Yosemite Conservancy Newsletter | January 2023

Logo © Yosemite Conservancy

Celebrating A Century of Conservation

Happy New Year...and happy anniversary to Yosemite Conservancy!

2023 marks our 100th year of service to Yosemite National Park — and as a supporter, you are very much a part of our centennial celebration. We are so grateful for your support!

Our roots stretch back to August 1923, when the Yosemite Museum Association was established as the original nonprofit partner to the National Park Service. Today, we help park fans from around the world explore and conserve Yosemite, including through adventures, art, books, and retail. With support from donors, we have funded more than $145 million in grants for more than 800 projects involving trail and habitat restoration, scientific research, wildlife management, visitor education, and more. 

We look forward to sharing centennial-related events and opportunities for engagement throughout this year. In the meantime, read more about our history here.

In other Yosemite news:

• In case you missed it, Horsetail Fall reservations go on sale this Friday, January 13, 2023: The increasingly popular Horsetail Fall event has resulted in a surge of visitors in recent years. This has led to full parking lots overflowing into traffic lanes, pedestrian-vehicle conflicts causing safety issues, and damage to natural and cultural resources. This year, a reservation will be required to drive into Yosemite National Park on the weekends of February 10–12, February 17–19, and February 24–26, 2023. Reservations will go on sale at Recreation.gov on January 13, 2023 at 8 am PST. Learn more on NPS.gov/yose, and if you plan to visit, please take a few minutes to read our tips for a safe and respectful Horsetail Fall experience.
• Bookmark this new blog for a successful winter visit to Yosemite: Most visitors only come to the park during the summer season, which makes winter one of the best kept Yosemite secrets. This guide provides practical advice and resources on how best to prepare for a winter visit. Save it for later or send it to a friend!
• To save Yosemite's bats, scientists need help finding them: An important donor-funded project to survey the park's bat populations — with the ultimate goal to protect them from white-nose syndrome — was recently featured in this story from National Geographic.

• Ahwahnee closure: The Ahwahnee closed on January 2, 2023 for a seismic improvement project. The hotel, cottages, grounds, and parking lot are closed to all Yosemite visitors, and there is no shuttle service to the hotel. It is scheduled to re-open on March 3, 2023.

Photo © Madison Smith 

Join the Centennial Celebration — Share Your Yosemite Story

One of the many ways we're celebrating 100 years of impact in the park is by sharing the stories of people who make our work possible.

So, what's your Yosemite story?

Tell us about your experiences in Yosemite — from the life-changing to the mundane — by answering a few questions. 

Photo courtesy of Kristin Silver

Video: A Virtual Conversation with Yosemite Superintendent Cicely Muldoon and Conservancy President Frank Dean

Watch or revisit last month's virtual donor event with Yosemite Superintendent Cicely Muldoon! During their conversation, Frank and Cicely discussed 2022 successes and challenges in Yosemite, including wildfires and related efforts to protect giant sequoias in the Mariposa Grove and beyond. They shared some exciting accomplishments made possible by Conservancy donors last year, and looked forward to potential 2023 projects in the park. They also explore the future of the reservation system and the impact of the Great American Outdoors Act in Yosemite. The video concludes with a short Q&A with the audience.

Photo by Andrew Dong on Unsplash

Join Us: Learn More About 2023 Donor Events!

Our 2023 donor event schedule is now available online! One of our many donor benefits, these events offer exclusive experiences in the park designed specifically for our dedicated supporters. We know that there are many great causes worthy of your attention, and this is one of the ways we intend to show our appreciation for your love for Yosemite! Not a donor yet? Make a gift today to receive an invitation to our in-park Spring Gathering event!

Photo © Madison Smith

UPCOMING EVENTS IN YOSEMITE

Next year's Art Classes and Outdoor Adventures are live on our website and open for registration! Check out our late winter and early spring programs:

January 28: Day Hike: Winter Wonder in Yosemite Valley

February 18: Day Hike: Winter Wonder in Mariposa Grove

March 4: Day Hike: Dewey Point Snowshoe

March 24: Yosemite Field School: Yosemite Valley Geology

March 26: Day Hike: Wildflowers on the Merced

Naturalist Walks will resume in March, and Art Classes and Art Retreats kick off in April.

Remember, our adventure gift certificates and art center gift cards are the perfect solution if you know you want to join us for a program in Yosemite next year, but aren't yet sure of your schedule.

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.