Yellowstone National Park’s Geology Program announced a record‑setting cleanup season, removing more than 20,000 pieces of trash from its iconic hot springs and geysers. Physical Science Technician Margery Price reported that the team has already pulled over 280 hats, 54 camera lens caps, 17 baby pacifiers and a tiny copy of The Vampire Diaries from the park’s delicate hydrothermal features.
Why the cleanup matters
Foreign material can clog vents, alter water flow and pollute the unique bacterial and algal formations that give Yellowstone’s pools their vivid colors. “No matter the type of debris, it needs to be removed,” Price wrote, noting past incidents such as the color change of Morning Glory Pool in the twentieth century after visitors tossed trash into the pool.
What was found
- 280 hats – including a FIFA 2026 World Cup cap, a “COWBOY HAT” baseball cap and a Roblox bucket hat.
- $18 in assorted coins – U.S., pesos, yen, euros and Canadian dollars.
- 5 AirPods and earbuds, 3 Delta flight pins, 1 inhaler, 3 golf tees, 1 Uno card.
- 54 camera lens caps, 47 hair elastics, 17 baby pacifiers, 20 hotel key cards.
- 42 pencils, 36 pairs of sunglasses, 6 Invisalign retainers, 15 fake nails.
- 1 lump of glittery pink children’s slime, 8 match‑box cars, 3 bouncy balls.
- 6 Junior Ranger badges, 22 assorted figurines (including a tie‑dye fidget spinner, two rubber ducks and a 2010 McDonald’s toy).
- 7 instant/Polaroid photos, 6 pressed pennies, 4 Pokémon cards, 1 tiny copy of The Vampire Diaries.
All wearable hats will be washed and donated to local organizations after the season ends.
How visitors can help
Price urges guests to “stash your trash” by keeping wrappers, tissues and other wind‑blown items in pockets, bags or, better yet, a trash can before heading into hydrothermal areas. Simple stewardship protects the park’s natural wonders for future generations.
Historical context
Since the 1970s, staff have sometimes partially drained features like Morning Glory Pool to retrieve debris safely. Today, trained technicians navigate the hot pools using specialized equipment, ensuring both visitor safety and the preservation of Yellowstone’s unique ecosystems.
Original reporting: Buckrail (Jackson WY) — read the source article.
