Vol 4, # 3

   Monday, January 10, 2000

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YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK (YNET) -- The following is press release from Yellowstone National Park regarding the National Park Service Volunteers in Parks Program, an important part of the American National Park experience.

The National Park Service Volunteers in Parks Program, more commonly known as the VIP program, was, authorized by Public Law 91-357 in 1970 to provide a vehicle through which the National Park Service can accept and utilize voluntary help and services from the public.

On a national level, 89,000 volunteers donated 3,000,000 hours of service in all national parks combined last year. Volunteering is an American tradition that, over the years, has made an immeasurable contribution to communities, organizations, and individuals throughout the country. National Park Service volunteers come from every state and nearly every country in the world to help preserve and protect America's natural and cultural heritage.

Yellowstone National Park has benefited for many years from the VIP program. In 1999 alone, Yellowstone hosted 268 motivated individuals and 9 work groups who VOLUNTEERED a total of 82,639 hours of work! This number of hours translates to the equivalent of an additional 80 paid employees each working a 6-month season. "Yellowstone owes a huge debt of gratitude to each of these individuals whose only motivation and reward has been the love and concern each holds for the park. We can all learn something about the gift of giving through their example," Superintendent Finley noted.

Individuals contribute their time and energy to a myriad of endeavors. There's trail clearing and rehabilitation for work groups wanting to spend time in Yellowstone's backcountry in exchange for chopping trees, constructing water bars, pulling noxious weeds, or engineering a trail reroute. For those who prefer the frontcountry, there are Campground Hosts (part of the VIP program) who assist campers locate sites, collect fees, and issue bear warnings. Many of the historic photographs in the park's curatorial office are categorized and filed by volunteers. The wolf reintroduction program has and will continue to be supported primarily by volunteers who track wolves, record kill sites, and gather other kinds of data for biologists. Many of Yellowstone's 3 million annual visitors are greeted by visitor center and museum volunteers who help distribute information about the park.

Unfortunately, Yellowstone can only accommodate a fraction of the 2,000 volunteers who submit applications each year. The park is hamstrung by a lack of housing, and commuting from areas other than gateway towns is not always feasible. Also, budgetary constraints contribute to a shortage of supervisors which, in turn, prevents the park from utilizing the volunteer pool to the greatest extent.

(Yellowstone Net provides you opportunity to voice your opinion regarding the various Yellowstone issues to your congresspersons and to editorial sections of magazines and newspapers by clicking here.)

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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS AND COLUMNISTS

Ralph Maughan
Kim Steinbacher
Kevin Sanders
Steve Brashear
Clint Wilkes
Tim Gourley
Hon. Bob Gammage
Ruth Colter-Frick
Lee Whittlesey
Tom Mazzarisi
Russ Finley
David Monteith
Denise Elmer
Dr. Bob Bara

PEOPLE AND PLACES
by Clint Wilkes
On occasion Clint Wilkes will offer a story of interest to everyone who loves Yellowstone and the surrounding area. Some stories will be humorous, others will illustrate a point.  You the reader are invited to respond by email.

BELGRADE, Mont. (YNET) -- OK everyone, I am not a professional photographer! I am in awe of the photographs that Russ Finley takes and I'm even impressed with the pictures my partner Bruce Gourley takes and the pictures my friend Bob Bara takes. When it comes to me taking pictures, all I do is see something I like and take a whole bunch of pictures of it and hope that one of them comes out kinda ok. Like I said, I am not a professional.

This is where I need your help. I woke up about 4am one morning last week and it occurred to me that I did not have a picture of the Christmas tree in the Map Room at the Mammoth Hotel. Now this is by far the most beautiful Christmas tree you are ever going to see and NO, it did not come from inside the park. I get up and drive down to Mammoth early in the morning. The tree is beautiful! I take pictures from outside, standing in the snow and from inside from the front of the Map Room. I took an entire roll of pictures and much to my dismay not a one came out very clear. I could blame it on my cold camera which had been in my car for a few weeks but I won't do that, I'll just admit I'm a crummy photographer.

Please, does anyone have any pictures of the Christmas tree??? If you do would you PLEASE post them in the Discussion Forum or email one to me??? I will be most thankful and by the way, a late Merry Christmas and a Happy 2000.

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Yellowstone's Youth Conservation Corps Program for 2000 will begin June 17, 2000 and is a ten week program. Participants must be between the ages of 15 and 18 years of age.

YCC participants generally work in large groups rebuilding trails, campsites, and doing other needed projects.  YCC is a great way to spend one's summer. Participants are not paid, but lodging, transportation, food and other necessities are provided.

For more information contact Yellowstone National Park at 307-344-2148.

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WEST YELLOWSTONE, Mont. -- The Oregon Short Line Terminus District, composed of buildings that were the stopping point for visitors heading to Yellowstone National Park, has been awarded a total of $60,000, in the form of a grant and a gift, for the purposes of remodeling and restoration.  Half of the money comes in a grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the J. Paul Getty Trust.  The other half is a gift from Katherine and Ezekiel Dumke, frequent West Yellowstone vacationers from the state of Utah.  The 1909 rail depot and 1925 dining lodge will receive much-needed renovations.  Rail passengers last used the buildings in 1960.

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