BACK TO MAIN ARTICLE PAGEYellowstone National Park Volunteers:
Celebrate 10,000
Appreciation Ceremonies: July 2008
By Dan Woog
On a beautiful crisp and scenic weekend in July, Robin Tauck with several representatives of public/private entities and National Park Service officials from America’s #1 National Park gathered to honor Tauck’s commitment to service.
If all the Tauck guests who have volunteered at Yellowstone National Park through our program were gathered together, they’d form the ninth largest city in Wyoming!
Our 10,000 Tauck volunteers are not all together, of course – but it’s taken only six years to reach that milestone. Through efforts at Tauck, the governor of Wyoming sent letters to all of our 2008 volunteers with sincere appreciation. In typical Tauck fashion, as soon as the appreciation ceremony was over, Robin and team members jumped right into work … for four days at the Park.
We didn’t single out our 10,000th volunteer by name, because preserving and beautifying Yellowstone is a group project. But the occasion was important to everyone– particularly Clinton Scott, who was our very first volunteer (at Mesa Verde National Park). Along with Robin, Clinton spoke to the Tauck groups on site at Yellowstone, describing passionately the joy of seeing places the traveling public does not often see, while doing meaningful work that is otherwise known as “deferred maintenance” by Park Service.
The National Park Service, greatly appreciates the work that 10,000 guests have done. The service faces a serious annual shortfall of over a million dollars, and visitors who donate time and energy make an enormous difference. Our guests alone, have restored over 50 historic structures, walkways – and the famous Fishing Bridge over the Yellowstone River – visual and significant upkeep, that inspires others.
“This is a voluntary program but easily available: guests choose whether to participate or not. The itinerary is very tight, but we make it work.” Our volunteers often rise at 6 a.m., following a long day – but they do it with pride! Asked if they’d do it again, a resounding 97 percent say “Yes”.
Robin’s appearance in July was a complete surprise to many. Friends and supporters were thrilled to chat and work with her and the team – and to scrape the cabins at the Old Faithful Lodge area– along with the Deputy Park Superintendent. They were also very appreciative of the special gift to the Ranger Fund. “Every time my groups arrive and we walk to the Old Faithful Inn, the nearby trails, rails and buildings absolutely glisten,” one director said. “Everyone feels great pride for this.”
Two park men – Herb Dawson and Bruce Fladmark – have led the program for years: Bruce – a retiree ranger – oversees every group. Herb is his partner at the Park; his 10-year-old granddaughter, has helped Tauck volunteers paint, stain and weed for 4 years, spoke at the July ceremony. “It was very touching,” Robin said. “And her 8-year-old sister has started volunteering now too.” In 2009, as the program moves to Grand Teton National Park, Bruce and his trailer will move right along. The men were presented plaques and Grand Tetons was provided a 2008 $90,000 Tauck grant to restore White Grass Ranch, the “oldest dude ranch in America” which will become the Western Center for Historical Preservation in 2010.
A few years ago, the Tauck Foundation contributed $100,000 to help refurbish Artist Point, the most famous viewpoint; now with improved access in parking, overlook facilities and visitor overload. Yellowstone did a spectacular job improving the area, making safety improvements and easing the traffic flow. And, at the July ceremony, Robin presented a $10,000 check to the Yellowstone Ranger Fund to honor 10,000 Volunteers. The donation will restore a YNP backcountry cabin used by ranger patrols.
After nearly a lifetime of going to the parks and developing National Park programs, Robin called the 10,000th volunteer ceremony “inspiring, busy, and simply heart-warming. It brought people together in a remarkable way.” Just as the guest-volunteer program, it was simply great to also be “working” in and for our national parks.