BCP Volunteer Opportunities:
Cricket Counter

Organization

Travis County Balcones Canyonlands Preserve (BCP)

Job Title

Volunteer Cricket Counter

Objectives

Travis County BCP Volunteer Program involves the community in endangered species conservation, land stewardship, wildlife management, monitoring, research, education, outreach, mapping, and information management.

Duties and Responsibilities

The volunteer is responsible for counting cave crickets emerging from cave entrances at night.

Qualifications and Requirements

The volunteer counter must provide his/her own transportation to meeting locations and must be at least 18 years old. You should have an interest in working outdoors on the preserve and conserving sensitive habitats.

Lines of Communication

Staff will supervise your work. Your supervisor will coordinate monitoring schedules and submission of data forms.

Orientation and Training

The volunteer will receive orientation about the BCP, volunteer policy and safety. The volunteer will work with County staff or an experienced volunteer after sunset to learn the monitoring protocol.

Times Needed and Place of Work

The volunteer will work at cave locations on the preserve. Training includes orientation and safety training one evening cricket count. Cave crickets are counted once every three months. Monitoring at cave entrances starts at sunset and lasts for 2 hours. .

Commitment Required

Travis County would prefer for the volunteer to “adopt” a cave and survey the crickets once every three months for a year.  Although Travis County would prefer a commitment for a whole calendar year, shorter service periods and one time volunteers also are welcome.  

Benefits

The volunteer will receive experience with biological monitoring at cave entrances. You will be trained by experienced staff. You will enjoy spending time at the preserve and viewing wildlife from sunset until early evening.

Special Considerations

Confidentiality about cave locations is required. The volunteers must be comfortable working in wilderness at night. There is a possibility that volunteers will encounter rough terrain, snakes, scorpions, fire ants, poison ivy and other wild land hazards. Due to the sensitive nature of karst areas, insect repellant and food are not allowed. Volunteers must have some tolerance of mosquitoes and standing/sitting for 2 hour time periods. Monitoring would be cancelled in event of rain.

Dress Code and Supplies

We recommend you bring a cell phone and drinking water and wear boots and protective clothing. The volunteer should bring flashlight and extra batteries (enough to last approximately 3 hours). Headlamp, camping chair, or pad to sit on the ground is optional.

Contact Information

William Burch, Travis County BCP Volunteer Coordinator
9512 RM 620 No
Austin TX 78726
(512) 219-6190 x3
william.burch@co.travis.tx.us