• View of Half Dome and Washington Column in Yosemite Valley

    Yosemite

    National Park California

Yosemite National Park Seeking Volunteers for Habitat Protector Program

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Date: June 20, 2011

Yosemite National Park is seeking volunteers to become a Habitat Protector of Yosemite (HaPY) Volunteer. The park's Resources Management and Science Division is seeking help from the interested people to assist in preserving, restoring, and enjoying the natural resources in Yosemite Valley. Volunteers will be working alongside experienced Park Rangers and explore some of the park's most precious resources in Yosemite Valley. No experience is required and all ages and abilities are welcome to participate in the program.

Every Wednesday, until Labor Day (September 5), volunteers are invited to meet park staff in front of the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center at 9:00 a.m. The program lasts from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Visitors are asked to come prepared with closed-toe shoes, long pants, long sleeves, snacks, and a water. Gloves, tools, and other safety gear will be provided.  

People wishing to volunteer with the HaPY program should fill out the Volunteer Services Agreement prior to arriving in the park to participate in the program. For more information please visit, http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hapy.htm . No pre-registration is required for individuals. Groups of 10 or more are asked to call ahead to reserve their spot. Individuals under the age of 18, must have the Volunteer Services Agreement form signed by a parent or guardian. Children under the age of 14 need to be accompanied by an adult. Volunteers with children younger than 7 are encouraged to call ahead of time to ensure that the day's volunteer work is appropriate and safe for children.

HaPY projects will include conifer removal from meadows and developed areas to reduce the threat of fire and encourage the restoration of Yosemite's expansive meadow habitats. Additionally, volunteers will assist in removing invasive plants in various areas throughout the park.

Volunteers wishing to participate in the HaPY project should contact Yosemite's Resources Management Volunteer Office at 209-379-1308.

Did You Know?

Upper Merced Watershed

The Merced River above Nevada Fall and South Fork Merced River above Wawona, numerous small meadows and adjacent riparian habitats occur. Owing their existence to the river and its annual flooding, these habitats help support eight special status animal species: harlequin ducks, black swifts, bald eagles, osprey, willow flycatchers, yellow warbler, western red bat, and Sierra Nevada mountain beaver.