Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument volunteer Joan Cox reached a total of 4500 service hours at the park on February 28, 2019. Cox has been a volunteer at the monument for five years.

Previously, Cox has volunteered at many other parks, including Everglades National Park, Yellowstone National Park, and White Sands National Monument. She has also volunteered at New Mexico State Parks; City of Rocks State Park and Elephant Butte Lake State Park,

Now retired, Cox began in the hotel business. Her husband worked for a park concessioner at Yellowstone, and she was happy to follow him there. Her two children were born in Yellowstone, where the family spent five years.

Cox later accompanied her husband’s moves to other parks, enjoying the ability to help the National Park Service’s mission of conservation and enjoyment “on the side.” Although Cox’s husband has passed away, she continues to be passionate about parks, and especially loves volunteering at Gila Cliff Dwellings.

“It really is a magical place,” she said. “It has always felt special to me, and I’ve been touched by it. I want to continue learning as much as I can.”

Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument is always looking for new and returning volunteers to assist with its mission. The monument has interpretation volunteers, like Cox, who work directly with visitors as well as construction and maintenance volunteers. Interpretive volunteers answer questions, show visitors the cliff dwellings, work at the visitor center, and help to keep the park clean. Volunteer opportunities can be three or months at a time, as Joan has done, or for weekends, special projects, and special events.

If you are interested in volunteering, contact Andrea Eide, Acting Chief of Interpretation and Volunteer Coordinator, at (575) 536-9461, extension 32.

“Its fun working at Gila,” Cox said. “There are lots of changes, lots of challenges, and lots of things to learn. Every year its different.”