The Washington state Recreation and Conservation Office is looking for 17 volunteers to fill vacancies on four advisory committees for parks, trails, and firearm and archery ranges.

The advisory committees make recommendations to the Recreation and Conservation Funding Board on project funding and policy issues. The board is the largest provider of grants for parks in Washington.

Recreational Trails

Program Advisory Committee

This committee evaluates grant applications for projects that help maintain backcountry trails and provide trail safety and education programs.

Volunteers are needed to represent:

_ State residents interested in trails (such as land-use planners, public policy specialists, statisticians or specialists with knowledge of backcountry trails and related issues)

_ Equestrians

_ Off-road vehicle motorcycle riders

Members serve March 2009-December 2012 and generally review grant application materials at home and attend one meeting a year.

Nonhighway and Off-road

Vehicle Activities Committee

This committee evaluates grant applications from local, state and federal agencies for projects to help plan, acquire land, develop and maintain facilities for motorized and nonmotorized recreation. The program also supports education and law enforcement grants for outdoor recreation.

Volunteers are needed to represent:

_ Federal land management agencies

_ Local law enforcement agencies

_ Outdoor recreationists, such as hikers, equestrians, backpackers, cross-country skiers, hunters, anglers, wildlife viewers, gatherers, etc.

_ All-terrain vehicle riders

Members serve March 2009-December 2012 and generally review grant application materials at home and attend two, multiple-day meetings a year.

Firearms and Archery Range

Recreation Advisory Committee

This committee evaluates grant applications from local agencies and nonprofit organizations for projects that acquire, develop and renovate shooting and archery ranges.

Volunteers are needed to represent:

_ Archery

_ General public

_ Hunter education

_ Law enforcement

_ Military

_ Shotgun users

Members serve March 2009-December 2011 and attend up to four meetings a year.

General

requirements

The Recreation and Conservation Office’s goal is to ensure that committee members represent the full range of Washington’s diversity. Ideal candidates have a statewide perspective, understand the needs of people doing their respective recreational activity and regularly communicate with them. Candidates should have a good grasp of the issues related to their recreational activity, have the time to fully participate in committee activities, actively work for win-win solutions and seek creative outcomes.

Candidates may be members of organizations that apply for grants or be past members of the committees.

When the budget allows, travel expenses are provided.

To apply

Send a completed application and support materials to the Recreation and Conservation Office no later than Feb. 13. Applications and more information are available online at: www.rco.wa.gov/rcfb/temp/adv_cmte_recruit_forms.htm or by contacting Lorinda Anderson at 360-902-3009 or by e-mail: lorinda.anderson@rco.wa.gov.