Volunteering with Partners

Volunteer

• Volunteer Overview
• Individual Volunteering and Internships
• Group Volunteering
• Drop-in Volunteering and Special Events
• International Volunteering
• Volunteering with Partners

Yosemite works with many organizations to support volunteers in the park. Some, like the Yosemite Conservancy, have extensive volunteer programs for both groups and individuals in the park. Others, such as the Sierra Club and the National Council for Preservation Education, support specific group or individual opportunities. For most of these groups, you can apply for positions directly through the partner's website. For the group projects, the organizations may charge a fee for food and logistical organization.

The following organizations are a sample of the park's annual partners.

Yosemite Conservancy

Through the support of donors, Yosemite Conservancy provides grants and support to Yosemite National Park to help preserve and protect Yosemite today and for future generations. The work funded by Yosemite Conservancy is visible throughout the park, from trail rehabilitation to wildlife protection and habitat restoration. The Conservancy is dedicated to enhancing the visitor experience and providing a deeper connection to the park through outdoor programs, volunteering and wilderness services. Thanks to dedicated supporters, the Conservancy has provided more than $100 million in grants to Yosemite National Park. Learn more at yosemiteconservancy.org or call 415/434-1782.

 

Student Conservation Association intern maps informal trails in Tuolumne Meadows.

The Yosemite Conservancy has three volunteer programs:

• Visitor Information Assistants (also known as "month-longs") volunteer for a month or more to help the public enjoy their park through staffing visitor centers and contact stations, roving trails, and educating the public about the role of the Yosemite Conservancy.

• Work Week volunteers work for one week with National Park Service staff on projects throughout Yosemite.

• Corporate Work Project group volunteers are those working for companies that donate at a certain level.

To learn more about volunteering with the Yosemite Conservancy, or to apply to one of these programs, please visit their website or call 209/379-2317, extension 14.

Sierra Club

Since 1892, the Sierra Club has been working to protect communities, wild places, and the planet itself. Since John Muir's early days as first president of the Sierra Club, the organization has been closely connected to Yosemite. Today, individuals volunteers work for the Sierra Club in the Yosemite Conservation Heritage Center (formerly LeConte Memorial Lodge) during summer months, under a special agreement with the National Park Service (NPS). The Sierra Club also partners with the NPS to facilitate one or more week-long service projects; most projects have involved ecological restoration work or trail work.

Pacific Crest Trail Association

The mission of the Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA) is to protect, preserve and promote the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail as an internationally significant resource for the enjoyment of hikers and equestrians, and for the value that wild and scenic lands provide to all people. Nearly 70 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail traverse Yosemite National Park. The park partners with PCTA to organize week-long projects along this trail.

American Hiking Society

As the national voice for America's Hikers, American Hiking Society (AHS) promotes and protects foot trails and the hiking experience. At Yosemite, AHS partners with the trails program to repair and restore trails throughout the park during week-long Volunteer Vacations.

Wilderness Volunteers

Wilderness Volunteers is a nonprofit organization created in 1997 to organize and promote volunteer service to America's wild lands. At Yosemite, Wilderness Volunteers have been working on a wilderness restoration project near Hetch Hetchy and Tuolumne Meadows in recent years.

Conservation Volunteers International Program

Conservation VIP works in Partnership with REI Adventures to engage volunteers in service projects at national parks around the world. At Yosemite, they partner with our trail crews to build and repair trails during projects twice a year.

Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of America

The National Park Service has partnerships with both the Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of America to promote exploration and service in the national parks. Hundreds of scouts volunteer in the park each year as a part of our group program. Boy Scouts may earn a Resource Stewardship Ranger Patch by engaging in a combination of educational pursuits and service for at least 10 hours. Girl Scouts of America have a similar program, currently being restructured.

Student Conservation Association

The Student Conservation Association (SCA) places interns of all ages in conservation positions throughout the United States, including dozens each year in Yosemite. Applicants apply directly through the SCA for Yosemite positions. Yosemite staff interview and select the interns.