By Gabby Sherwood, Communications Associate
Within Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) lies a quiet yet unstoppable force that keeps trails clear, wildlife protected, and visitors inspired: volunteers.
With a Volunteers-in-Parks (VIP) program that ranks 4th highest for recurring volunteers across the National Park Service (NPS), Rocky would not be where it is today without its volunteers who dedicate thousands of hours of their time and energy to park stewardship.
In 2025, RMNP Alpine Bloom Crew received the NPS Regional Excellence in Volunteerism Innovation Award, and RMNP Volunteer Program Manager Sarah Corning was named the national recipient of the NPS Excellence in Volunteer Management Award.
Alpine Bloom Crew
The Alpine Bloom Crew is an expert team of volunteers dedicated to studying and preserving the park’s infamous alpine tundra. Made up of former park rangers, professors, authors, and photographers, they have over 100 years of collective experience in vegetation and research between them.
Supported by Rocky Mountain Conservancy, the Alpine Bloom Crew is continuing the work of the Alpine Community Science Project by collecting data at a historic tundra research site and contributing to a long-term alpine plant phenology monitoring program. The Conservancy extends a special thank you to the Simcha Rudolph Charitable fund for generous support of this project.
Sarah Corning
As the Volunteer Program Manager for one of the largest volunteer programs in the National Park Service, Corning is a strong advocate for volunteer innovation and has worked tirelessly to improve safety, efficiency, and compliance within the RMNP volunteer program.
In 2024, Corning:
- Introduced background checks and revamped uniforms
- Aligned volunteer positions with park policy with clarified role descriptions
- Onboarded 113 new volunteers and 300 returning volunteers
Corning has ensured that hundreds of volunteers feel supported, valued, and qualified to safely and effectively give their time to the park. “While Rocky is one of the most visited parks in the U.S., the size of our staff is not large,” said Corning. “We are grateful to be supported by volunteers, whose skills and interests compliment the work we do!”
How Rocky Mountain Conservancy Supports Volunteers
Rocky Mountain Conservancy helps meet the needs of the VIP program by funding:
- Uniforms
- Staffing needs
- Equipment and supplies
- Volunteer housing
- Volunteer recognition events
- 2025 seasonal VIP coordinator position
Make sure to thank the park volunteers you cross paths with. Their commitment is not only invaluable, but essential to building capacity for programs and projects in Rocky.