Stalking Light said:
Having been a volunteer I think you underestimate the amount of training seasonal rangers get and overestimate that which volunteers get. There's more to administering a park than cleaning restrooms. An sadly, the desire to sell off public lands is political whether we like it or not. I'm hoping we don't start seeing more no trespassing signs on what used to be public lands, but I'm not betting on it.
Charlie, like I mentioned earlier, my brother-in-law (B-I-L) is the retired Superintendent of Great Smokey Mountains NP. I am acutely aware of the time and effort of "seasonals" and volunteers having first volunteered for a 3 week stint at Canyon de Chelly National Monument in 1983 when my B-I-L was head ranger at the monument (was not officially a Super back then at the monument).
My sister was a seasonal at Ft. Sumter NP where she met her husband. My mother (a Ph.D in American History) was a volunteer historical interpreter and history lecturer at both Forts Sumter and Moultrie starting in 1966.
Our family has witnessed the NP bureaucracy grow by leaps and bounds in both personnel and budget all the while acreage open to the public has decreased. There are many, many factors which have led to the decline of the NPS ability to effectively administer our national parks and monuments; many political, but mostly budget constraints.
Too bad there aren't more people (especially Geezers) like Charlie (Charlie, didn't mean to imply you're a Geezer) who are willing to volunteer their time and effort for 7, 30, perhaps 90 days at a stretch during peak visitor seasons. It would really helps ease the burden of the NP staff and more importantly, enhance the visitor's experience.
But, if I don't get my $10 Geezer life time card before President Obama signs the Bill, I will eagerly pay $80 for life time access. Still a great deal anyway you look at it for $80!