The National Park Service is seeking volunteer docents to lead tours of the John Muir Home. Volunteers must be 18 years or older and able to donate at least eight hours a month on an ongoing basis.
The Muir home on Alhambra Avenue, Martinez, is part of the National Historic Site, and offers daily tours to visitors from all over the world. Muir was an internationally-renowned naturalist, considered the father of the National Park Service, and credited with preserving Yosemite National Park and other natural landmarks.
The home, a Victorian mansion built by his father-in-law, Dr. John Strenzel, oversees several acres of gardens and orchards, a tribute to Strenzel and Muir's farming business that took up much of the surrounding valley in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
“I respect and admire John Muir so much,” said Muir Home volunteer docent Keiko Hase. “I live so close, so I decided to volunteer. I feel I’m helping John Muir’s mission a bit more.”
Docents will assist with visitor center operations, lead tours, and help with special events. Each docent will be required to complete three training sessions led by park service staff. Volunteers must be available to attend one date of each training unit listed below:
Training Unit #1:
Introduction to the National Park Service:
Friday, March 15, 2013, or Saturday, March 16, 2013, 9 AM-1 PM
Training Location: Martinez, CA
Training Unit #2:
John Muir and John Muir NHS:
Friday, March 22, 2013 or Saturday, March 23, 2013, 9 AM-1 PM
Training Location: Martinez, CA
Training Unit #3:
Tour Tips:
Saturday, April 13, 2013, or Friday, April 26, 2013, 9 AM- 1 PM
Training Location: Richmond, CA
To apply for our training program or for more information, please contact Joanne Jarvis at Joanne_Jarvis@nps.gov or (925) 228-8860 x 6321. To learn more about this national park, visit www.nps.gov/jomu.
