Yellowstone Seeks Volunteers For National Public Lands Day Projects

National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior

Yellowstone National Park
P.O. Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 11, 2009 09-084
Al Nash or Stacy Vallie (307) 344-2015
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Yellowstone Seeks Volunteers For National Public Lands Day Projects
Entrance fee waived for all visitors Saturday, September 26

The National Park Service will waive park entrance fees on Saturday, September 26, in conjunction with National Public Lands Day.

Yellowstone National Park is looking for volunteers for two work projects which are being held in conjunction with the 16th annual event.

National Public Lands Day, which started in 1994, has become the nation’s largest single hands-on volunteer effort.

A group of volunteers is needed to help clean-up the historic cemetery in Mammoth Hot Springs. The group will work from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. clearing brush and painting the cemetery fence. Participants are to gather by 10:00 a.m. in the parking lot at the Mammoth Horse Corrals across from the Lower Terraces.

At the conclusion of the cleanup, participants are invited to attend a preview of the Ken Burns film series "The National Parks: America’s Best Idea", which will premiere nationwide on PBS starting Sunday evening, September 27. The preview is planned for 4:00 p.m. in the Map Room of the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel.

Those volunteers able to spend a full day in the park are asked to help with trail restoration work along the Wapiti Lake Trail in the Canyon area. This group will work from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. clearing brush from trail edges and installing water bars. Participants are asked to meet at the Wapiti Lake Picnic Area parking lot at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday.

Drinks and snacks will be provided. All volunteers should bring lunch, water, sunscreen, and sturdy footwear, and be prepared with adequate clothing for a variety of weather conditions.

Volunteers are asked to register by 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 23. Free camping for volunteers is also available at Norris Campground for Saturday night, September 26. Those interested in volunteering or in a camping waiver are asked to email their names and phone numbers to YELL_Volunteer_Office@nps.gov or call 307-344-2729 and leave a voice mail message with their name and phone number.

Those who participate in one of the National Public Lands Day volunteer activities will receive a coupon good for a one-time free entrance to the federal public lands area of their choice.