitors and provide information, and complete light maintenance.

The camping season runs from mid April through mid November or slightly later, weather depending.

Those interested in the Hobo Camp and North Eagle Lake positions should contact the Stan Bales at the BLM Eagle Lake Field Office, 530-257-0456 or at sbales@blm.gov. Information on the Trinity River sites is available from the Redding Field Office, 530-224-2100, or by emailing David Byers at dbyers@blm.gov.

Information is also available at www.volunteer.gov. A search feature provides links to each volunteer opportunity.