Project Links
Parkwide 2008 Annual Yosemite Facelift Volunteer Event
Yosemite National Park » Parkwide 2008 Annual Yosemite Facelift Volunteer Event » Document List
The annual "Yosemite Facelift" is a volunteer-based, park wide litter/trash removal event corresponding with National Public Lands Day. The project is sponsored by the Yosemite Climbing Association (YCA), a non-profit organization. The Yosemite Facelift, first initiated in 2003 by the Yosemite climbing community, has grown into a hugely successful, family-oriented, park-wide annual event that is supported by park operations. Over the course of the past four years, the volunteer hours and numbers have soared; in 2007, the Yosemite Facelift garnered some 2,945 volunteers who contributed 18,335 hours (at an estimated worth of $366,000) and collected about 42,330 pounds of trash (32,000 pounds were from special projects).
This project proposal is comprised of two parts: (1) park-wide trash removal, and (2) special projects. Park-wide trash removal describes the type and extent of activities that the majority of event volunteers will participate in, while the special projects will have assigned NPS personnel supervising activities and will require more intensive coordination. A strong educational program will be implemented in 2008 to increase volunteer stewardship of resource protection. The check-in and registration process is identical for all volunteers. Volunteers must sign up and register daily, at the event registration center located in front of the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center. The registration center is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day of the event. • A series of resource education trainings will be created for park staff that will supervise the special projects and/or work the event. Additionally, a number of sessions will be hosted at Yellow Pines Campground for event volunteers, many of which participate each day. Resource education will be one of the primary emphasis areas during the registration process (described below). • The check-in and registration process begins with each participant filling out required volunteer program forms. From there, volunteers will travel through a resource education station with interactive displays and have verbal contact with NPS staff. • Event coordinators will work with each volunteer (or group of volunteers) to identify the areas to be canvassed. Qualified NPS staff will assist in determining the potential sensitivity of a particular area a volunteer desires to canvas, or will provide direction to flexible volunteers. In some cases, a geographic area or section of roadway will have an assigned group leader that has received resource education training and will accompany the group. Locations where volunteers will pick-up trash will be recorded on a large map displayed at this station. • The final stage of the check-in and registration process is the safety and equipment pick-up area where all volunteers will have an oral safety presentation with an event volunteer, prior to receiving gloves, vest, and trash bags. • Volunteers return to the registration center to have the trash they collect weighed and separated for recyclable materials. Each volunteer receives one raffle ticket each day worked, making them eligible for prizes that are donated to the Yosemite Climbing Association. On the last day of the event, a reception will be held in the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center Auditorium; serving dinner and beverages to over 400 people.
This project proposal is comprised of two parts: (1) park-wide trash removal, and (2) special projects. Park-wide trash removal describes the type and extent of activities that the majority of event volunteers will participate in, while the special projects will have assigned NPS personnel supervising activities and will require more intensive coordination. A strong educational program will be implemented in 2008 to increase volunteer stewardship of resource protection. The check-in and registration process is identical for all volunteers. Volunteers must sign up and register daily, at the event registration center located in front of the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center. The registration center is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day of the event. • A series of resource education trainings will be created for park staff that will supervise the special projects and/or work the event. Additionally, a number of sessions will be hosted at Yellow Pines Campground for event volunteers, many of which participate each day. Resource education will be one of the primary emphasis areas during the registration process (described below). • The check-in and registration process begins with each participant filling out required volunteer program forms. From there, volunteers will travel through a resource education station with interactive displays and have verbal contact with NPS staff. • Event coordinators will work with each volunteer (or group of volunteers) to identify the areas to be canvassed. Qualified NPS staff will assist in determining the potential sensitivity of a particular area a volunteer desires to canvas, or will provide direction to flexible volunteers. In some cases, a geographic area or section of roadway will have an assigned group leader that has received resource education training and will accompany the group. Locations where volunteers will pick-up trash will be recorded on a large map displayed at this station. • The final stage of the check-in and registration process is the safety and equipment pick-up area where all volunteers will have an oral safety presentation with an event volunteer, prior to receiving gloves, vest, and trash bags. • Volunteers return to the registration center to have the trash they collect weighed and separated for recyclable materials. Each volunteer receives one raffle ticket each day worked, making them eligible for prizes that are donated to the Yosemite Climbing Association. On the last day of the event, a reception will be held in the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center Auditorium; serving dinner and beverages to over 400 people.