Support Great Basin Institute in Serving Public Lands in the West

VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

Are you interested in serving our public lands? Consider joining our volunteer program! We offer local and RV volunteer positions, spent working along the Tahoe shoreline. Volunteers restore trails and buildings, work in the museum and gift shop, give tours and much more. While this is an unpaid position, volunteers may be eligible for rewards and discounts.
The Tallac Historic Site and Taylor Creek Visitor Center (adjacent site) are operated in cooperative partnership between the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit and the Great Basin Institute. Volunteers are recruited through both organizations and are jointly managed. Volunteers may also serve as a host at the visitor center, or assist with interpretative programs.
Tallac Site and Taylor Creek joint volunteers stand in front of the Rainbow Trail wooden sign

HOW IT WORKS

Volunteers are recruited to complete an 8-week work session, during which an RV campsite will be provided at no cost to the volunteer. Two volunteer campgrounds are available, both within a short walking distance to Lake Tahoe and a 15-minute drive to the city of South Lake Tahoe. In exchange, RV volunteers provide 4 days/week of service to the Tallac Historic Site and/or Taylor Creek Visitor Center, totaling 28 hours.

Three sessions will be available in 2023, with the following schedule:

SESSION 1

May 8 to July 1

SESSION 2

July 2 to August 26

SESSION 3

Aug. 27 to Oct. 28

VOLUNTEER RESPONSIBILITIES

Volunteer responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Grounds maintenance
  • Tour guide
  • Assisting visitors
  • Blacksmith
  • Special events planning
  • Trail maintenance
  • Environmental & cultural stewards
  • Museum docent
  • Gift shop attendant
  • Carpenter
A guide gives a group of people a tour in the library of the Baldwin Museum
Group of Tallac Historic Site Volunteers

WHY VOLUNTEER?

  • Develop a sense of community
  • Live and work in a new environment
  • Put your skills to work
  • Learn new skills or trade
  • Gain new experiences, while giving back

APPLY TO VOLUNTEER

Interested in signing up? Ready to take a dip in Lake Tahoe? Complete the volunteer application now!

For more information, contact the Visitor Services Administrator, Erin Gavlock, at egavlock@thegreatbasininstitute.org.