Yellowstone National Park's geology team has removed over 20,000 items of trash from the park's geysers and hot springs areas in 2026, according to recent reports. This effort includes 280 hats, along with a variety of unusual objects such as camera lenses, jewelry, baby pacifiers, and even Pokémon cards. In addition, the team has collected more than 5,600 rocks and sticks from these sensitive areas. The clean-up operations are aimed at preserving the park's ecosystem and protecting its unique hydrothermal features, which are both scientifically valuable and visually striking. Hydrothermal areas, like the geysers and hot springs, are extremely sensitive to foreign materials. Items left behind can cause long-term damage by clogging water flow, blocking runoff channels, or introducing harmful chemicals and sediment. A well-known example is Morning Glory Pool in the Upper Geyser Basin, which changed color in the 20th century due to trash and debris thrown into it by visitors. These changes can be permanent, altering the natural beauty and function of these geothermal features. The geology team is trained in "safe hydrothermal navigation," allowing them to conduct clean-ups without risking damage to the environment. Rather than simply discarding the collected items, the team tries to repurpose them when possible. For example, they plan to clean and donate any wearable hats to local organizations at the end of the season. The team has also collected $18 in lost change and paper money this year. Among the more unusual items found were six Invisalign retainers, fake nails, floss picks, and an inhaler. Five Apple AirPods were recovered, suggesting that one may still be missing. The team has compiled a list of their favorite finds, including seven instant or Polaroid pictures, six Yellowstone pressed pennies, four Pokémon cards and figurines, and a tiny (2-inch) copy of The Vampire Diaries. These items highlight the diversity of what visitors have left behind. The geology team is urging visitors to "stash your trash" and keep any loose items secured before visiting the hot springs and geysers. This advice aims to prevent accidental loss or damage to these fragile and irreplaceable natural features.