Volunteering at Our National Parks
Each year, volunteers of all ages come to the aid of our national parks – many of which are strained by increasingly limited resources and staff. Whether clearing trails or restoring caves, volunteers gain personal satisfaction while playing an important role in preserving our national parks. We invite you to read the stories we've included here and to use them as inspiration for planning your own volunteer efforts.
For details on volunteering, visit www.nps.gov/volunteer
Acadia National Park, Maine
Last fall, 47 L.L.Bean employees spent two days camping and working at Maine's Acadia National Park, helping with trail maintenance along seven miles of carriage paths. The "Acadia Days" were an opportunity to spend time in their favorite place – and to help maintain its natural beauty.
Last fall, 47 L.L.Bean employees spent two days camping and working at Maine's Acadia National Park, helping with trail maintenance along seven miles of carriage paths. The "Acadia Days" were an opportunity to spend time in their favorite place – and to help maintain its natural beauty.
Arches National Park, Utah
Volunteers at Arches National Park make a difference by sharing their knowledge and passion for nature. Leading visitors along Arches' hiking trails, they point out details about the park's unique geographical formations and its natural inhabitants, amid spectacular views of canyons, mountains and rivers.
Volunteers at Arches National Park make a difference by sharing their knowledge and passion for nature. Leading visitors along Arches' hiking trails, they point out details about the park's unique geographical formations and its natural inhabitants, amid spectacular views of canyons, mountains and rivers.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
Every year more than 100 seventh- and eighth-grade students lend a hand with extensive trail work on their adopted nature trails. Students also learn Leave No Trace® principles they can carry with them for a lifetime, allowing them to enjoy the outdoors while minimizing their impact on natural resources.
Every year more than 100 seventh- and eighth-grade students lend a hand with extensive trail work on their adopted nature trails. Students also learn Leave No Trace® principles they can carry with them for a lifetime, allowing them to enjoy the outdoors while minimizing their impact on natural resources.
Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
Each summer volunteers join the National Speleological Society in restoring field camps in Mammoth Cave National Park. Their work has included returning cave passageways to their natural state by removing timber, bridges and outdated lighting systems, as well as cleaning cave formations and improving habitats for rare and endangered species.
Each summer volunteers join the National Speleological Society in restoring field camps in Mammoth Cave National Park. Their work has included returning cave passageways to their natural state by removing timber, bridges and outdated lighting systems, as well as cleaning cave formations and improving habitats for rare and endangered species.
Yosemite National Park, California
Astronomy club volunteers lead stargazing events for park visitors on new moon evenings. Their generosity gives others a chance to gain a better understanding of the night sky from one of the most pristine settings on Earth.
Astronomy club volunteers lead stargazing events for park visitors on new moon evenings. Their generosity gives others a chance to gain a better understanding of the night sky from one of the most pristine settings on Earth.
Everglades National Park, Florida
Each winter, volunteers search for, map and control the spread of invasive plant species throughout the park. Their work has restored the diversity of flora and fauna in many ecosystems that were once heavily impacted, and has greatly helped to prevent the spread of exotic plants into undisturbed areas.
Each winter, volunteers search for, map and control the spread of invasive plant species throughout the park. Their work has restored the diversity of flora and fauna in many ecosystems that were once heavily impacted, and has greatly helped to prevent the spread of exotic plants into undisturbed areas.
