Project overview: Build upon the long-term success of Yosemite’s human–bear management team by purchasing and refurbishing long-lasting GPS collars, relaunching the KeepBearsWild.org website, and developing new educational tools, blogs, and videos.

How your support helps: Yosemite’s Human–Bear Management team has significantly decreased interactions between black bears and visitors over the past quarter-century. In the late 1900s, black bears had become a threat to visitor safety, frequently stealing food from campsites and cars and potentially injuring people. Yosemite Conservancy and the National Park Service intervened in the at this time to educate visitors on proper food storage, better manage park trash, enforce food-storage regulations, and employ new management techniques. This included technological advances in GPS bear tracking, the creation of KeepBearsWild.org for public engagement, and an upgraded bear-monitoring system that allows rangers to respond quickly to bear encounters.  

In this new era of proactive bear management, this project will allow the bear team to focus more time and energy in expanding, upgrading, and maintaining past projects. 

This year: In 2026, this project will uplift human–bear management efforts in Yosemite through targeted bear management efforts and engaging public outreach materials that educate visitors about the role they play in keeping bears wild. Visitor education materials will be distributed through at least six blogs, a short educational video, and the KeepBearsWild.org website, which will be relaunched with updated content and visuals. Bear management will be improved upon with the purchase and refurbishing of five GPS collars to track bear locations in the park.

Project partners: Yosemite National Park;Wharton Media