The Preventive Search and Rescue (PSAR) program aims to reduce visitor accident, injury and fatality rates in Yosemite by 20 percent by 2020. Every year, approximately 200–250 search and rescue missions occur, with 5–7 accident-related fatalities. Meeting the accident-reduction goal means up to 50 people and their families would be spared the pain, loss and grief associated with serious injury or death each year.

In 2015, your support helped propel the PSAR program toward that goal by expanding efforts to educate visitors about their own risky behaviors in the park, through one-on-one volunteer outreach, interpretive presentations in lodging and campgrounds, gateway-community education events, and customized signs and displays for specific hazards.

With your support, more than 70 trained PSAR volunteers patrolled trails throughout the park, from Yosemite Valley to the high Sierra, and shared safety information with more than 27,000 visitors (a nearly 60% increase from 2014). That dedicated PSAR team was honored with Yosemite’s “Volunteer Program of the Year” award.

Your contribution helped expand an important program that ensures visitors can safely enjoy the wonders of Yosemite.

Completed in partnership with Yosemite National Park.

Lisa J. Hendy

Emergency Services Program Manager, Yosemite National Park

Project Notes

We will reduce the most striking consequence of serious injuries and fatalities: the insurmountable grief of the affected person and their families. The suffering is felt by many, including all of their loved ones throughout the country. Visitors who witness the event are often impacted. Additionally, preventing visitor injury incidents will reduce temporary trail closures, traffic delays, and wilderness disturbance caused by rescue efforts.