The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) needs volunteers now through June to help with field searches for waterfowl nests in the Columbia Basin region of central Washington.

The nest searches, which can last all day, are conducted Monday through Saturday by University of Idaho graduate student John Guidice who is working with WDFW waterfowl biologist Matt Monda.

Volunteers must be able to walk in moderate terrain for four to six hours. Volunteers should be prepared with field clothing, sturdy walking shoes, insect repellant for ticks and mosquitoes, sunscreen, drinking water and snacks.

Saturday volunteers can meet Giudice at 7 a.m. at the parking lot off the Dodson Road access to the Desert Wildlife Area, west of Moses Lake in Grant County. (From Interstate 90, take the Dodson Road exit south about 3.5 miles.)

Weekday volunteers should call WDFW's Ephrata regional office at (509) 754-4624 to leave their names, phone numbers and days available. Department staff will call to schedule field searches.