New Faces, Bright Futures: William Chinana

Adobe, Ancestry, and the NPS: One Employee's Inspiring Path

William Chinana paints wood slats

What inspired you to begin volunteering at Pecos National Historical Park?

I was inspired to pursue an internship at Pecos National Historical Park (PECO) for two main reasons, First, I’ve always aspired to work for the National Park Service (NPS). This was a goal I wasn’t sure I could reach but I was excited to try. Second, Pecos holds a special significance to me. Pecos Pueblo has a history that’s deeply connected to my community in Jemez Pueblo. The opportunity to help preserve this place made it an easy decision to apply for an internship there.

What is your background and how have your skills or experiences helped you in your volunteer role?

My background in environmental studies has been incredibly helpful in my internship roles. After graduation, I interned at Pecos with the preservation crew. Following that, I then interned with an NPS program “Vanishing Treasures” through Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps (ALCC). I returned to Pecos for a second internship as a Traditional Trades Advancement Program (TTAP) with ALCC.

My first experience at Pecos was intense, I took the position to serve my community but also to get my foot in the door within the park service, and I quickly became fascinated by preservation work. Working with “Vanishing Treasures” deepened my interest even further. The people in that program were some of the most knowledgeable preservationists I’ve met. By the time I started my TTAP position, I was much better prepared, my knowledge in earthen architecture kept improving and I began to ask questions that improved my technique and knowledge of preservation work.

Why do you feel it's important to volunteer your time to support our national parks?

Volunteering at a national park has so many benefits. I’ve learned so much more than I expected. Beyond the hands-on work, I’ve gained a deeper appreciation for the park’s history, the surrounding environment, and the local communities. It’s also incredibly rewarding to see the direct impact of my work on park visitors. At Pecos, people are fascinated by the history and architecture, it is special to know that I’m helping preserve these elements for everyone to enjoy.

Can you describe some of the tasks or projects you’ve been involved with as a volunteer?

At Pecos, we focus on maintaining a large adobe mission church convent area and ancestral pueblo site. Every season we work on plastering adobe walls and placing veneer walls that protect the original materials. It sounds straightforward, but each wall presents unique challenges. Fortunately, I’ve had the opportunity to learn from experienced preservationists and cultural resource individuals at the park.

William Chinana measures wood plank.

Can you share a specific experience or accomplishment during your volunteer work you're particularly proud of?

As I mentioned, the veneer work at Pecos is challenging because each wall is unique. This past summer, our crew worked on several veneer walls. It was incredibly rewarding to complete a section in need of treatment. Blending new adobe work with previous preservation efforts is like solving a puzzle. It’s a great feeling to achieve a section that both preserves the original material and looks seamless!

How have you seen your volunteer efforts make a difference in the park?

I feel like I’ve made the biggest difference at Pecos through my interactions with visitors. Everybody at the park has made a great effort to build a relationship with people who come to the park regularly. I also enjoyed teaching new visitors about adobe masonry. It is an important building method that’s becoming less common, so I appreciate the opportunity to explain its viability and sustainability.

What advice would you give someone considering volunteering at a national park?

If you have the opportunity and enough interest, I highly recommend volunteering at a national park! It’s a great way to get and involved and learn about different career paths. Programs like TTAP do a great job of showing you the options available within the park service. At the very least hopefully you make some great connections.

Is there anything else you'd like to share about your volunteer experience?

Yes, I also encourage volunteers to explore areas surrounding the park. From my time at Pecos, you get a greater context of the park and its history by exploring the local community.