Yosemite Conservancy Newsletter | October 2021

Photo © Alison Walton

Recent News from Yosemite

• As of late last month, reservations are no longer required to visit Yosemite.
• Thanks to the 771 volunteers who collected 3,361 pounds of trash during Yosemite Facelift, the park's annual clean up event, which took place September 22-26.
• Tioga Road has reopened after a temporary storm closure on October 7, but use caution — icy conditions persist. Glacier Point Road remains closed but is expected to reopen.
• If you're visiting the park this month, please take extra steps to store food properly and protect Yosemite's bears, who are most active (and hungry) in autumn as they fatten up for winter.

Photo © Kendra Jones

Thank You, Volunteers: Part Two

Weeds, seeds, and...beaver dams? Check out what our hardworking volunteers accomplished during this summer's work week project in Ackerson Meadow, a newly-protected part of Yosemite. From ecological restoration to visitor information assistance, we're thankful to all our volunteers for their dedication to the park!

Photo courtesy of NPS

Chinese Laundry Building Ribbon Cutting

Conservancy President Frank Dean and Yosemite Superintendent Cicely Muldoon took part in a formal dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony on October 1 to open the restored Chinese Laundry Building in Wawona. Originally built in 1917, the building now features an exhibit about its history and the many contributions of Chinese immigrants to the park. Thank you to our generous donors for supporting this project to honor and share Yosemite's Chinese history. Thanks also Ranger Yenyen Chan, who has been researching and sharing Chinese history in the park since 1993. Check out recent news coverage from the Fresno Bee on our website, and visit the Yosemite History Center in Wawona on your next trip to see the exhibit for yourself.

Photo © Parks Project

Partner Spotlight: Parks Project

"Leave it better than you found it" is not your typical apparel company slogan, but that's part of what makes us proud and grateful partners of Parks Project. They've contributed over $1,500,000 to help fund vital projects in national parks around the US, including Yosemite, and offer including unisex apparel, gifts, camping gear and more. Get your order in soon to take advantage of our first come, first served discount code: YOSEMITE21.

Photo © Seamus O'Heath

It's "Rocktober" — Join us in Celebrating Climbing History

"Before the first free ascent of the Dawn Wall on El Capitan captivated the world, a rag-tag group of innovators built the sport of modern American rock climbing from a makeshift home base in Yosemite's Camp 4. Photographer Glen Denny was a key figure in that Golden Age of climbing, capturing pioneering feats on camera while tackling challenging ascents himself." Find his memoir in our web store.

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