Your Very Next Step newsletter for January February 2024
By Ned Lundquist
www.yourverynextstep.com
“Adventure is not outside man; it is within.”
― George Eliot
This edition of YVNS comes to you from Springfield, Virginia.
http://www.yourverynextstep.com/2024/02/15/your-very-next-step-newsletter-for-january-february-2024
*** If you are not receiving this newsletter via the Google Groups list, contact Ned at lundquist989@cs.com to get on the list for YVNS distribution.
“Your Very Next Step” adventure/outdoors/conservation newsletter, published by Ned Lundquist, is a cooperative community, and everyone is invited, no…encouraged, no…urged to participate. Share your adventures with the network today! Send to lundquist989@cs.com.
*** To subscribe for free: Join our Google Groups Listerv. If you are already a Google Groups member, just sign up for the “Your Very Next Step” group. Otherwise, send Ned an email, ask nicely, and he’ll get you on the list. Contact Ned at lundquist989@cs.com.
*** Send us your comments, questions, and contributions to lundquist989@cs.com.
*** In this issue (scroll down to find the links for these stories):
*** Ned’s upcoming travel, maybe, perhaps
*** Where am I?
*** The Hardest Hiking Trails in the World
*** Better prices but additional requirements? What travelers should expect this year.
*** Flying in Economy? Here Are 4 Easy Ways to Make Your Flight More Comfortable
*** 10 Underrated Caribbean Gems
*** The World’s Best Places to See the Northern Lights
*** 10 of the Best Cities to Visit Without an Itinerary
*** 8 Easy Hikes with Incredible Views in the U.S.
*** The 52 Definitive Rules of Flying
*** 6 Places Where the Dollar Goes Farthest for Travelers
*** The Best Caribbean Islands to Visit in 2024
*** 11 Adorably Tiny Hotels
*** You should be planning your summer road trip now
*** The Most Scenic Train Trips in the U.S.
*** How to Actually Relax on Vacation
*** South Pacific’s most idyllic islands for a tropical getaway
*** Predator Biologist, Wildlife Innovations, San Diego, CA
*** South Pacific Pocket Guide
*** A Guide to Vacationing in the Seychelles Islands
*** SOUTH PACIFIC ISLANDS TRAVEL ADVICE
*** The Ultimate City Guide to Palma de Mallorca
*** This Italian Island Has Tranquil Villages, Stunning Beaches, and Luxury Hotels — Here’s How to Plan Your Trip
*** South Africa Travel Guide
*** Rail Trail of the Month
December 2023
Alabama’s Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail
January 2024
North Dakota’s Missouri Valley Millennium Legacy Trail
February 2024
New Jersey’s Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park Trail
*** Trail/Outdoor/Conservation volunteer opportunities (see listings below for links):
1.) SKYWARN® Storm Spotter, NOAA, your location
2.) Herring Count, Harwich Conservation Trust (HCT), Harwich, Mass.
3.) Videographer and Video Editor(s), Maine Conservation Corps (MCC), Augusta, Maine
4.) Volunteer Vacation 2024 (Volunteers will focus on removing conifer seedlings and replanting native grasses to ensure that invasive and non-native species), King Range National Conservation Area, Whitethorn, CA
5.) ADOPT-A-TRAIL, The Virginia Capital Trail Foundation (VCTF), Henrico County, Charles City County, and James City County, Virginia
6.) Backcountry overnight trail work parties, Pacific Northwest Trail Association, Sedro-Woolley, Washington
7.) Volunteer, Plan My Gap Year (PMGY), Tabanan, Bali
8.) Volunteer Positions, Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, Lothian, MD
9.) Rhino & Elephant Conservation, Black Rhino Breeding and Release Programme, Imire Rhino Conservation, Wedza, Zimbabwe
10.) Dead Creek Visitor Center Ambassadors, Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area, Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department, Addison, Vermont
11.) Volunteer Interpretive Hosts, Denbigh Experimental Forest, Dakota Prairie Grasslands, Bismarck, North Dakota.
*** Travel/Outdoor/Conservation job opportunities (see listings below for links):
1.) Press Secretary, Conservation Law Foundation (CLF), Boston, MA, or one of CLF’s other offices (Concord, NH; Montpelier, VT; New Haven, CT; Portland, ME, Providence, RI)
2.) Director of Program Communications, The Southern Environmental Law Center, Washington, DC
3.) Baxter Park Campground Ranger (2024 Season), Bureau of Human Resources, State of Maine, Millinocket, Maine
4.) Assistant Director – Office of Communications, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Washington, District of Columbia
5.) Full-Time Program Officer, Commission on Education and Communications and North America Region, International Union for Conservation of Nature-IUCN, Washington, District of Columbia,
6.) Trail Crew Leader – Connecticut Woodlands Conservation Corps, Connecticut Forest & Park Association, Rockfall, CT
7.) Trail Crew Member (RFOVservice area extends from Independence Pass to Parachute, Marblet to Glenwood Canyon), Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers, Carbondale, Colorado
8.) PROJECT MANAGER, WILDLANDS RESTORATION VOLUNTEERS, Fort Collins or Longmont, CO (partially remote)
9.) Coordinating Wildlife Biologist, American Bird Conservancy, Timber Lake, SD
10.) Communications Coordinator, WWF Thailand – World Wide Fund for Nature International, Bangkok, Thailand
11.) Communications and Engagement Manager – Housatonic Valley Association, The Housatonic Valley Association (HVA), Cornwall Bridge, CT
12.) Naturalist – Education Specialist, Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Portage, Alaska
13.) Communications Content Specialist, Northeast Wilderness Trust, Montpelier, Vermon
14.) Fish Culture Specialist, Miles City Hatchery, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Miles City, Montana
*** Travel news and adventures
*** Ned’s upcoming travel, maybe, perhaps:
March 7-11, 2024 San Francisco, CA
April 10-23 2024 Singapore / Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
May 18-23, 2024 Gdynia, Poland
*** Where am I?
Home for a change.
*** The Hardest Hiking Trails in the World
By Bennett Kleinman
https://www.thediscoverer.com/blog/the-hardest-hiking-trails-in-the-world/ZHEfMMrm_wAHud_A
*** Better prices but additional requirements? What travelers should expect this year.
By Christopher Elliott
https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/columnist/2024/01/07/predictions-travel-2024/72094405007/
*** Flying in Economy? Here Are 4 Easy Ways to Make Your Flight More Comfortable
By Kristin Limoges
https://www.afar.com/magazine/how-to-improve-your-economy-class-flight
*** 10 Underrated Caribbean Gems
By Sean Pavone.
https://www.thediscoverer.com/blog/underrated-caribbean-gems/YCMUCEa2nQAHLHnP
*** The World’s Best Places to See the Northern Lights
By Sarah Buder and Bailey Berg
https://www.afar.com/magazine/the-worlds-best-places-to-see-the-northern-lights
*** 10 of the Best Cities to Visit Without an Itinerary
By Bradley O’Neill
https://www.thediscoverer.com/blog/10-best-cities-to-visit-without-an-itinerary/XvHyVpKgiwAG5att
*** 8 Easy Hikes with Incredible Views in the U.S.
By Aimee Long
https://www.thediscoverer.com/blog/8-easy-hikes-with-incredible-views-in-the-u-s/ZJxqyYj5sgAHF1uG
*** The 52 Definitive Rules of Flying
A HANDBOOK FOR BEHAVING LIKE A CIVILIZED PERSON, FROM AIRPORT ARRIVAL TO LANDING
By Natalie Compton and Andrea Sachs
https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/interactive/2023/flying-airport-etiquette/
*** 6 Places Where the Dollar Goes Farthest for Travelers
By Adam Wisniewski
https://www.afar.com/magazine/best-places-to-visit-where-the-dollar-is-strong
*** The Best Caribbean Islands to Visit in 2024
From Barbados to Saint Lucia, there’s a perfect island for every traveler.
BY BRIAN MAJOR
https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-islands-in-the-caribbean
*** 11 Adorably Tiny Hotels
By Marissa Kozma
https://www.thediscoverer.com/blog/12-total-charming-tiny-hotels/XvHyVpKgiwAG5amx
*** You should be planning your summer road trip now
Mapping your route and stocking up on gear in advance will pay off when you hit the road
Advice by Emily Edwards
https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/tips/plan-summer-road-trip/
*** The Most Scenic Train Trips in the U.S.
By Jim Stewart
https://www.thediscoverer.com/blog/the-most-scenic-train-trips-in-the-u-s/XvHyVpKgiwAG5az5
*** How to Actually Relax on Vacation
Here are some editor-vetted and expert-approved tips for true relaxation.
BY OLIVIA MORELLI
https://www.cntraveler.com/story/how-to-relax-on-vacation
*** South Pacific’s most idyllic islands for a tropical getaway
By Celeste Brash
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/how-to-choose-a-south-pacific-island
*** Predator Biologist, Wildlife Innovations, San Diego, CA
https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/3802428745/?refId=VFcr8NHpFuiLDRJnFbJqSQ%3D%3D
*** South Pacific Pocket Guide
https://southpacificislands.travel/ps_members/south-pacific-pocket-guide/
*** A Guide to Vacationing in the Seychelles Islands
If the Seychelles Islands have always been on your list of places to visit, take these travel tips to heart.
By Steven Casale
*** SOUTH PACIFIC ISLANDS TRAVEL ADVICE
*** The Ultimate City Guide to Palma de Mallorca
https://www.bontraveler.com/city-guide-palma-de-mallorca/
*** This Italian Island Has Tranquil Villages, Stunning Beaches, and Luxury Hotels — Here’s How to Plan Your Trip
By Dobrina Zhekova
https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-guide/sardinia-italy
*** South Africa Travel Guide
National Geographic’s latest travel stories about South Africa
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/destination/south-africa
*** Do you have a travel adventure, conservation or outdoor update to share?
Send me your stories and I’ll post in the “Your Very Next Step” and on the YVNS website (http://www.yourverynextstep.com/).
*** Rail Trail of the Month
December 2023
Alabama’s Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail
by Robert Annis
https://www.railstotrails.org/trailblog/2023/december/01/alabama-s-hugh-s-branyon-backcountry-trail/
January 2024
North Dakota’s Missouri Valley Millennium Legacy Trail
by Cindy Barks
February 2024
New Jersey’s Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park Trail
by Monica Cardoza
*** Trail/Outdoor/Conservation internship and volunteer opportunities:
1.) SKYWARN® Storm Spotter, NOAA, your location
Help keep your community safe by volunteering to become a trained severe storm spotter for NOAA’s National Weather Service. There is even an easy-to-use online community reporting tool, NWS StormReporter, which promotes the rapid delivery of coastal storm damage information to emergency management personnel and others across New England.
https://www.weather.gov/SKYWARN
2.) Herring Count, Harwich Conservation Trust (HCT), Harwich, Mass.
Monitor a local herring run by counting the fish as they climb to their freshwater spawning grounds. The commitment is small (as little as one-half hour each week). You will help provide much needed data on this once historically abundant, but now declining fish. The program runs from April to June. Help us launch this new data-collecting program in Harwich!
https://harwichconservationtrust.org/volunteer-opportunities/
3.) Videographer and Video Editor(s), Maine Conservation Corps (MCC), Augusta, Maine
4.) Volunteer Vacation 2024 (Volunteers will focus on removing conifer seedlings and replanting native grasses to ensure that invasive and non-native species), King Range National Conservation Area, Whitethorn, CA
5.) ADOPT-A-TRAIL, The Virginia Capital Trail Foundation (VCTF), Henrico County, Charles City County, and James City County, Virginia
https://www.virginiacapitaltrail.org/adoptatrail
6.) Backcountry overnight trail work parties, Pacific Northwest Trail Association, Sedro-Woolley, Washington
https://www.pnt.org/pnta/about-us/volunteer/
7.) Volunteer, Plan My Gap Year (PMGY), Tabanan, Bali
https://www.planmygapyear.co.uk/volunteer-in-bali
8.) Volunteer Positions, Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, Lothian, MD
9.) Rhino & Elephant Conservation, Black Rhino Breeding and Release Programme, Imire Rhino Conservation, Wedza, Zimbabwe
https://www.volunteerworld.com/en/volunteer-program/rhino-elephant-conservation-in-zimbabwe-wedza
10.) Dead Creek Visitor Center Ambassadors, Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area, Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department, Addison, Vermont
https://vtfishandwildlife.com/watch-wildlife/dead-creek-visitor-center
11.) Volunteer Interpretive Hosts, Denbigh Experimental Forest, Dakota Prairie Grasslands, Bismarck, North Dakota.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/dpg/workingtogether/volunteering
*** Trail/Outdoor/Conservation job opportunities:
*** From Marisa Bright-DeLoatch:
Good morning,
Kindly see the attached exciting job announcement with the Conservation Law Foundation. We would very much like to advertise with the JOTW.
Thank you,
Marisa Bright-DeLoatch
Recruitment Coordinator
1.) Press Secretary, Conservation Law Foundation (CLF), Boston, MA, or one of CLF’s other offices (Concord, NH; Montpelier, VT; New Haven, CT; Portland, ME, Providence, RI)
Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) is seeking a Press Secretary to support the mission of the organization by developing and implementing strategies to increase the organization’s visibility in a highly competitive media space.
The Press Secretary monitors fast-breaking news, helps develop the organization’s response to relevant news developments under tight deadlines, and leverages opportunities to promote CLF’s advocacy, expertise, and thought leadership to news decisionmakers and influencers.
This full-time, exempt position reports to the SVP of Communications and Marketing. The position can be based in Boston, MA, or one of CLF’s other offices (Concord, NH; Montpelier, VT; New Haven, CT; Portland, ME, Providence, RI). There is also some opportunity for remote and flexible work within the region. There may be light travel within New England depending on where the person is based for media training or editorial board meetings.
What you’ll do:
- Develop strategies for keeping CLF experts and advocacy issues front and center in a competitive media space
- Translate CLF’s complex issues into digestible soundbites and talking points for reporters, producers, decisionmakers, and external and internal stakeholders
- Conduct regular media trainings and prep CLF experts for interviews and other external appearances
- Draft press releases, talking points, speeches, op-eds, development advocacy reports/factsheets, and other external collateral for reporters and stakeholders
- Setup regular press briefings and/or editorial board meetings between news editors, CLF President and other advocates. Prep CLF staff for these briefings and attend when available.
- Maintain strong relationships with reporters, producers, bloggers, podcasters, columnists across New England and nationally
- Provide periodic media analysis for reports to Board, President, and other stakeholders;
- Contribute to CLF’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
What you’ll need:
To be successful in this role, you’ll need:
- At least 7 years of relevant experience;
- Strong writing and editing skills;
- Experience translating technical, scientific, or and legal language into accessible stories that resonate with reporters;
- Experience writing and placing op-eds in national and local publications;
- Ability to quickly turnaround press releases and statements under intense deadlines;
- Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
About CLF:
Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) protects New England’s environment for the benefit of all people. A non-profit, member-supported organization, CLF uses the law, science, and the market to solve the region’s most challenging environmental problems, from climate change to ocean conservation to transportation. Every day, CLF advocates stand up for New Englanders—in statehouses, courthouses, boardrooms, regulatory hearings, and community gatherings—to forge innovative paths to environmental progress and economic prosperity for all in our region. To that end, CLF frequently works with communities of color, and those that are economically or otherwise disadvantaged, which often suffer disproportionately from the impacts of environmental degradation.
CLF is committed to representing New England’s diversity in our staff, volunteers, boards, and membership and creating a positive, inclusive workplace culture where all can thrive. People of color are encouraged to apply.
Salary and Benefits
CLF offers a competitive salary, an extensive benefits plan, and an open, inclusive, and accepting work environment where differences are highly respected. The starting salary range for the position when based in Boston is $88,000 – $103,000 and $79,000 – $92,000 when based in a CLF office outside of Boston; actual salary will reflect experience and qualifications.
We recognize the value of work-life balance and also strive to create opportunities for growth for all employees through professional development.
CLF considers the health and safety of its staff members and their families, our guests, our visitors, and the community at large to be a top priority. All offers to work, intern, or volunteer with CLF are conditioned on the candidate complying with CLF’s mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy.
To Apply:
To apply for this exciting position, click on the link below to be directed to an online application where you may upload your cover letter and resume.
https://secure6.saashr.com/ta/6181430.careers?ShowJob=537321183
2.) Director of Program Communications, The Southern Environmental Law Center, Washington, DC
3.) Baxter Park Campground Ranger (2024 Season), Bureau of Human Resources, State of Maine, Millinocket, Maine
https://joblink.maine.gov/jobs/1025848
4.) Assistant Director – Office of Communications, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Washington, District of Columbia
https://www.usajobs.gov/job/768355400
5.) Full-Time Program Officer, Commission on Education and Communications and North America Region, International Union for Conservation of Nature-IUCN, Washington, District of Columbia,
6.) Trail Crew Leader – Connecticut Woodlands Conservation Corps, Connecticut Forest & Park Association, Rockfall , CT
7.) Trail Crew Member (RFOV service area extends from Independence Pass to Parachute, Marblet to Glenwood Canyon), Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers, Carbondale, Colorado
8.) PROJECT MANAGER, WILDLANDS RESTORATION VOLUNTEERS, Fort Collins or Longmont, CO (partially remote)
https://www.wlrv.org/wp-content/uploads/WRV-2024-Project-Manager-Job-Announcement.pdf
9.) Coordinating Wildlife Biologist, American Bird Conservancy, Timber Lake, SD
https://careers.wildlife.org/job/coordinating-wildlife-biologist/71177356/
10.) Communications Coordinator, WWF Thailand – World Wide Fund for Nature International, Bangkok, Thailand
https://th.talent.com/view?id=2e36981060e2
11.) Communications and Engagement Manager – Housatonic Valley Association, The Housatonic Valley Association (HVA), Cornwall Bridge, CT
12.) Naturalist – Education Specialist, Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Portage, Alaska
https://awcc.bamboohr.com/careers/39
13.) Communications Content Specialist, Northeast Wilderness Trust, Montpelier, Vermont
14.) Fish Culture Specialist, Miles City Hatchery, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Miles City, Montana
https://mtstatejobs.taleo.net/careersection/200/jobdetail.ftl?job=23142375
*** Send your job opportunities to share with the YVNS network to lundquist989@cs.com.
*** Your Very Next Step is a service of the Job of the Week Network LLC
© 2020 The Job of the Week Network LLC
Edward Lundquist, ABC –
Editor and Publisher
Your Very Next Step
7813 Richfield Road
Springfield, VA 22153
Home office phone: (703) 455-7661
lundquist989@cs.com
www.nedsjotw.com
Published with Google Groups
Ha’ina ‘ia mai ana ka’puana
(And So The Story Is Told)
-Traditional ending to Hawaiian songs