Yosemite Conservancy Newsletter | November 2021

Photo © Madison Smith

Recent News from Yosemite​

• Last month, the park experienced an unusual early-season atmospheric river, which brought fresh snow in the high country and Yosemite Falls roaring back to life in the Valley. Check out these before and after photos compiled from our webcams and halfdome.net.

• The Tuolumne Meadows Ski Hut, Snow Creek Cabin, and Conservancy-run Ostrander Ski Hut will remain closed to the public for the winter of 2021-2022, as they were last winter, due to public health and operational concerns posed by COVID-19 and the Delta variant.

• The process for getting a wilderness permit reservation has changed – the application has officially moved from Yosemite.org to Recreation.gov. Find additional details about how to prepare for your wilderness experience here on NPS.gov.

• Yosemite Conservancy is moving offices. If you will be sending us physical mail after November 30, please send to: 101 Montgomery Street, Suite 2450, San Francisco, CA 94104. Please get in touch with any questions or concerns.

Photo courtesy of NPS

Yosemite's First – And Continuing – Stewards

November is Native American Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the rich traditions, languages, and culture of Indigenous people. The seven tribes who call Yosemite home have worked together with the park for decades as the “traditionally associated tribes and communities of Yosemite.” Read about how they collaborate with the National Park Service to continue the stewardship of their homeland to this day.

Photo courtesy of Yenyen Chan

Video: Virtual Event with Yosemite National Park Ranger Yenyen Chan

In this recording of last month’s virtual donor event, Ranger Chan discusses the rich history and contributions of Chinese immigrants in Yosemite, the annual Sing Peak Pilgrimage, and the new Conservancy-funded exhibit in the historic Chinese Laundry Building in Wawona. Thanks to all who joined us in real time! Only have a few minutes? This 7-minute video also explores the role Chinese immigrants played in the early years of Yosemite National Park.

Photo © Yosemite Conservancy

Yosemite Museum Store

Our online Museum Store features unique, one-of-a-kind objects handmade by local Native people. Conservancy staff member Nicole Brocchini manages the virtual store, selecting crafts and jewelry that reflect Native skills, from modern sterling silver pieces (like the turquoise necklace pictured here) to century-old traditional baskets. In case you missed it, we profiled Nicole in our Spring/Summer 2021 donor magazine – get to know her in the “Meet the Team” story on page 27.

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.