For Volunteers: Natural Areas Outdoor Safety#
Safety is an important component of any day spent outside. The Natural Areas Department values your safety and the safety of visitors! The activities and events that the Department sponsors primarily take place outdoors.
You are responsible for your own safety and for warning your group of safety hazards.
In an emergency, you should assist to the level that you are trained. You are not required to provide first aid or CPR. Outdoor activities include the potential for serious injury, property loss and death. Please choose activities that match your abilities and be prepared for site and weather conditions.
Required Safety Message#
When you are working with the public, you have a responsibility to promote participants' safety as appropriate to your level of training. When leading a group, you must give a safety message at the beginning of the program/activity.
You need to discuss:
- Potential hazards at the site (rattlesnakes, lightning, etc.)
- Length and difficulty level of program
- What participants should bring along (water, food, warm clothes, etc.)
If you notice someone seems unprepared, it is your duty to warn them and advise them not to participate. After this warning, it is the participant's decision to proceed or not.
What to Bring#
When you are leading a group/activity/program, you are required to bring a first aid kit (check one out in the resource room at Nix). Depending on the season, please also consider bringing sunscreen, insect repellent and hand sanitizer for visitors (all available for check out in the resource room at Nix).
Notes#
- Call boxes are located at Gateway along the entrance drive and at Bobcat Ridge in the parking lot.
- AEDs (Automatic Electronic Defibrillators) are at the Nix office building,Gateway Ranger's Office and Primrose Studio.
Safety Policies & Resources For Volunteers#
- Natural Areas Outdoor Safety webpage for the public, includes west nile virus, rabies and other hazard information.
- Soapstone Prairie and Bobcat Ridge Safety Procedures
- Safety Policy for Master Naturalists
- Emergency contact card
- Liability and Workers Compensation information
- Safety for night programs
- After an accident or incident occurs, contact a staff person for help with incident reporting procedures and completing this incident report form.
Rangers#
To report a problem that needs the attention of a ranger, call 970-416-2147. Rangers are on-duty seven days a week, during daylight hours. Messages received during off-duty hours will be returned at the beginning of the next ranger shift.
To report a life-threatening emergency, call 911. Gateway Natural Area Ranger Office (970) 407-1106 Bobcat Ridge Natural Area Ranger Office (970) 461-2700 Soapstone Gatehouse (970) 218-9447 Ranger on duty (970) 416-2147