Yosemite Getting Annual “Facelift” This Week

Yosemite, Ca — The annual five day “Yosemite Facelift,” a massive effort to pick up litter in the park, is underway.

Park Spokesperson Scott Gediman says that last year around 3,000 Yosemite Facelift Volunteers donated 18,335 hours and collected 42,330 lbs. of trash.

?It has really evolved into a huge event,? says Gediman. ?We have everyone from Yosemite Valley school kids to rock climbers, people are literally coming from all over the world to help clean up Yosemite.?

The annual event is organized by the Yosemite Climbing Association to help clean the park after the long and busy summer season. Volunteers are needed to pick up littler along roadways, the river corridor, on trails, near climbing routes, and in parking, camping and lodging areas.

Interested participants should sign up at the booth in front of the Yosemite Valley Visitors Center at 8am on days they wish to participate. Crew leaders will be at the booth to organize work groups and hand out trash bags, gloves, and litter sticks. Trash must be returned to the booth by 5pm to be weighed and sorted.

The event began Wednesday and will conclude on Sunday. Volunteers participating will receive free admission to the park.

Written by BJ Hansen