My Yosemite FaceLift Experience

Yosemite Valley Mall

Jadyn Pando

Through my internship with the National Park Service (NPS), I have gotten the opportunity to explore beautiful parks, meet people who are passionate about the environment, and get lots of hands-on experience. My time spent participating in Yosemite National Park‘s (YOSE) annual Facelift event was invaluable. Being able to take part in this event was an exciting opportunity for me. I had never been to YOSE before and loved the idea of an event that got so many people outdoors to combat pollution in one of the most visited national parks in the country. Over 1500 people participated this year, collecting more than 10,000 lbs. of trash. My main roles in this event were working the registration booth and participating in litter pick- up. While these may not sound like the most exciting jobs to have, they were both enjoyable experiences.

While working the registration booth I met many kind people and heard stories of previous Facelift events. I was surprised to learn how many of the volunteers have been participating in this event for years. This year was special, however, as it was the 20^th anniversary of the Yosemite Facelift event. It was inspiring to meet volunteers who had committed themselves to returning every year for all 20 years to continue this tradition. It was clear how much preserving the world’s natural beauty meant to these volunteers, and easy to tell the positive effect their stories had on newer volunteers.

Picking up trash around Yosemite Valley

Jadyn Pando

My time spent picking up litter gave me an opportunity to explore YOSE. I was in awe of the sites, especially the waterfalls and mountains. It gave me a better appreciation for what we are all working to preserve. Feeling like I was doing something that made a tangible difference was a great feeling and has encouraged me to look for more opportunities like this around me. It was a great experience to work side by side with total strangers, all with the same passion. During our work, I got the chance to learn more about how others find ways to help the environment, hear great travel stories, and learn more about YOSE’s history.

Overall, the week spent in YOSE gave me a fresh perspective and gratitude for the world we live in. I am thankful for the opportunities that NPS has provided for me and all the memories I have made this past year. I hope to continue my work in parks when this internship ends and can’t wait to see what else is out there.

Visit the Yosemite Climbing Association website and find FaceLift event near you!

Written by Sarah Desmarais
for "A Day in the Life of a Fellow" Article Series
National Park Service - Workforce Management Fellow