My Park Story: Jayne Ann Valley’s National Trails Day Experience

Meet Jayne Ann Valley, a volunteer who joined a National Trails Day event at Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway on June 3, 2023 with the Volunteers-In-Parks (VIP) program. Working with their partners, Wild Rivers Conservancy, the Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway co-manages the volunteer program called Riverway Volunteers. This year the event was to remove invasive Buckhorn from the Indian Head Flowage Trail, which is a part of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail when it goes through St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.

Read along to learn about Jayne's experience during National Trails Day and why she chooses to volunteer.

Have you volunteered in the National Park Service’s volunteer program before this event? Why did you choose to volunteer?

No, first time! I had done other volunteer events on trails in other public lands before across the country, and I plan on doing more events in the future. After joining this event, I am now looking forward to doing volunteering in more national park sites. I choose to volunteer because I like to give back, to give my time and physical effort. I’m able to give more physical effort more often than monetary and doing so makes me feel good. I feel strong when doing tough work for a good purpose.

How did you find this volunteer event and what was the highlight of your volunteering experience?

I received an email from American Hiking Society reminding us that National Trails Day was coming and how to get involved. I then searched for an event near me and found the National Trails Day Event at Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway on Volunteer.gov. I see it as a great random chance of good luck. Volunteers at the event were very eager to help and they were good company to have.

The highlight of my experience was the team effort and the accomplishment we made. I liked the positive impact we had on the natural environment and native wildlife. I also enjoyed the chance to connect with others who had the same interests. I met many others who are also familiar with trails in public lands and in national park sites, many of whom volunteer to clean debris, remove invasives and maintain the beauty of them, just as I enjoy doing.

Piles of cut buckthorn line the trail. Volunteers at the event helped remove the invasive shrub.

What have you learned that you will share with others about your volunteer experience? What is a positive impact volunteering has had on you and why should someone volunteer in the National Park Service volunteer program?

I have learned the benefit and impact of the work I’m doing for the environment and the impact it has on others. I like when others see that I truly enjoy this work and I’m happy doing it. It makes me feel impowered to have them ask me how they can get involved or if they can join me next time. As for the impact it has on me, physically, makes me stronger and socially, I gain more friendships. Overall, just being a part of something bigger than yourself and being involved. Doing something that is good for the earth and doing good for someone else.

That is why someone should volunteer in the Volunteer-In-Parks program. It’s all about giving back. If you enjoy spending time in national parks, want to see them stay beautiful and flourish for future generations, then you’d want to help to build and continue growth of these parks by volunteering. I volunteer for this reason: for the future generations, for my grandkids and for my love of nature!  

Interested in becoming a volunteer?

Visit Volunteer with Us to discover volunteer opportunities at national park sites near you.

The official logo for the Volunteers-In-Parks program.