| Autumn Adventures Await |
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Space is still available in a few
of our fall Outdoor Adventures. Fit, experienced
backpackers are needed to measure the shrinkage of
the Maclure
Glacier (the same one Muir measured) with Pete
Devine later this month. Gifted artist Andie Thrams
shares her
journaling magic in her October "Forest Illuminations"
course and Keith Walklet's November seminar shows
photographers the best of autumn lighting. We'll
embark on a
quest for diverse woodpeckers in early December, and
Custom Adventures are always available for families
and other groups.
Members receive tuition discounts, and motel rooms
or free campsites are available for each course.
Yosemite in autumn; make plans to explore it in
person.
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| Members Savor Fall in the Meadows |
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Brisk mornings gave way to warm afternoons treating
Yosemite Association members to perfect weather for
the 32nd Annual Members' Meeting last weekend in
Tuolumne Meadows. Over 200 YA members enjoyed a
variety of programs and walks exploring the
cultural and natural history of the area in the morning,
and
then gathered for a hearty lunch at Tuolumne Lodge.
The meeting commenced at 1:30 with addresses from
Yosemite Superintendent Mike Tollefson, YA Board
Chair Christy Holloway, and CEO David Guy. With
business and updates aside, naturalist and author
John Muir "Jack" Laws took the podium, and wowed
the audience with fascinating stories of his travels and
studies in the Sierra Nevada.
Following the presentations, Jack signed his newest
publication, The Laws Field Guide to the Sierra
Nevada alongside Past Tents author Susan
Snyder and Illustrated Flora of Yosemite author
Stephen Botti while members enjoyed the wine and
cheese
reception and David announced the winners of the
fabulous raffle and auction prizes. The evening closed
with songs around the campfire with Gail Dreifus and
Al Palisca.
Though we're still deciding who to thank for the
weather, we would like to thank the National Park
Service, DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite, Redwood
Creek Wines, the staff at Tuolumne Lodge and all of
our volunteers and auction and raffle prize donors who
helped make the event such a success.
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| Images of America: Yosemite National Park and Vicinity for $19.99 |
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Yosemite historian Leroy Radanovich has written
extensively on the park and Mariposa County, and in
this volume he explores the park's surprisingly diverse
history. Included here are images of Yosemite's
military and mining history, as well as the road that
crossed the Sierra. Some of the settlements and
mining camps shown here still survive, while others
are merely shadows. Nonetheless, the outer zones of
the park hold much intrigue and little-known history, all
of which enrich this national treasure.
Visit the YA Store and type 'Images of America'
into the
search bar for details.
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Interior Secretary Visits Yosemite |
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Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne and National
Park Service (NPS) Director Mary Bomar visited
Yosemite on August 23 to unveil the NPS Centennial
Initiative and announce the projects moving forward
as part of the Centennial Challenge. Secretary
Kempthorne in May sent a report to the President
proposing his recommendations to support National
Parks and to recognize the upcoming Centennial of the
NPS in 2016. He opened his report: "Mr. President,
inspired by the passions of thousands of citizens and
mindful that boldness matches our history, today I
bring you our vision to ensure that the American love
affair with National Parks endures."
Sixteen projects in Yosemite were certified as eligible
for funding in fiscal year 2008, including YA advancing
the Junior Ranger Program by producing multi-lingual
handbooks and establishing a Junior Ranger Center
at Happy Isles; the University of California (UC) Merced
Leadership Program (including student interns); and
multi-cultural field seminars. The Yosemite Fund and
Yosemite Institute also had many exciting projects
certified in this process that YA will support.
The federal budget process is still unclear. For these
projects to move forward, federal funding in the budget
is essential. California Senator Feinstein, the chair of
the Interior Appropriations Committee and Senator
Boxer will also be key to securing funding for these
projects. YA has joined the other Yosemite park
partners in sending letters urging the California
Senators to
support funding for the Centennial Initiative. Your voice
is also very important. We recommend a simple letter
to the Senators urging them to support our National
Parks and to provide federal funding for the Centennial
Initiative and Challenge. These letters can be sent or
calls made to:
Senator Dianne Feinstein
United States Senate
331 Hart Senate Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
(202) 224-3841
Senator Barbara Boxer
112 Hart Senate Building
Washington, D.C.
20510
(202) 224-3553
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