National Park Service

Education

A four-year degree in a field related to botany, ecology, or biology is desired. If your degree is in progress, you may be an intern through Student Conservation Association or American Conservation Experience, or apply for a job through Pathways.

You would be a great member of a vegetation management crew if you:

• like backcountry and off-trail travel
• can carry 40 pounds, enjoy hiking/climbing
• are sure-footed
• enjoy a sense of accomplishment, hard work, and team playing
• have plant and ecology knowledge
• can obtain First aid, CPR, and wilderness 1st responder

What You Do

Vegetation management crews strive to restore the healthy, functioning ecosystems in a park by removing plants that do not belong there. They may do this through hand-pulling, chainsaws, prescribed fire, herbicides, and bio-control methods (using insects to eat plants). They may also grow native plant species by collecting seeds, dispersing them, saving plants that are removed for construction, and replanting seedlings back out in the field.