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Volunteer Ambassadors
Grand Teton National Park relies on the time, dedication, and expertise of volunteers to help steward one of the most dynamic landscapes in the country. Across front-country, backcountry, river, roadside, and winter settings, volunteers play a critical role in visitor safety, wildlife protection, and responsible recreation.
The Foundation's support enables these programs to provide vital hands-on support that enhances visitor experience while protecting the park’s natural and cultural resources.
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Wildlife Brigade
For over a decade, the Wildlife Brigade has been Grand Teton's frontline response to the intersection of people and wildlife, deploying experienced volunteers to manage roadside jams, reduce bear attractants, and promote the ethical viewing practices that keep both visitors and animals safe.
5 PROGRAMS
12 Months
800+ People
41,622 HOURS
Current Grand Teton Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers are essential to caring for Grand Teton National Park. From busy lakeshores to remote backcountry trails, rivers, roadsides, and winter landscapes, trained volunteers help keep visitors safe, wildlife protected, and recreation responsible. Their hands-on support strengthens the park’s ability to serve millions of visitors while preserving the natural and cultural resources that make the Tetons extraordinary.
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Wildlife Brigade
The Foundation's support helped start the Wildlife Brigade over a decade ago. This is a team of experienced volunteers who promote ethical wildlife viewing practices, assist with people and traffic management during roadside wildlife jams, patrol developed areas to look for unsecured food and other bear attractants, and educate visitors about bear safety, proper food storage, and other resource-sensitive activities.
The program supports two to three seasonal staff, up to twenty-five volunteers, public service announcements on bear safety, and the development of science-based communication materials to promote safer and ethical wildlife viewing. Its development and integration into park operations since 2007 has been critical to grizzly and black bear stewardship as both bear and visitor numbers have increased.
Wildlife Brigade Stories:
String Lake “Lakers” Volunteers
String Lake continues to be a popular destination for boating, swimming, and hiking access. The combination of easy access for large numbers of visitors picnicking, swimming, and hiking in an area of excellent bear habitat makes String Lake a particularly challenging park destination to manage. Since their inception in 2017, the Foundation's support has enabled the String Lakers to become a proven, high-impact volunteer presence—combining responsible recreation messaging, wildlife safety, and real-time visitor engagement to reduce conflicts and protect sensitive resources.
Snake River Ambassadors
With Foundation funding, the Snake River Ambassadors program supports trained volunteers who engage river users with preventative safety messaging, wildlife awareness, and river stewardship along the Snake River corridor. Integrated with river rangers, ambassadors provide a consistent, front-line presence at access points—welcoming boaters, assessing skills and equipment, and sharing section-specific guidance that helps visitors make safe, informed decisions before launching.
Snake River Ambassadors also support the implementation of a loaner PFD program at popular water access points throughout the park, ensuring visitors have access to essential safety resources.This proactive approach reduces river rescues, protects natural resources, and enhances visitor experiences while keeping the Snake River healthy and accessible.
Nordic Ambassadors
The Nordic Ambassadors program which sustains a corps of volunteers who support safe, respectful, and wildlife-aware winter recreation along the Teton Park Road—one of the most spectacular Nordic skiing corridors in the country and a valued community asset.
Based at Taggart Lake Trailhead, the park’s primary winter access point and the site of the Reimagining Taggart Lake improvement project, Nordic Ambassadors serve as a visible, on-the-ground presence where visitor contact is highest. The Foundation's funding allows volunteers engage skiers and other winter users with safety guidance, trail etiquette, and wildlife awareness, helping visitors navigate changing conditions while protecting sensitive resources.
Nordic Ambassador Stories:
Backcountry Volunteers
Backcountry volunteers help protect Grand Teton National Park by placing trained volunteers where they matter most. These dedicated individuals patrol backcountry trails, staff remote ranger cabins, and assist visitors with permits and trip planning at the Jenny Lake Ranger Station. With the Foundation's support, they are the first, and sometimes only, connection to a ranger in the backcountry, playing a vital role in visitor safety, education, and the long-term protection of park resources.
