The year 2020 hit hard for just about everyone, but this summer Yellowstone’s Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) picked up right where they left off.

On a Thursday in early July it wasn’t hard to spot the yellow helmets in Madison Campground among all the set up campsites. The six yellow helmets belonged to this year’s YCC members, just a few of the hundreds that applied. The group of 15-18 years old were up early from a night of camping to get started on installing bear-proof storage boxes.

Yellowstone Conservation Corps members pose at a bear-proof storage box they installed.

At the start of the year, 985 bear-proof storage boxes had been installed in campgrounds in the park. These boxes improve visitor safety and prevent bears from accessing human food. Preventing bears from obtaining human food is one of the top priorities of Yellowstone’s wildlife managers. Bears that gain access to human food eventually become more aggressive towards humans, and may need to be removed from the population.

With the 1,907 campsites scattering the park, 922 campsites still need bear boxes, and the YCC are not slowing down! Yellowstone Forever has been able to fund the installation of these bear boxes thanks to generous donations from our supporters. That funding helps make sure all the proper equipment and material is provided from set-up to completion.

Some of the tools used to install bear boxes.

Seeing the bear boxes at first glance, one wouldn’t realize how much manual labor goes behind installing them. These boxes weigh up to 400 pounds! Though considering they’re meant to be bear-proof, 400 pounds does seem pretty necessary.

For a lot of the teens, being a part of YCC was a chance for a lot of firsts.

“This is my first time doing everything! First time on an airplane, first time seeing a bison, first time camping…,” said David.

YCC members carry an almost-completed bear box, all 400 pounds!

Many of the teens had never been to Yellowstone before, let alone a national park. As for why they all wanted to join in the first place, they had a lot to say.

Amaya credits YCC for bringing her to Yellowstone for the first time.

“I want to be a park ranger, so I thought this would be a good start,” Caroline said. She wasn’t the only one either, most of the teens hope to continue service for national parks as a career.

“I like knowing I’m helping better my environment! But I also realized I really like doing this ’cause it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and not many people get to say they live in Yellowstone,” Amaya said. “It’s my first time here, and I wouldn’t have ever considered coming if it wasn’t for YCC. I definitely learned to step outside of my comfort zone.”

It was just their second day out on the job, and you would think they’ve been in the parks all year with how much information they’d retained.

“I learned so much that I wouldn’t have known without being introduced to it through YCC! I learned about geysers, park construction, and how the park makes decisions based on the trails and animals,” said Brodie.

He went to Yellowstone for the first time on his birthday last fall, noting he fell in love with it and just wanted to see how he could help.

Brodie shows off his YCC patch and uniform.

Without a cell phone in sight, hearing about how much these teens are eager to help their environment was refreshing.

They took being off-the-grid to the next level, and for a cause well worth it. As their work day came to an end, they replenished with cupcakes and David recounted his first bison sighting. Looking out the bus window, he exclaimed at these large creatures, “Oh my gosh, he’s a B-boy! Look at him!”

The YCC members celebrate the successful installation of a new bear-proof storage box!

Both the Yellowstone Youth Conservation Corps and installation of bear-proof storage boxes are only possible because of generous donations from Yellowstone Forever’s members. Consider making a donation to Yellwostone Forever today to support the important programs!

The post Yellowstone Youth Conservation Corps Gets Back to Work appeared first on Yellowstone Forever.

Yellowstone is a fly-fishing paradise. Nowhere in the world are there so many public rivers, lakes and streams found in such a small area. If you’ve never taken in the beauty of Yellowstone from the edge of a river, stream or lake, this might be the summer to start. Here are 10 tips for planning your fishing trip to Yellowstone National Park!

Sunset fishing on Yellowstone Lake. NPS/Neal Herbert.

1. Check the time and date.
Yellowstone National Park has a fishing season, meaning that outside of the season fishing is not allowed. The season begins the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend (usually the last weekend in May) and extends through the first Sunday in November. There are exceptions noted in regional regulations. Fishing is allowed daily from sunrise to sunset. Fishing with an artificial light is prohibited.

2. Get a permit.
A Yellowstone National Park fishing permit is required for all in-park fishing. A state-issued permit (i.e. Montana, Wyoming or Idaho) is not a substitute for a Yellowstone National Park permit. Permits are $40 for 3 days, $55 for 7 days, and $75 for a whole season. You can purchase a permit in advance online or at a participating local vendor.

A fisherman on the Madison River at sunrise. NPS/Jacob Frank

3. Know your fish.
Yellowstone is home to seven game fish: brook, brown, cutthroat, lake and rainbow trout, along with grayling and whitefish. Before fishing you should be able to identify each species, as regulations vary for each. The park’s fishing regulations guide provides images to help you identify. All native fish, including the cutthroat trout, are catch-and-release only. If you catch an invasive Lake Trout in Yellowstone Lake, it must be killed. Knowing which fish live in which bodies of water will help you identify quickly when you reach that exciting “fish-on” moment!

4. Come prepared.
Never fish in Yellowstone without bear spray, rain gear, sun block, sunglasses, insect repellent, and a hat. Know how to use your bear spray, and brush up on bear safety guidelines before you head out.

Fishing in Yellowstone Lake from motorboat. NPS/Diane Renkin

5. Get involved in conservation.
Anglers have a unique role to play in the conservation of native fish species in Yellowstone National Park. Not only can anglers help reduce the invasive lake trout population in Yellowstone Lake through fishing, but they can help spread the word about the Native Fish Conservation Program. Read up on the work Yellowstone National Park is doing to conserve the native cutthroat trout.

6. Trust a guide.
If you’re looking to fish for the first time, or even if you consider yourself experienced, a lesson or guide can help you get the most of your time on the waters. Each summer the Yellowstone Forever Institute offers fly-fishing programs for those looking for in-depth instruction. Or check out this list of approved guides.

A pair of anglers fly fishing the Madison River. YF/Matt Ludin

7. Pick your water.
Whether fly-fishing or boat fishing, there are plenty of options to choose from. Craig Mathews, owner of Blue Ribbon Flies in West Yellowstone, Montana, says if you’re headed out in May or June, the first river to clear from snowmelt is the Firehole River, which is often the only river in fishable condition at the start of the season. Later in June offers expanded possibilities, when the best places to fish include the Gibbon and Madison Rivers. Small streams such as Straight, Glen, Indian and others offer fine angling for beginners. The second week of June sees the Gibbon and Madison Rivers clear of snowmelt, and the ice comes off lakes like Yellowstone, Grebe and Trout. August is the best time for fishing lakes in Yellowstone—particularly backcountry lakes, as the biting flies have thinned out. All rivers will fish well in August, except the Madison and Firehole Rivers, which may warm up too much due to a combined effect of warm daytime temperatures and thermal activity on the Firehole.

8. Plan ahead if you are taking kids.
Children under 16 do not need a permit if they are under the direct supervision of an adult with a permit. Or if children under 16 want to fish without adult supervision, they can get a free permit signed by a responsible adult. Plan to take younger children to areas where waters are calm. Recommendations include the Gibbon River at Virginia Meadows or other meadows; Solfatara Creek near Norris campground. Aster Creek near Lewis Falls; the Lewis Lake shoreline; and Yellowstone Lake along Gull Point Drive or at Sand Point, or the Yellowstone Lake shoreline near Grant Marina.

Young visitor casting a line into Lewis Lake. NPS/Neal Herbert

9. Get a permit if you’re boating.
Boating season operates during the same season as fishing. All vessels, including float tubes popular with river anglers, require a permit. Every boat must have a life vest for each passenger, along with an emergency sound device like a whistle or horn. All boats must be checked by National Park Service inspectors to ensure that they are free of aquatic invasive species before entering park waters.

10. Take a fly fishing class with the Yellowstone Forever Institute.
Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced angler, Yellowstone offers incredible fly-fishing opportunities throughout the park! Based out of the Lamar Buffalo Ranch, we have a couple of excellent fly fishing programs with available this summer.

Beginner’s Fly Fishing | July 11-14
Fly Fishing Yellowstone’s Backcountry | August 11-13

Beginner’s Fly Fishing program participants headed to the Gibbon River. YF/Matt Ludin

Fly Fishing Yellowstone National Park: An Insider’s Guide

Purchase

The Yellowstone Fly-Fishing Guide – with Craig Mathews

Purchase

The post 10 Tips for Planning Your Yellowstone Fishing Trip appeared first on Yellowstone Forever.

Trout Lake Trail in the Lamar Valley climbs 150 feet from the Northeast Entrance Road to a pristine, high-elevation lake. It’s a popular trail for people looking for a short day hike, or those looking to catch a glimpse of the spawning native Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout. But the bright helmets are not a common sight.

They belonged to seven teenagers, one youth leader and three seasonal rangers — all hard at work with the Yellowstone Youth Conservation Corps (YCC).

YCC is a work-based education program that brings youth from around the country to Yellowstone for one month during the summer. Young people ages 15-18 apply for the program, and 62 are chosen to live, learn and work in the park. The program is in its 30th year.

The program receives funding from Yellowstone Forever through generous corporate and individual donations.

The teens hard at work on the trail hailed from across the U.S., including Iowa, Georgia, Texas, Ohio and Utah. And for many, the opportunity to work in Yellowstone is a dream come true.

Sage from Georgia was chosen to join YCC after applying for three years in a row.

“I was so excited when the email came in. I was yelling and screaming!” said Sage.

For Elena from Ohio, it was a chance to take her family’s pastime of camping to the next level.

“My parents are really jealous,” Elena said.

Work, Learn, Play, and Grow – the YCC motto

The crew members were completing some much-needed trail maintenance on the path to Trout Lake — installing two water bars and transplanting vegetation to decrease off trail travel.

“Basically, [water bars] redirect water so there’s no erosion on the trail,” said Bobby, one of the seasonal rangers leading the crew.

The youth were shoveling dirt, digging trenches, and collecting rocks. And doing it all with a smile.

“It’s not just work, too. I’ve learned way more than in the classroom,” said Jonah from Iowa.

Alongside the advertised benefits of education and a chance to live in Yellowstone, YCC has an extra perk — or challenge. There’s little to no service in many locations in Yellowstone National Park, and the teens must leave their phones behind.

When asked whether they missed their cellphones, they were hesitant.

“It’s nice to have a break from the real world and tune into the people around me,” said one teen. “If I can keep this busy, I won’t even need to check it!”

Allison Newberg, YCC Co-Director with the National Park Service, said that by week two the teens are even more disconnected. Many choose not to look at their phone at all when given the opportunity.

“YCC is an opportunity to inspire the next generation of conservation leaders,” said Justin Barth, Senior Manager of Foundation Relations with Yellowstone Forever. “These are young people who may have never had the opportunity to learn and work in Yellowstone if it weren’t for the funding provided by Yellowstone Forever’s generous donors.”

It’s not all work for the YCC crew. Their time working on trails, installing bear boxes, and completing other important projects is supplemented by lessons in the classroom and plenty of time to explore the park.

On this day, the teens got to pick a topic for their educational programming later in the afternoon that particularly interested them: career opportunities with the National Park Service.

But before they could return to camp in Lamar Valley for that session, they had some work to finish up.

Ongoing Funding

“You know what time it is? I think it’s WAM time!” said Newberg.

The teens laughed, reached into their packs, and pulled out their water.

WAM: Water Appreciation Moment. When you’re working as hard as these young people, a reminder is sometimes necessary to take a moment and drink some water.

As they finished up their work for the day, they went over what they’d need to do tomorrow to complete the water bars. Bobby pointed to some of the spots that needed leveling. He showed Isaiah from Texas a trench that still needed some work with the ax.

“With the ax?” said Isaiah, grinning. “I called it!”

——-

The Youth Conservation Corps relies on funding from Yellowstone Forever to continue providing the opportunity for teens across the country to experience and protect Yellowstone.

You can help provide the support to continue this transformative program by donating to Yellowstone Forever today.

Photos: YF/Matt Ludin

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Did you know that Yellowstone’s roads can get up to 10 feet of snow coverage every winter? It takes some heavy equipment to clear those roads. The video below puts you in the drivers’ seat with the National Park Service snow removal crew!

The post Insider Look: Clearing the Snow in Yellowstone appeared first on Yellowstone Forever.

Yellowstone Forever is a proud, longtime supporter of the Yellowstone Youth Conservation Corps program. Learn more about other youth programs in Yellowstone.

Here are just a handful of the projects YCC crews accomplished this year:

• Installed 80 bear-proof food storage boxes in park campgrounds; removed 3 outdated boxes
• Built 461 bumper log structures to protect thermal features and stream beds from vehicle damage
• Social Science – Conducted 130 hours of visitor use surveys
• Worked on 8 different trails across Yellowstone
  • Brushed 40,460 feet of trail for hikers and stock animals
  • Rehabbed 1,060 feet of trail; built 50 feet of new tread
• Worked on other projects including vegetation management, maintenance, adopt-a-highway garbage clean up, and firewood cutting and distribution

YCC crew members building bumper logs at Boiling River

YCC crew member conducting social science survey on Fairy Falls Trail

Crew creating bumper logs at Boiling River

2018 session 1 staff and crew

Photo Credits: NPS / Jacob W. Frank

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What led you to the National Park Service and Yellowstone?

I’m originally from northern New Mexico, and got my start in the Park Service working seasonally in Yellowstone in 2016. In college, I studied Mandarin at the University of New Mexico. I first went to China in 2011 and learned very quickly how much I appreciate and admire the culture. When I got back to the U.S. in 2014, I knew I wanted to do something with Chinese-American relations. I found a job at Old Faithful working as an interpretive ranger for the first season of the Mandarin interpretive program in the Division of Resource Education and Youth Programs. The position combined my love of outdoor spaces with my passion for the Chinese language and culture. I knew when I left my seasonal job that I wanted to come back year-round, and I got lucky the opportunity came so quickly.

What is park interpretation, and what service does it provide?

Interpretation is finding a way to emotionally connect park visitors to some element of our park, whether it’s history, culture, or wildlife. It’s especially important to connect with them on their terms. I have my passions about the park, but if I can find out what visitors are interested in and infuse that with my own interests, I can create lasting memories. Helping people find an emotional connection to the park makes them care about parks, and when they care about parks they are more likely to stand up and say they want to continue preserving them.

What does a day in the life of an interpretive ranger look like in summer?

One of the fun things about being a ranger is that every day is different, especially in the summertime. One day I might be giving an evening talk by the fireside; the next day I’m out managing an animal jam. We have a varying mix of visitors too—from international visitors coming for their first time, to locals who are coming back for the 20th time. Every interaction is different, and the needs of the visitors are different. That makes every day new—I wake up each morning wondering what the day will bring.

What is the value of having park rangers who speak Mandarin?

We receive a huge number of Chinese visitors and that number has been growing each year. It’s an exciting experience for them to, all of a sudden, have someone speaking their language—it helps them feel welcomed. Their worldly experience is very different from ours. There is a need for interpreting the park’s resources to help them understand what they’re seeing, and the meaning of preservation. I think it’s one of our greatest opportunities, to share our mission with a country that is currently developing its own national park system.

Interpretive rangers play an important role in managing wildlife jams. How does this support keep visitors safe?

I’ve lost count of how many wildlife jams I managed in my last season—they’re a daily occurrence. What Yellowstone Forever does to support the funding of wildlife rangers is so important, both for the safety of the wildlife and the visitors. People are often so excited to finally be here and see the animals they’ve dreamt about seeing that it can be easy to forget about safety. Having a ranger on the scene significantly reduces the risk of a negative encounter. It also gives visitors a chance to talk to someone who can explain what they’re seeing and what the animal is doing—and how to view wildlife safely in the future. Yellowstone offers the rare opportunity to view wild animals and birds in their natural habitats, and helping visitors safely enjoy that amazing experience is important to ensuring that the same experience will be available to future generations.

This interview was originally published in the Summer 2018 issue of Yellowstone Quarterly.

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How did you come to work for Yellowstone?

I grew up in Vermont and expected to live there for the rest of my life, but thought it would be wise to spend a summer in a completely different environment. I got a work-study job in Bozeman, Montana, and later discovered a seasonal job with the Young Adult Conservation Corps in Yellowstone. I worked with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and we’d spend the whole day on Yellowstone Lake—that’s when I really fell in love with the park. After that, I worked for the Fish and Wildlife Service in Colorado, California, Washington, Montana, and Idaho, until the fisheries biologist position in Yellowstone became available.

What challenges are facing fisheries in Yellowstone?

In Yellowstone Lake—my area of focus—lake trout predation is the biggest challenge for the lake’s native fish, Yellowstone cutthroat trout. Lake trout aren’t native to the lake, and because cutthroat trout didn’t evolve with other fish predators, they have no defense strategy. Lake trout are super-efficient predators and they can easily decimate the cutthroat population.

Why are native fish so important to the Yellowstone ecosystem?

I was fortunate to work here when the cutthroat population was extremely healthy, so I remember what it was like to see thousands of them running up a stream, or to see grizzly bears fishing along the lake. Yellowstone’s cutthroat trout are one way the aquatic ecosystem connects with the terrestrial, and it’s important to do all that we can to preserve the integrity of these connections. On top of that, Yellowstone cutthroat are a beautiful fish, and they’re easy to catch. Not only are they important to the environment, but they also provide an opportunity for people to personally connect with the ecosystem.

What efforts is the National Park Service involved in to preserve native fish in Yellowstone Lake?

We’re removing lake trout from the population to give cutthroat the ability to rebuild their numbers and approach population levels that we had in the 1980s—which were much higher than today. We utilize crews that directly remove the lake trout through gillnetting. And with the levels of effort we’ve been exerting over the last few years, we’re seeing a substantial decrease in the adult lake trout out there. However, we’re not able to gillnet all the lake trout out of Yellowstone Lake, so we’ve been researching alternative methods for removing them. The last few years we’ve been working with graduate students on ideas for eradicating lake trout eggs and fry from spawning areas, as well as using telemetry to inform the strategy of our gillnetters.

How has Yellowstone Forever supported the Native Fish Conservation Program?

In addition to providing funding for the program, Yellowstone Forever has been hugely supportive in giving people the opportunity to help preserve the native fisheries through education and by simply spreading the word. You can’t achieve public support without education.

What can park visitors do to help preserve Yellowstone’s native fish?

Go fishing! Visitors can keep as many lake trout as they catch. They’re pretty tasty when cooked—especially the smaller ones—or you can even try canning them. Just keep in mind cutthroat trout are catch-and-release only. Get out on the lake and catch some lake trout!
Yellowstone Forever is proud to support the park’s Native Fish Conservation Program. Learn more.
This article was originally published in the Fall 2017 issue of Yellowstone Quarterly.

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Patrolling the backcountry, monitoring trail activity, and conducting scientific field work all require support from stock animals. This is why park corral facilities are so critical. With the additional help from these dedicated volunteers, corral improvements have made rangers’ work and stock operations safer and more efficient.

This year, our volunteer team headed out for work at the Stephens Creek corrals (near the park’s North Entrance). The project involved demolition, digging, welding, hauling large posts and planks of wood—strenuous work to say the least! The reward of working together towards a common goal, while giving back to Yellowstone National Park, keeps the project going year after year.

We are so thankful and honored to work with this dedicated group of veterans, park staff, and volunteers. See them in action in the photos below!

The majority of images here were provided by project leader and founder of Warfighter Outfitters, Brett Miller. Read our interview with Brett about his own experience as a disabled veteran and the impact these Yellowstone trips have on his fellow veterans. The corral projects are funded each year by ARCH Venture Partners through a grant to Yellowstone Forever.

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