Project overview: Expand ranger-led astronomy programs at Glacier Point, Tuolumne Meadows, and Crane Flat to foster a deeper connection between visitors and Yosemite’s night sky.  

How your support helps: Stargazing sparks a sense of wonder and appreciation for Yosemite’s night sky. It can be an easy connection to broader environmental issues, including light pollution, nighttime soundscapes, and more. In 2024, the National Park Service brought back the long-running Glacier Point astronomy club and piloted similar programming in Tuolumne Meadows to increasingly connect visitors with the night sky. 

This project will allow for the continued growth of astronomy programs in diverse locations throughout the park: Glacier Point, Tuolumne Meadows, and the Crane Flat area. This presents a compelling opportunity to expand Yosemite’s astronomy programs and reduce the need for visitors to drive long distances for night-sky ranger programming. As an added component, two bilingual astronomy pop-up boards will be created to ensure even more visitors can easily access Yosemite’s Night Skies. 

This year: In 2025, National Park Service teams will hire two seasonal employees to develop and lead night-sky programs, coordinate astronomy trainings for staff, and create marketing materials, including two bilingual informational pop-up boards to support Spanish-speaking visitors. In this way, programs will empower visitors to become stewards of the night sky and appreciate the unique natural elements of Yosemite. 

Project partner: Yosemite National Park