Help Keep Yosemite Beautiful!
Become a volunteer!

Join the Habitat Protectors of Yosemite (HaPY) at our weekly drop-in program! Volunteers help protect and restore endangered plant and wildlife habitat in Yosemite Valley and other high value habitat areas in Yosemite National Park. Visit some of the most scenic areas in the park and help eradicate invasive plant species encroaching upon native habitat. Learn about invasive plant ecology and the flora and fauna of Yosemite National Park. Plan to get dirty while manually removing the non-native Himalayan blackberry, bull thistle, mullein, and other invasive species. Get involved and meet new people. Take an active role in managing your national park. Volunteer hours count towards earning the America the Beautiful volunteer pass.

Group Type

• Individuals and groups welcome. No pre-registration required for individuals. Drop-ins welcome. Groups larger than 10 are required to pre-register by calling 209/379-1850. Groups can also schedule additional weekend or weekday dates (see calendar [98 kb PDF] for available dates).

Minimum Age

• All ages are welcome! Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a parent. All participants under 18 years of age are required to have a volunteer agreement [392 kb PDF] signed by their parent or legal guardian. Forms are also available from the work leader at the start of the work session.

Skills Required

• No experience necessary. Training will be provided. Adults, families, and youth welcome. Fulfills community service requirements.

When & Where in Yosemite Valley: Habitat Protectors of Yosemite meets on Fridays Memorial Day to Labor Day. All sessions run 9 a.m. to noon. Meet in front of the Valley Visitor Center to follow the work leader to the work site.

More volunteer opportunities available! Groups & families of 10 or more people can book a private work session and get free park entrance and a group campsite. Contact the volunteer office at 209/379-1850 or e-mail staff for more information and to schedule a group work session.

What to Bring

• Each volunteer must have long pants and closed-toe shoes. Please wear clothes that can get dirty. Wearing a hat, long-sleeves, and sunscreen are also recommended. Wear layers for changing weather and bring rain gear, if necessary. Bring water and snacks. Gloves and tools are provided.
• Bring the appropriate waiver forms (see below). Forms are also available from the work leader at the start of the work session.

Accommodations

• Housing and camping/RV sites are not available for the drop-in program.

Forms

• Please bring the completed forms to the project.

Form Downloads

• Volunteer agreement [392 kb PDF]
• Group volunteer list [10 kb PDF]
• Position description [31 kb PDF]

Volunteer Contact Information

• Please contact the volunteer office at 209/379-1850 or by e-mail to confirm workdays and for more information or to schedule a work session for your group.
•  Visit our volunteer webpage for more information about additional volunteer opportunities.
• Follow the NPS VIP Network on Twitter or at NPS VIPs on Facebook. 

Invasive Plant Information

• For more information about the plants and animals living in Yosemite National Park, visit the Nature & Science section of our website.
• Read a general guide to Yosemite's invasive plants, including the names of the top nine invasives. 
• Follow how Yosemite botantists have implemented invasive plant management strategies.
• Print out a "Control of Invasive Plants" brochure for Yosemite [1.39 MB PDF].
• Visit the National Park Service's systemwide invasive species page.
• Learn more from The Nature Conservancy.
• Learn more from the California Invasive Plant Council.