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Studying, sharing and learning from Yosemite’s long human history.

People have lived in and traveled through the area now known as Yosemite National Park for millennia. Human stories are woven deeply into the park’s past and present, including in knowledge and experiences passed down through generations or still waiting to be told. Your support can fund efforts to study, share, honor and learn from those cultural and historic legacies.

Current Projects

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Yosemite’s Horses and Mules
Ensure the continued success of Yosemite’s long-running mounted patrol program by bringing in four to six new horses and mules, and allowing older animals to retire. 
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Tribal Internships in Resource Careers
Recruit and train a Tribal Intern who will develop a project alongside subject matter experts and affiliated tribes to address hazardous fuels mitigation and invasive species control. 
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Traditional Plant Gathering
Establish the groundwork and site maps for Tribal plant gatherings to uplift cultural practices and the inclusion of traditional ecological knowledge in Yosemite.
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United in Yosemite
Host the third annual United in Yosemite multiday climbing event that elevates diversity, inclusion, and access in the climbing community through clinics, affinity-group spaces, mentorship, and stewardship opportunities. 
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Culture Connections Event Series
Enhance visitor connections to Yosemite traditions and art through an annual series of five to six park programs and events, including the Parsons Memorial Lodge Summer Series and the annual Chiura Obata art event. 
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Connecting to Traditions: Guest Demonstrator Program
Enhance Yosemite’s guest demonstrator program — with refined recruitment efforts and financial compensation — that brings tribal representatives to the Yosemite Museum and Indian Village to interpret cultural stories and tribal histories.
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A Century of Heritage
 Uplift the Yosemite Museum’s centennial programming with the development of in-person and online exhibits to connect all visitors to Yosemite’s past, present, and future.
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Restoring Fire in Black Oak Groves
Restore black oak groves in Yosemite Valley with prescribed cultural burning, providing opportunities for tribal stewardship and maintenance of the groves.
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Our cultural and historic preservation projects have helped the park digitize thousands of vintage images, host special museum exhibits, restore buildings and expand educational resources, work with traditionally affiliated tribes to build a roundhouse at the Wahhoga Village site, and much more.

Want to know more? Take a quick journey back in time to see our past projects!

Areas of Focus

Thanks to supporters, we’ve provided over $152 million to Yosemite for more than 800 completed projects. Donor gifts help improve trails, restore habitat, protect wildlife, inspire the next generation of nature-lovers and more. Explore our funding areas to see current and past projects.