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| Special Offer on Yosemite Events for YA Members! |
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The park's main concessioner, DNC Parks & Resorts at
Yosemite (formerly YCS), asked us to say "thank you"
and offer our members some holiday specials. DNC has
partnered with YA to offer 10% lodging discount
coupons with every new membership and renewal
this year.
Members can now use their 10% lodging discount
coupon for the 2003 Vintners' Holidays or 2004
Chefs' Holidays. Both programs are held at The
Ahwahnee, and lodging packages are offered at both
the Yosemite Lodge and The Ahwahnee. If you've
never enjoyed these holiday events, you're in for a
treat as top winemakers and award-winning chefs share
their expertise through live demonstrations and tastings.
For more information on dates and options for the
Vintners' Holidays, click
here.
For more information on dates and options for the
Chefs' Holidays, click
here.
To make your reservation, please call (559) 252-4848.
Please note that your discount will be applied by the
front desk at the time of check-in when you present
your coupon. This special offer is just one of the many
benefits of Yosemite Association membership!
To read about all the Yosemite Association member benefits... »
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| Sierra Glaciers Are Shrinking |
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A new survey of glaciers in the Sierra Nevada shows
the thick slabs of ice that have frosted many of the
state's high peaks for the last thousand years are
dramatically shrinking and, in some cases,
disappearing altogether.
Seven Sierra Nevada glaciers that were surveyed and
rephotographed over the summer are all smaller than
they were a century ago, said Hassan Basagic, a
graduate student at Portland State University who
initiated the survey.
Darwin Glacier near Bishop (Inyo County) is an
estimated 50 to 100 feet thinner today than it was in
historical photos from the early 1900s. The Lyell Glacier
off the popular John Muir Trail in Yosemite National Park
is retreating to the peaks above Tuolumne Meadows
from which it springs.
The only bit of good news was that researchers found
precisely the opposite phenomena atop Mount Shasta
in far Northern California, where glaciers are getting
bigger. All seven of the mountain's glaciers, including
three-mile long Whitney, the state's largest, have
grown in recent decades. Three of the mountain's
glaciers have doubled in size since 1950, said Slawek
Tulaczyk, a glaciologist at UC Santa Cruz who began
the Mount Shasta Glacial Survey in 2002.
Many experts suspect that the transformation of
the glaciers may be accelerating as the planet warms in
response to the human production of greenhouse
gases, such as carbon dioxide. To learn about the other
factors that are at work, read the complete article in
our news room.
To read more about the shrinking Sierra glaciers... »
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| Framed Yosemite Stamp Makes Great Gift |
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This handsome bit of Yosemite memorabilia features the
original Yosemite one cent stamp issued by the U.S.
Postal Service in 1934.
The green stamp depicting El Capitan is set in a white
mat that is printed with Ansel Adams' inspirational
quote that reads: "Yosemite Valley, to me, is always a
sunrise, a glitter of green and golden wonder in a vast
edifice of stone and space."
The stamp and mat have been covered with glass and
framed in wood that is reddish brown in color. The
frame (4.5 inches by 3.75 inches) can be hung on the
wall, and it also includes a hinged support leg for
displaying the stamp on flat surfaces.
The framed stamp retails for $18, but with their 15%
discount, YA members pay only $15.30! Order
this perfect gift for a Yosemite lover soon.
To purchase a framed Yosemite one-cent stamp... »
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| Threatening Mountain Lions Killed |
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Two mountain lions recently began hunting on a regular
basis at Curry Village, Yosemite Village, and the
Ahwahnee. They were preying on the large population
of raccoons in these areas, drawn to an abundance of
human food available.
Biologists became concerned that the lions were
spending too much time in developed areas of the
valley and showing no fear of the people around them.
The situation became more serious when one of the
lions displayed stalking behavior toward humans.
At the end of October, the two lions, an adult female
and a sub-adult, were trapped and then euthanized by
lethal injection by park wildlife biologists.
This unfortunate situation was the result of the conflict
that can result when human use of Yosemite National
Park impacts the natural habitat of mountain lions and
other species.
To read the NPS press release about the mountain lions... »
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| YA's 80th Anniversary Logo Pin Available |
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The beautiful 'cloisonne-style' enamel pin developed to
celebrate the Yosemite Association's 80th anniversary
is now available. With its rich primary colors and gold
lettering and highlights, the pin is a real eyecatcher.
The pin, measuring 1 inch wide and 1.375 inches tall,
was developed for us by William Spear from the new
80th anniversary logo designed by Michael Osborne
Design. The heavy enamel cloisonne-style pin comes
packaged in a tan cardboard gift box.
This is the pin that is provided as a thank-you gift to
everyone who donates $80 or more during YA's 80th
anniversary year. If you'd like to make an 80th
anniversary donation (using a secure connection) and
receive the pin as a gift, click
here. Those donating $80 or more will be sent the
logo pin.
For those wishing to purchase the pin, it retails for
$12.95. As always, YA members receive a 15%
discount, and can purchase it for only $11.01!
To purchase the YA 80th anniversary logo pin...
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