Hello All,

 

I wanted to give you an update on Mask and Vehicle Use when you are volunteering.

 

Appropriate masks must be worn consistently. Masks must be worn while inside all federal buildings, while inside any private office spaces leased by USDA or the federal government, while riding in USDA vehicles and on National Forest System lands when physical distancing cannot be maintained. Masks must be worn in common areas or shared workspaces (including open floorplan office space, cubicle embankments, conference rooms, and USFS vehicles). Masks should also be worn in outdoor shared facility spaces when physical distancing cannot be maintained such as in common eating areas or breezeways. USDA will not allow non-protective masks, masks with exhalation valves, or face shields as a substitute for masks.

 

The USFS exceptions to the wearing of masks are for the following situations.

 

1. When an individual is alone in an office with floor to ceiling walls and a closed door.

2. For a limited time when an individual can maintain physical distancing for eating or drinking.

3. When an individual is riding alone in a Forest Service vehicle.

4. When individuals are performing unique work-related tasks and physical distancing cannot be maintained such as where there is physically demanding fuels reduction work or demanding natural resource management activities and wearing a mask can interfere with breathing and/or body temperature regulation.

 

Volunteers will be able to drive in the same vehicle if people are comfortable enough to do so. Masks always need to be worn when riding with someone in the same vehicle unless you live with that individual. 

Volunteers are still expected to follow COVID guidelines before going to a project.

 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me. Thank you for all that you do and stay safe!

 

Thanks,

 

Antonio S. Garcia

 

 

 

Happy New Year!

 

It's that quarterly time again! I'm collecting volunteer hours for the period October 1 thru December 31.

If you signed an attendance sheet on an organized crew, there is no need to report your hours now. 

That attendance sheet gets turned-in to me by the crew leader, and your hours are recorded.

 

Otherwise, please use the attached form to document your hours.

If you find the form inconvenient, I'll take your hours any way you choose.

Include the date, hours, group(FOSM, Tijeras Pueblo, etc), and type of work performed.

Be sure to include travel time in your hours.

 

If you have already provided your hours thank you.

 

Deadline for reporting is January 15.

 

Crew leaders please make sure that you have a sign in sheet and everyone is signing it so I get an accurate count of volunteer hours.

 

Group leaders please send this email out to your volunteer contact list so we can ensure we have all hours.

 

I want to thank everyone for their dedication to the Sandia Mountains and the Sandia Ranger District! We really could not continue to function at the rate we are now without you. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me. The best way to reach me is by email or phone at 505-206-9423.

 

Thank you,

 

Antonio S. Garcia

 

Antonio S. Garcia VOLUNTEER PARTNERSHIP & VIS PROGRAM MANAGER Forest Service CIBOLA NATIONAL FOREST & NATIONAL GRASSLANDS, SANDIA RANGER DISTRICT p: 505-281-3304 x5128 c: 505-206-9423 f: 505-281-1176 antonio.s.garcia@usda.gov 11776 Highway 337 Tijeras, NM 87059 www.fs.fed.us Caring for the land and serving people