What would Yosemite do without the incredible volunteers who play such a vital role in protecting and preserving this park?

Yosemite’s vibrant and welcoming volunteer community helps to restore ecosystems, educate visitors, collect data, repair infrastructure and so much more. The number of ways to help your favorite park is vast and takes many forms – from single-day projects to extended roles that span months.

Join us in celebrating the scout troops, corporate groups, families, and others who give back to this wonderful place where our hearts live.

Yosemite Volunteer Opportunities

Yosemite National Park’s volunteer programs fall into three different categories.

Events and Drop-In Volunteer Programs:

It’s easy to volunteer at designated events and drop-in volunteer programs that are open to the public! Dates like Earth Day, Apple Picking Day, or the Yosemite Facelift are the perfect opportunity to combine volunteer activities with your Yosemite visit.

The dates for these events shift slightly each year, so be sure to check the NPS page on drop-in volunteering to see what’s coming up next.

Volunteering as a Group or Individual: 

If you’re part of an organization, consider organizing a volunteer group. From scouting troops, to church groups or corporate retreats, groups of 6 to 25 people aged 5 and up enjoy working together, learning about Yosemite, and giving back to this park.

Groups can sign up to be part of different kinds of projects that range from restoration to wildlife protection or caring for trails.

Volunteering with Yosemite Conservancy

Friends of Yosemite donors receive many membership benefits including the Membership Guide and Passport with in-park and regional deals.

If you’re an individual or part of a small group, you may also want to consider volunteering for the park through the Yosemite Conservancy. The Yosemite Conservancy is Yosemite’s non-profit cooperating association, devoted to supporting projects and programs that help protect the park and ensure that visitors have a rich and rewarding experience.

Whether you want to join a scheduled work week crew, or share your Yosemite knowledge with visitors, there are many opportunities for you to get involved through the Yosemite Conservancy.

Other Ways to Give Back to Yosemite

Support the Yosemite Conservancy

Yosemite Conservancy donations go toward protecting wildlife, managing trails and so much more.

If you’re as passionate about Yosemite as we are, another great way to contribute to Yosemite’s well-being is to get involved with the Yosemite Conservancy. In addition to coordinating volunteers, the Conservancy provides funding for most of Yosemite’s most critical programs, and projects. They also host an array of outdoor adventures. They share information through classes and so much more.

Attend a program, donate or become a member with the Yosemite Conservancy to support Yosemite.

Leave No Trace

Another important way of contributing to the beauty and preservation of Yosemite’s ecosystems is by practicing Leave No Trace. Leave No Trace provides a framework for how to act in natural spaces in order to best preserve them for future generations. Do you know the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace?

Thanks for Volunteering in Yosemite!

So, again many thanks to Yosemite volunteers and contributors – past and future! We appreciate all that you do and welcome you to the family of people who preserve and protect this magnificent national park.