CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) UPDATE
We have modified, postponed or canceled many Conservancy programs, events and operations. For details, see our COVID-19 response and our new Outdoor Adventure safety procedures. Yosemite is open. Park entry requires reservations. See the Yosemite National Park site for details and reservations.

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Supporting the world-class scientists who conduct unique and vital research in Yosemite.

Yosemite is an ideal place to study the natural world. Scientists working in this “living laboratory” explore biodiversity, geology, climate change and more. Your support can fund research that informs efforts to understand and protect the park’s resources today and prepare for the future.

Current Projects

Analyze Forest Health With Lidar Data – 2020
Use laser-based measurements (lidar) to assess the condition of Yosemite’s forests, including how much carbon they store, and inform park resource-management efforts.
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Study Songbirds in Yosemite – 2020
Gather data on migratory and year-round birds in Yosemite through a long-running MAPS (Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship) program.
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Wilderness Research: PCT and JMT – 2020
Study John Muir Trail/Pacific Crest Trail hikers’ travel patterns and wilderness values to improve permit processes and protect habitat along popular long-distance routes.
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How is climate change affecting Yosemite’s plant and animal populations? What can a tiny sample of water tell us about the organisms living in an alpine lake? How does Yosemite’s shrinking glacial ice impact ecosystems in and beyond the park?

Donor-funded projects help deepen scientific understanding of natural processes, flora and fauna, and human impacts on the environment. Browse our past projects to see innovative research our supporters have made possible.

Areas of Focus

Thanks to supporters, we’ve provided over $130 million to Yosemite for more than 680 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.