YOSEMITE CONSERVANCY AUTUMN.WINTER 2010 :: ISSUE 01 INSIDE ONE DAY TO DISCOVER YOSEMITE YOUTH PROGRAMS FORGE FUTURE STEWARDS MEET THE PROGRAMS EXPERT INSIGHTS ON YOSEMITE SONGBIRDS COVER PHOTO: FRANK M. GABLER, SUPERINTENDENTS BRIDGE, YOSEMITE VALLEY. PHOTO: (RIGHT) ADREW KLEE. PHOTO: VALLEY. BRIDGE, YOSEMITE FRANK M. GABLER, SUPERINTENDENTS PHOTO: COVER PRESIDENT’S NOTE e are excited to share this first issue of the Yosemite Conservancy magazine with you. The YOSEMITE CONSERVANCY W COUNCIL MEMBERS magazine captures the spirit of our new organization, which resulted CHAIRMAN PRESIDENT Hal Cranston* Mike Tollefson* from the merger of Yosemite VICE CHAIRMAN VICE PRESIDENT Association and The Yosemite Christy Holloway* Jerry Edelbrock Fund. We hope you like the new COUNCIL look as you read about how to Jeanne & Michael Sam & Cindy Livermore have a perfect day in Yosemite. In this issue, you’ll find Adams Jon & Lillian Lovelace Lynda & Scott Adelson Anahita & Jim* an update on our signature project, Youth in Yosemite. Gretchen Augustyn Lovelace David & Chet Barclay Carolyn & Bill Lowman You’ll also hear stories from volunteers and supporters, Meg and Bob Beck Dick & Ann* Otter like Owen, who at seven years old has already begun his Susie & Bob* Bennitt Norm & Janet Pease Barbara Boucke Sharon & Phil* stewardship of Yosemite. And, we’ve included insights David Bowman & Pillsbury from park experts, like Sarah Stock, who describes the Gloria Miller Arnita & Steve Proffitt Allan & Marilyn Brown Bill Reller status of Yosemite songbirds. Gabriella Casares* Frankie & Skip* Rhodes Don & Marilyn Conlan Angie Rios & Samuel Suzanne Corkins & Norman With each new issue, we will share updates on our projects Trey Pruitt Liz & Royal Robbins Hal Cranston* Lennie & Mike Roberts and insights about Yosemite. If you haven’t already joined Leslie & John* Dorman Dave Rossetti & Dave & Dana* Dornsife Jan Avent us for an Outdoor Adventure or theater program, you’ll Lisa & Craig Elliott Marjorie & Jay Rossi learn more about these offerings. Additionally, with the Kathy Fairbanks Linda & Steve* Sanchez Cynthia & Bill* Floyd Thomas & Irene launch of our new website, yosemiteconservancy.org, we Jim Freedman Shephard Mr. Richard N. Goldman Dana Gaffery & will bring you more up-to-the minute information on Bonnie & Rusty* Jonathan* Spaulding Yosemite and ways to stay connected. Gregory Greg & Lisa Stanger Christy* & Chuck Ann & George* Sundby Holloway Clifford J. Walker* We have so much to be thankful for this year. We are Alan Holroyde Jill Appenzeller & Suzanne & Dan* Jensen Wally Wallner especially thankful to you, our supporters for your Jennifer & Greg Johnson Jack Walston Jean Lane Art Baggett & Phyllis* commitment to our organization and to Yosemite. Walt Lemmermann* Weber Thank you! Bob & Melody Lind Polly & Ward* Wolff HONORARY YOSEMITE TRUSTEES NATIONAL PARK Thomas Bowman Superintendent Ed Grubb Don Neubacher Genelle Relfe Mike Tollefson, President *Indicates Board of Trustees 02 AUTUMN.WINTER 2010 :: YOSEMITECONSERVANCY.ORG AUTUMN.WINTER 2010 CONTENTS ISSUE 01 Merced River in Autumn. IN THIS ISSUE DEPARTMENTS 04 DISCOVERY DAY 10 EXPERT INSIGHTS Yosemite Conservancy helps enhance visitor Wildlife biologist, Sarah Stock, talks about songbirds in Yosemite and how experiences and creates connections for park they’re responding to climate change. visitors of all ages. 12 Q&A WITH A YOSEMITE INSIDER Superintendent Don Neubacher shares his thoughts on the value of 06 YOUTH IN YOSEMITE nonprofit partnerships. Future park stewards spent the summer 14 PROJECT UPDATES working alongside National Park Service Tioga Trailheads breaking ground, employees building knowledge, leadership Pacific fisher research update, Views skills, and a love for the outdoors. and Visitors Exhibit images and more. 19 PROGRAM UPDATES 08 MEET THE PROGRAMS Nightly theater performances, thousands of wilderness permits, Discover ways to connect with Yosemite–tap interpretive hikes and more. into your inner artist, provide information 30 READER’S PHOTOS to park visitors, or ski to Ostrander Ski Hut this winter. Yosemite Conservancy supporters share their special Yosemite memories. YOSEMITECONSERVANCY.ORG :: AUTUMN.WINTER 2010 03 DISCOVERY MAKING A CONNECTION ON A FIRST VISIT TO YOSEMITE VALLEY DAY BY CHRISTY HOLLOWAY PHOTOS: (TOP) SCOT MILLER. (LEFT TO RIGHT) VIRGINIA SHANNON. COURTESY OF NPS. KEITH WALKLET. KEITH WALKLET. KEITH WALKLET. COURTESY OF NPS. COURTESY KEITH WALKLET. KEITH WALKLET. OF NPS. KEITH WALKLET. SHANNON. COURTESY RIGHT) VIRGINIA MILLER. (LEFT TO SCOT (TOP) PHOTOS: friend’s question filled me with excitement. “If have spent their lives protecting it. Tunnel View today is you had a day in Yosemite Valley, what would improved over its original 1933 designs. A 2008 overhaul you do?” she asked. The valley’s offerings are so using Conservancy donations created larger and safer viewing diverse that everyone’s visit is a personal journey areas, wheelchair accessibility, educational exhibits, a rebuilt of discovery. I love Yosemite and wanted her to trailhead, revamped parking areas, and more. feel the same way. It would be easy to spend an entire day at valley overlooks– AWith one day, planning is critical. Yosemite Conservancy awed by nature and, perhaps, using your imagination to and National Park Service websites are excellent resources. remember Yosemite’s past. As I poured through ideas with my friend to customize her perfect day, it was clear that whether we were discussing Walking to the base of Yosemite Falls, the highest waterfall vistas, wildlife, art, hiking or history, Conservancy projects in North America at 2,425 feet, is especially dramatic in and programs would shape her experience. springtime when its flow peaks from winter’s snow melt. There’s an easy one-mile loop to an overlook at the base of I wanted her first embrace with the valley to inspire. Tunnel the falls, an array of educational exhibits, and you can even View Overlook is the perfect place to start. The view here is stand in the place where John Muir lived when he was a framed by Bridalveil Fall, El Capitan and Half Dome. Having woodcutter in Yosemite. so many natural icons in one location shouts to Yosemite’s inclusion as a World Heritage Site–and why countless people In the evening, consider driving or taking a shuttle bus to 04 AUTUMN.WINTER 2010 :: YOSEMITECONSERVANCY.ORG DISCOVERY “If you had a day in Yosemite Valley, what DAY would you do?” POINTS OF INTEREST enjoy sunset at Glacier Point. It’s a 45-minute trip that puts you at 7,214 feet and 3,200 feet above the valley–at eye level with Half Dome, Yosemite Falls and TUNNEL VIEW OVERLOOK Opened in 1933 at an event called Clouds Rest. the Pageant of Progress, attended by hundreds. The Valley Visitor Center is a hub of history, art and information--a place YOSEMITE FALLS to learn and design new adventures–with help from Conservancy staff and Look for the ice cone at the base of the volunteers. The adjacent theater features The Spirit of Yosemite, a stunning upper fall during winter and for roaring runoff April through June. film funded by the Conservancy that provides a bird’s-eye view of Yosemite National Park. The bookstore provides a wide assortment of trail maps, INFORMATION KIOSKS Visitors can stop at any of the volunteer educational books and videos for all ages. The proceeds from all purchases visitor information kiosks located are invested back into Yosemite. This bookstore, or similar ones in Wawona throughout the valley. or Tuolumne Meadows, are the perfect place to plan a visit or select special COOK’S MEADOW mementos to help share your experience with family and friends back home. One-third of all of the plant species found in Yosemite occur in its meadows, but comprise just 3% of Yosemite National Near the Visitor Center is the Yosemite Art & Education Center where resident Park’s area. artists share their skills in daily art classes. Aspiring artists of all ages can paint VALLEY VISITOR CENTER and draw in the shadow of Half Dome and other famous rock formations that Find out information, enjoy exhibits, have inspired generations with their majesty and grandeur. and browse the Yosemite Conservancy bookstore. One way to forge deeper connections with Yosemite is to Continued on Page 11 YOSEMITECONSERVANCY.ORG :: AUTUMN.WINTER 2010 05 SUMMERTIME ENRICHED FOR FUTURE PARK YOUTH STEWARDS IN YOSEMITE PHOTOS: COURTESY OF NPS ABOVE YCC working to fill mines in the Mono Pass area. ost of us can remember the moment when we first the Dixon art and historic archive preservation projects. felt connected with the outdoors and national • Expanded Junior Ranger programs and created new parks. Whether it was camping and hiking in exhibits at the Nature Center at Happy Isles to give more Yosemite Valley, chasing butterflies in an alpine children a taste of Yosemite’s unique natural features. meadow or simply gazing up at the most enormous tree we had ever seen in Mariposa Grove–those JUNIOR RANGER PROGRAMS moments will stay with us for a lifetime. The Junior Ranger program helps children, ages 7 to 13, M forge deep connections with Yosemite National Park. Donor This summer, Yosemite Conservancy helped pass the torch to funding has helped provide the opportunity to keep the tomorrow’s leaders and future park stewards by funding Youth Happy Isles Junior Ranger Center open nine months, seven in Yosemite. This signature project, made possible by your days a week this year. generosity, provided a $1 million dollar grant to fund several programs in Yosemite, including: “We’re providing programs to help show young people the magic of our national parks,” said Victoria Mates, who • California Conservation Corps (CCC). These crews manages interpretive programs for the National Park Service repaired front-country trails in the Valley, near Wawona in Yosemite. “It’s a connection we hope they will carry with and the Merced River watershed, and more than 60 them the rest of their lives.” miles of backcountry trails.