There is a disconnect between the National Park Service and communities who have historically been excluded or not represented in the park service workforce. As an urban park in Seattle, Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park (KLSE) has a unique opportunity to facilitate urban community groups’ involvement with Washington state's traditional ‘nature’ national parks.

Emma Lord is a Fellow with the Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) program and is based in New Hampshire. This is Emma’s third term of service with RTCA, where she focuses on assisting the National Park Service with Wild and Scenic River projects.  

Stewards VISTA Liz Sautter just started her service year with The Wilds, a Safari Park in Ohio, in February. It seems like she’s already diving right in to her service working with volunteer outreach, completing wildlife camera checks, and helping develop this year’s Outstanding Wilds Learning (OWL) program. 

At the edge of the dunes in White Sands National Monument Park, Joseph Montoya feverishly uncovers evidence of beasts who used to roam the American Southwest. These tracks have lasted the test of time, and upon Montoya’s discoveries, they are now a part of learning resources for visitors of all kinds.

Laurel Mundy recently finished a three-month AmeriCorps term at Denali National Park & Preserve with the Geoscientists-in-the-Parks Program.  

In Chelsea Sullivan’s Public Affairs internship with the National Park Service’s Office of Communications, she gained an impressive array of experience handling all manner of NPS communications duties.

Cooper Sheldon is currently serving in a unique position with the Stewards Individual Placement Program as a VISTA. Cooper is currently serving with the Heritage Initiative from the Calumet Collaborative Project in Chicago, IL and is earning credits towards his Graduate Degree with Michigan Tech University. 

AmeriCorps VISTA Carlos Naranjo has had a busy first two months of national service. Carlos is serving with North East Trees, a nonprofit in Los Angeles, CA that is working with the local communities to bring nature back to their urban environment. 

Mariah Radue, at Yosemite National Park had a productive and meaningful term with the Geoscientist-in-the-Parks (GIP) program. Her primary projects were incredibly valuable to the park as she was focused on estimating long-term erosion rates in Yosemite Valley.

Lei De Vera, a current Community Volunteer Ambassador (CVA) serving at the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area hosted a volunteer opportunity with The University of Nevada for the entirety of Spring Break.