in this issue
	New YA 80th Anniversary Logo T-Shirts Are You a PSR? More Urban Bears in Central, Southern California Ideas for Introducing Kids to the Natural World Have You Got Your 2004 Yosemite Wall Calendar?

Are You a PSR?

Have you ever come across hikers on a trail out of Yosemite Valley wearing dress shoes and dress pants? Women hikers wearing platform sandals or high heels? These folks could be viewed as Huckleberry Finns in ill- suited footwear, traipsing through a Gore-Tex world; testament that, as rangers like to say, "the park belongs to everyone." Locals more commonly refer to them as tourons -- tourists displaying moronic behavior. Rangers call them PSRs, possible search and rescues. While most discussions surrounding Yosemite are about keeping one of the nation's most-used parks both "wild" and accessible, a major issue in the park is human safety: making people without outdoor experience aware that it isn't an amusement park, rangers say. Last year, Yosemite's Search and Rescue Team responded to 180 incidents, 100 of them involving day hikers, most of whom came from the Central Valley and the Bay Area. What can you do to make sure that you don't become involved in a search and rescue incident? Check out the full article in our newsroom. To read more about odd trail attire and for a day hike checklist... »

More Urban Bears in Central, Southern California

Black bears are increasingly being spotted looking for meals in residential neighborhoods in California. Partly, that is the result of a rising bear population. The number of California black bears has nearly tripled, to about 30,000, since the 1980s, said Doug Updike, a senior wildlife biologist with the Fish and Game Department. As their population grows, the bears are moving beyond their normal terrain in Northern California into the Central Coast and Southern California, Updike said. As the number of bears increases, so do their encounters with people. Hundreds of encounters are reported to Fish and Game annually, Updike said. Most are sightings, but others involve bears trespassing on private property. And although it's not in their nature to attack people -- at most they will swat at a person and then run away -- black bears can significantly damage homes, cars and other property, Updike said. Recently state and federal agencies and some non-profit groups have launched campaigns to educate the public about proper food- storing practices to avoid bear encounters and, they hope, exterminations that sometimes result. To read more about the moving black bears... »

Ideas for Introducing Kids to the Natural World

Children have a natural curiosity, which constantly leads them into discoveries. Parents, grandparents, and other adults who explore nature with kids can support youthful inquiry by being equipped with some handy resources. Long-time Yosemite Association seminar instructor and environmental educator, Michael Ross recently authored an article entitled "Family Nature Explorations - A Resource Kit" that was posted on the Sierra Nature Notes web page. Michael covers such topics as hiking with kids, trail explorations, exploration tools, and back in camp, plus provides a great list of additional reading resources. The primary theme of the article is that whether it's a gentle stroll on a trail or a more challenging backcountry hike, kids can have a great and rewarding adventure with the right preperation. Enjoy the full article by visiting Sierra Nature Notes. To read the full "Nature Explorations" article... »

Have You Got Your 2004 Yosemite Wall Calendar?

From lofty granite domes to snow-laden forests, from sparkling waterfalls to untouched meadows, the images in the new 2004 Yosemite calendar capture the spirit of awe John Muir felt so strongly more than 130 years ago. Work is included by such renowned photographers as Keith Walklet, Dennis Flaherty, and Michael Frye. Subjects range from icons in Yosemite Valley to high country landscapes and peaks. All seasons in the park are featured. Each month is laid out with thumbnails of the previous and following months, and is annotated with important dates and holidays and phases of the moon. The 14 x 11 inch calendar unfolds to a 14 x 22 inch size and is printed in full color. It's never to early to have next year's calendar - it will save you adding notations to the back of the December page (where none were meant to be!). As always, Y.A. members receive a 15% discount and can purchase this $11.95 calendar for only $10.16. To purchase your 2004 Yosemite calendar... »