Yosemite Conservancy Newsletter | September 2021

Photo © Steven Matros

Recent News from Yosemite

Yosemite National Park remains open despite the closure of California's national forests. Reservations are required through Sept. 30. 

The following fire restrictions are in effect inside the park:

• Wood and charcoal fires (including twig stoves) are prohibited below 8,000 feet — except in open campgrounds, open picnic areas that have park-installed grills, and residential areas. Wood and charcoal fires are allowed in existing fire rings above 8,000 feet (and below 9,600 feet). Use dead and down wood only. Do not leave fires unattended.

• Portable stoves that don't use wood are allowed. Allowed stoves are those that use pressurized gas, liquid fuel, propane, or alcohol (including tablet/cub stoves).

• Smoking is prohibited except within an enclosed vehicle; a building in which smoking is allowed; open, designated campgrounds and picnic areas where wood or charcoal fires are allowed; paved developed areas; and designated smoking areas.

• Fireworks are always prohibited in Yosemite National Park.

While there are no large fires in Yosemite and air quality has been good to moderate, hazy or smoky conditions are possible from fires elsewhere in California.

Photo © Brannon Naito 

A Conversation With Yosemite Conservancy: 

National Parks Traveler Podcast Episode #134

"Climate change is readily apparent this year, generating surprising heat waves in the Pacific Northwest, scores of wildfires across the West, and an ongoing series of tropical storms and hurricanes spinning out of the Atlantic and barreling into the East and Gulf coasts of the United States. The effects of climate change aren’t absent from the National Park system either. To discuss some of those impacts at Yosemite National Park, we reached out to Frank Dean, president and CEO of the Yosemite Conservancy, and Cory Goehring, the Conservancy’s lead naturalist." 

Photo: Nick Fedrick © 2021

Submit a Reader Photo for the Conservancy’s Autumn/Winter Magazine

Now accepting Through Your Lens submissions!

Share your seasonal shots of Yosemite for the chance to be featured in the reader photos section of our Autumn/Winter 2021 magazine. For this issue, we're seeking images that align with a specific theme: climate and science.

Photo captions are optional, but we’d love to hear from you how the image fits the theme. Photos can be taken anywhere in the park, and can feature landscapes, plants, wildlife or even people.

Photo © Yosemite Conservancy/Gretchen Roecker

Spend a Night, Donate a Dollar

Looking for a place to stay during your next Yosemite trip? When you make a reservation with one of our partner hotels or campgrounds, you’ll have the option to donate $1 to support the park for each night of your stay! Pro tip: We hear that Curry Village and Wawona Hotel have some last-minute availability this fall.

Photo © Jen Smith

Back To School Discount on Books

This month, take advantage of a 15% discount on all of our books! From critically acclaimed children's books to informative guidebooks, creative coloring books and everything in between, we've got stories for Yosemite lovers of all ages. Discount code: BACKTOSCHOOL

Want the chance to see your shots featured here?
It’s easy! Share Yosemite photos with us on Flickr, and tag your best shot with #yosemiteconnect. Winners will be featured online and in our monthly newsletter.