Yosemite Conservancy Newsletter | April 2023

Photo courtesy of NPS

Recent News from Yosemite

As spring finally begins to grace us with its presence here in Northern California and the Sierra Nevada, we're highlighting this important hiking safety message from the National Park Service:

It may not look very snowy in the photo above, but if you try to hike up from the floor of Yosemite Valley, it is still VERY snowy. Experienced hikers with crampons are choosing to turn around due to treacherous conditions, even on the popular trails to the tops of Vernal, Nevada, and Yosemite Falls. We strongly discourage hikers from hiking on snow-covered trails right now. If you choose to, be sure to use traction devices and be prepared for a winter mountaineering experience. (And, remember, you can always choose to turn around if your hike isn't going as expected!)

In other Yosemite and Conservancy news:

• Happy Isles is open
  We are excited to announce that Happy Isles Art & Nature Center opened for the 2023 season on Monday, April 10! This season's art classes have begun — this week's offering is Watercolor and Ink with artist Casey Cheuvront. 
  
  Join us for a class or creative activity that will help you see the natural world in a new way.
   
• Naturalist Walks are back
  Experience Yosemite with a naturalist! These casual, one- to two-hour programs offer guided stargazing, birding and wildlife walks, botany walks, and sunset walks in Yosemite Valley.
  
  If you know you’ll be there, please register ahead of time on our website. Children ages 5 and under can attend our naturalist walks for free.
   
• Yosemite Valley Visitor Center has reopened
  Yosemite Conservancy and National Park Service staff have returned to the Valley Visitor Center! The bookstore is open daily from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. The Yosemite Theater is also back — the first showing is at 9:30 a.m. and the last showing is at 4 p.m. each day.
   
• Spring wildlife message
  Happy spring, Yosemite! Even though the park is still getting some snow, wildlife are beginning their springtime foraging. Bears are starting to spend more time out searching for food — grazing in meadows and entering developed areas to see if they can find anything left behind by human visitors. When you are in the park, keep all food with you and within arm's reach at all times. Please also pay attention to speed limits in the park and look out for any wildlife near the road.
  
  Learn more about bear encounters, food storage regulations, and bear-vehicle collisions on the donor-funded Keep Bears Wild website. Thanks for helping keep wildlife (and yourself) safe!
   
• Tuolumne Meadows Winter Conditions Update
  The data is in, and this winter was indeed the snowiest Tuolumne Meadows winter on record! With data from our survey sites extending back to 1930, the previous record was the winter of 1983, which had an average of snow depth of 168.84 inches and 66.98 inches of snow water equivalent (SWE). On April 1 this year, winter rangers documented an average snow depth of 177.3 inches and 79.68 inches of SWE!
  
  Read last week’s Tuolumne Meadows winter ranger update for how the snowpack is measured, recent wildlife sightings, and more.
   

Photo © Yosemite Conservancy

VIDEO: Yosemite Zero Landfill Initiative: Reusable Propane Cylinders

Single-use propane cylinders are classified as hazardous waste. They’re costly to collect, store, transport, and recycle, and they often end up in the trash. Around 24,000 used-up cylinders are collected in recycling areas in Yosemite each year, and an unknown number are thrown out.

At Yosemite Conservancy, our Zero Landfill and Sustainability Coordinator is working to change that — in collaboration with the National Park Service, Yosemite Hospitality, Zero Landfill Initiative leaders, and other partners. This effort to reduce improper disposal of single-use propane cylinders will help move Yosemite National Park toward zero-waste status.

This project is made possible in part by a grant from the National Park Foundation through the generous support of Subaru of America.

Photo © Yosemite Conservancy

United in Yosemite — 2023 Climbing Festival

United in Yosemite is a new climbing festival celebrating diversity in climbing, funded in part by the generosity of Conservancy donors. The event will take place in Yosemite Valley from June 23–28.

"United in Yosemite is committed to nurturing an evolution in climbing culture through the lenses of representation, Tribal engagement, stewardship, and celebration. The event is designed with new and intermediate Yosemite rock climbers in mind. The event's mission is to provide opportunities for mentorships amongst climbers from historically marginalized groups, empowering individuals to achieve their climbing goals, thrive amongst community, and develop as stewards of the land."

For more information, visit the United in Yosemite website and and follow along on social media.

Photo © Christopher Michel

Spend a Night, Donate a Dollar

Planning a Yosemite visit? Check to see if your hotel or campground partners with the Conservancy through our Dollar-a-Night program — if they do, you’ll be able to donate to support projects in the park for each night of your stay. A dollar or three might not seem like much, but those modest donations add up to a big benefit for the park! We're grateful to the generous lodging partners — and their generous guests — who've teamed up with the Conservancy to show their love for Yosemite.

To thank our supporters, we also partner with local businesses to offer special discounts through the Yosemite Conservancy Donor Passport. Donors, consult your 2023 Passport for discounts on lodging, food, in-park activities, and more! Or, join us today to receive your Passport!

Photo © Yosemite Conservancy/Heather van der Grinten 

Yosemite Conservancy Centennial Hat

New product alert! Your support has helped Yosemite Conservancy reach a huge milestone — 100 years of conservation in Yosemite through 100 years of partnership with the National Park Service. Now you can join the celebration with our centennial-inspired baseball cap, featuring our centennial logo.

Photo © Yosemite Conservancy / Brittany Colt

UPCOMING EVENTS IN YOSEMITE

As noted above, Naturalist Walks are back for the 2023 season, and the Happy Isles Art & Nature Center has opened!

Check out our scheduled Art Classes, Outdoor Adventures, and Donor Events below:

April 10 – 21: Watercolor & Ink with Casey Cheuvront

April 24 – 28: Watercolor Journaling with Elizabeth Butterfield

May 1 – 5: Mosaics with Denise Davidson

May 5 – 7: Spring Colors

May 8 – 12: Watercolor with John Gates

May 15 – 19: Watercolor with Jo-Neal Graves

May 19 – 20: Yosemite Field School: Meadow Hydrology and Ecology

May 22 – 26: Watercolor with Grace Fong

May 26: Paint and Sip

May 29 – June 2: Outdoor Painting & Poetry with Joa & Kelly

Want the chance to see your shots featured here?

It’s easy! Share Yosemite photos with us on social media and tag your best shot with #yosemiteconnect. Winners will be featured online and in our monthly newsletter.