National parks are one of the treasures of the US, containing some of the rarest wildlife and most preserved landscapes in the country. However, for many people, supporting your national park is much more than simply visiting and going on vacation there. This guide will show you some of the best ways that you can explore these amazing places around your own responsibilities.
Take a Tour
Even if you cannot give up a lot of time to dedicate to the improvement of the park through volunteering or working, it is just as beneficial to explore these protected spaces by taking a tour. This will help to give you a perspective of the spectacular surroundings and all that it has to offer, from the spectacular nature reserves to the educational opportunities. This will give you a direct opportunity to experience the reserves yourself and see what you are working to protect. You can find lodging in Bryce Canyon, and other national parks, with both hotel room stays and RV campgrounds; allowing you to stay only minutes from the greatest sights in the area. This can give you the ultimate way to explore during both the day and night, allowing you to take advantage of shuttle buses to the best viewpoints accessible to the public, and give you an immersive experience that will make you even more passionate about exploring and protecting your local environments.
Volunteer
One of the best ways that you can explore national parks is to volunteer in one of them, as this will give you a first-hand experience of how they are run as well as giving you the opportunity to contribute to its operations. The National Park Service runs many volunteer schemes. During these, you will be able to help improve the trails, remove waste to preserve the natural beauty of the area, and contribute to visitor education in order to teach people how they can also protect the famous sights that the NPS preserve. In fact, whatever your skills, there is a volunteer scheme for your specific talents, with creative Artists in Residence programs, as well as Community Volunteer programs for graduates who want to spend one year exploring the parks and all that they have to offer. To apply for a volunterering position, you can find a list of updated opportunities on the government volunteer website, or you can contact your local NPS branch.
Work
However, if you want to earn money while contributing to the service’s success, you should look for work opportunities in your local area. Whether you want to educate others about the importance of protecting the environment or work as a seasonal ranger to explore the natural attractions for the summer, there are many opportunities for people who want to discover their national parks for a longer period of time. National parks are run as a federal service, and you can find out more about the application process and what skills employers are looking for by accessing the NPS’s employment pages.