The rules state: Volunteers who work 24 hours or more on approved projects are eligible for a complimentary Discover Pass.

This sounds easy enough, but the volunteer projects have been elusive and difficult to find. We have been trying to ferret out approved projects in the state and Columbia Basin.

So far Regions One, Three, Four, Five and Six have Adopt an Access Programs. This is where individuals and organizations maintain access areas, serve as access site stewards and provide information to the public. As noted, none of the access sites in Region Two has been adopted yet.

The Oak Creek Elk Winter Feeding Program is also approved for volunteers to work toward a complimentary pass. There is also an Eyes in the Woods property watch volunteer projects in Region Six which has been approved.

The only Region Two projects approved so far is the Pigmy Rabbit/Maintenance Projects on the Sagebrush Flats area. This is great progress and is worthy of being Discover Pass volunteer designated.

We have been pushing for another volunteer project to be approved and will be submitting the information soon. There is no application, but Fish and Wildlife is asking for a description of the suggested project.

Our project is the Columbia Basin Meat Salvage Program, where deer taken illegally or become trapped in the irrigational canals are salvaged as ground meat for Basin food banks. Stay tuned.

A Discover Pass is now required for travel on Department of Natural Resources land and also State Parks and Fish and Wildlife lands. There are several exceptions and volunteering 24 hours on an approved project is one of them.