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July 11, 2023

What is your favorite way to support Yosemite National Park? This year, Yosemite Conservancy is celebrating a Century of Conservation in partnership with Yosemite National Park. Over the past 100 years as the park’s nonprofit partner, the Conservancy has provided over $145 million in grants to help complete over 800 projects.

To honor this milestone, we’ve compiled a list of 100 ways that you can help celebrate and support Yosemite through the Conservancy and its efforts to preserve and protect Yosemite for future generations. Here’s to the next 100 years!

Priceless ways to support Yosemite Conservancy:

  • Visit Yosemite! It is thanks to the community of people who know and love Yosemite that the Conservancy’s first century of conservation was made possible.

    Supporters or Yosemtie Conservancy helped make this scene happen. Looking at a bronze relief map of Yosemite Valley in the lower left corner. We see two youth at the edges engaging with the map. Beyond them the real Yosemite Valley unfolds in the background. We see between the people Bridalveil Fall.

    Youth explore the geography of Yosemite Valley with a bronze relief map at Tunnel View. Photo by Keith Walklet.

  • Yosemite Conservancy has completed several iconic projects to enhance visitor experience. Come to the park and look for our bronze plaques, relief maps, flora, and fauna at the Lower Yosemite Fall trail, Glacier Point, Tunnel View, Olmsted Point, and the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias.
  • While you’re in the park, keep an eye out for ongoing projects funded by Yosemite Conservancy. Every year, we install temporary signage to provide a glimpse into the current year’s work that has been made possible by donations in Yosemite National Park.
  • When you get home, please take just 5 minutes to share the most memorable moments or experiences from your Yosemite trip with us. Your input can help inspire support for the park’s future generations. To participate, simply fill out our quick survey form.
  • You can also visit Yosemite virtually through a Conservancy webcam. This is a great option for Yosemite enthusiasts who are unable to make regular visits to the park.
  • You can learn about our annual projects in Yosemite National Park by visiting our website. Every year, we fund critical work in seven key impact areas. Whether you’re a current or prospective donor, browsing our grant pages will give you a new perspective on your favorite park.

Spread the word!

    • Telling your friends about Yosemite’s philanthropic partner and the organization’s achievements can make a huge difference!
    • Feeling even more social? Follow Yosemite Conservancy on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and TikTok.
    • Show your support for Yosemite Conservancy by liking, commenting, and sharing our social media content. Your engagement helps spread the word about the important work we do in the park.
    • When sharing photos from your recent trip to Yosemite on social media, use the hashtag #YosemiteConnect. Every month, a photo tagged with #YosemiteConnect will be selected as our Photo of the Month and featured in our enewsletter and on our social media platforms.
    • If you’re a professional or semi-pro photographer with a love for the park, consider donating your Yosemite images to the Conservancy. This is an incredibly easy and impactful way to contribute, since beautiful park imagery is essential to help us build support for Yosemite.

      Made possible by donors to Yosemite Conservancy: Yosemite Nature Notes! Looking at a foggy scene of Yosemite Valley. In the foreground we see a dark row of conifers. Then a shrouded El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall. In the clouds we read the text Yosemite Nature Notes.

      Yosemite Nature Notes tells stories of Yosemite’s natural and cultural history – all in ten minutes or less!

    • Watch a Yosemite Nature Notes video on the Conservancy’s YouTube channel. These short films showcase many projects that Conservancy donors have helped fund over the years. You can find all 34 videos and counting!
    • Sign up for our monthly enewsletter to stay updated on the latest happenings in the park.
  • When visiting Yosemite National Park in the summer, consider trying the Yosemite Bike Share. It’s a great way to explore Yosemite Valley in a fossil-fuel-free way. Pro-tip: download the app beforehand so you’re ready to go when you arrive. The Yosemite Bike Share program is generously supported by Peet’s Coffee.
  • Stop by the Happy Isles Art and Nature Center. Open from April through October, the center features exhibits about Yosemite’s natural history. The art program occasionally sets up a free activity at a drop-in table. Additionally, the Happy Isles gift shop offers unique merchandise and local art.
  • Visit the Yosemite History Center in Wawona, and don’t forget to check out the Chinese Laundry Exhibit, supported by Conservancy donors Franklin and Sandra Yee.
  • You can attend a Parsons Memorial Lodge event in person during July and August in Tuolumne Meadows, or virtually through our recordings.
  • Are you a rock climber preparing for a trip to Yosemite? Whether you’re interested in cragging for an afternoon or summiting El Capitan, our Climbing Hub provides valuable resources to help you prepare for your adventure. Learn safety tips from professional climbers, and get up-to-date information on the current rules and regulations for obtaining big wall permits.
  • Apply for a wilderness permit via Recreation.gov. Did you know that Conservancy staff help support access to the Yosemite Wilderness? Our team is working behind-the-scenes with our National Park Service partners to facilitate every wilderness permit lottery application.

  • Show your appreciation for the Yosemite Conservancy volunteers who help to steward the park! These volunteers play an important role throughout Yosemite, from skilled art instructors to friendly visitor information assistants to strong work week crew members. If you are interested in joining their efforts, you can apply to become a volunteer. Even if you are unable to volunteer your own time, you can show your support for this impactful program by visiting the blue Yosemite Conservancy volunteer tents and expressing your gratitude during your next park visit.

    Yosemite Conservancy Centennial magazine 2023

    The Conservancy publishes a magazine biannually.

  • Check out our magazine! You can read the most recent edition of the biannual Conservancy magazine here online.
  • Support Yosemite’s efforts to become a zero-waste park by learning about the Zero Landfill Initiative, and taking small steps to be environmentally friendly during your visit. Bring a refillable water bottle, switch to a reusable propane canister, and take your bulk trash (such as broken camping equipment) with you when you leave. It’s that simple!
  • Customize your Zoom background with free, downloadable Yosemite wallpapers from the Conservancy, no strings attached! Take it a step further by encouraging anyone who compliments your backdrop or screensaver to join in the fun.
  • Watch a video compilation of shots from our critter cams! Donor-funded projects to protect various wildlife throughout Yosemite sometimes require hidden backcountry cameras for tracking purposes. Check out these outtakes and see how many species you can identify.
  • As you contemplate Yosemite’s biodiversity and the many endangered species that call the park home, keep in mind that vehicle collisions kill and injure bears, owls, and other animals every year. To show that you care for wildlife, make a mental note to drive slowly in the park and diligently follow posted road signs and speed limits.

Ways to financially support Yosemite through our nonprofit organization, the oldest philanthropic partner in the National Park Service:

  • Become a donor – every donation counts! In 2022, over 60,000 individuals donated to Yosemite Conservancy. By making a minimum donation of $25, you become a Friend of Yosemite and qualify for discounts on programs, merchandise, and more!
  • Join the Sequoia Society: By donating monthly, you receive the Friends of Yosemite benefits, you increase the impact of your gifts, and you can manage your giving conveniently and easily.
  • Include the Conservancy in your estate, will, trust, retirement plan, honor your love of Yosemite, and join the Legacy Society.
  • Host a birthday fundraiser on social media! It’s an easy way to share your love of Yosemite with friends and family.

    Showing how your cars can support Yosemite National Park. On the left we see Yosemite Falls on the right a specialty Yosemite plate that reads 4MYPARK

    What would your specialty license plate say for Yosemite?

  • Support the park and clear space in your garage or driveway by donating your unwanted vehicle. Believe it or not, the process is completely hassle-free.
  • Get a specialty license plate and show your love for Yosemite everywhere you drive.
  • Consider making a donation in honor or memory of someone important to you.
  • Support Yosemite Conservancy by donating to other charities and shopping with brands that give to the cause. Your indirect support is invaluable, and we’re grateful for the foundations and corporations that help fund critical work in the park.
  • Join a donor event and receive an invitation to our annual Spring Gathering with a gift of $25 or more. Discover more about this and other exclusive events that celebrate the support of Conservancy donors.
  • Become a leadership donor and join the John Muir Heritage Society by giving an annual gift of $1,000 or more. As a leadership donor, you’ll receive invitations to exclusive events throughout the year, both inside and outside the park. At these gatherings, you’ll have the opportunity to meet and hear from park leaders and experts, gaining an insider’s perspective on Yosemite.

    Supporters of Yosemite can donate when they stay at lodging in and around the park including spaces such as Curry Village seen here with their famous wooden archway that reads Camp Curry Welcome. Beyond the archway we see dogwood trees blooming and buildings.

    Staying in or around the park? You can easily donate a dollar a night to support Yosemite Conservancy during your stay.

  • Planning a visit to Yosemite? Check if your hotel or campground partners with the Conservancy through our Dollar-a-Night program. If they do, you can donate to support park projects for each night of your stay. While a dollar or three might not seem like much, those modest donations add up to a big benefit for the park! We’re grateful to the generous lodging partners and their guests who have teamed up with the Conservancy to show their love for Yosemite.
  • Support Yosemite through your workplace giving program! Contact your employer directly to learn more.

Retail Therapy – aka – Purchases that support Yosemite

  • Do you enjoy drinking coffee? Consider trying Peet’s Dos Sierras blend. This organic, bird-friendly, and you will help support the Conservancy as you get your morning lift.
  • Is your mug half full or Half Dome?
  • Do you have a Yosemite Junior Ranger in your family? Ensure that they have everything they need to continue deepening their love and knowledge of the park with our Junior Ranger collection.
  • Check out the Yosemite Collection from Parks Project, which donates millions of dollars to national parks.
  • Stay safe in the sun and look fashionable with a hat from Yosemite Conservancy. Check out the collection of hats here.
  • Stay hydrated with a Conservancy water bottle. It’s a sustainable and smart choice.

    Looking at the blue Half Dome trucker hat. Navy Front with a Half Dome patch and then white mesh sides. The hat is sitting on a woman's head. She is standing in nature, surrounded by trees.

    Half Dome Hat, an attractive trucker hat with adjustable band looks great in and out of the park.

  • If you’re prepping for your trip to Yosemite, remember to recreate responsibly and check out the available Yosemite maps.
  • Cheers! Athletic Brewing Company is one of the Conservancy’s corporate donors. Their non-alcoholic beers provide a refreshing drink after a hike.
  • Send snail mail in style with a set of Yosemite notecards from the Conservancy bookstore. Choose from two beautiful options: Yosemite in Color, featuring silk paintings of Yosemite; and Obata’s Yosemite note cards.
  • Do you know a puzzle enthusiast? Make sure they have a Yosemite Valley Jigsaw Puzzle featuring the historic map by artist Jo Mora.
  • Purchase camping gear and other outdoor equipment from our longtime partners at The North Face and REI Co-op!
  • Stickers! Keep Yosemite with you at all times on your water bottle, laptop case, and more.

Visit the Conservancy in Yosemite

  • Visit a Conservancy bookstore to support the park. Our Yosemite Valley bookstore is open year-round, and seasonal shops are available in Wawona, at the Big Oak Flat entrance station, the Mariposa Grove Depot, and Tuolumne Meadows.
  • Visit the Museum Store and gift shop, located in the Yosemite Museum building. This shop features artwork from local Indigenous community members, as well as books on California Indian history and more.
  • Join us for stargazing! From spring through fall, the Conservancy hosts stargazing programs for those curious about the dark night sky.
  • Join a naturalist walk! In spring, birding walks, and in summer, sunset strolls, are great opportunities to connect with the park.
  • Geek out with the Yosemite Field School! Have you ever wanted to spend a day with a Yosemite expert? Yosemite Field School programs feature park and professional scientists, and spend days going in-depth on specific topics.

    two smiling artist look at an easel with artwork next to the river

    Art classes offer opportunities to connect with both Yosemite and professional artists. See how their instruction changes your perspective on the park.

  • Awaken your inner artist at an art class. For over 40 years, the Conservancy Art Program has hosted professional artists who offer daily art classes in Yosemite Valley. These half-day classes are suitable for all skill levels. For further information, visit yosemite.org/art.
  • Indulge in an artful afternoon with a Wine and Paint Class. Every Friday from May to September, the Conservancy hosts a wine and paint class that comes with a beverage of your choice and a cheese tray.
  • Introduce your Junior Ranger to art in the park! Every summer the Conservancy hosts drop-in art classes for youth at the Happy Isles Art & Nature Center.
  • Visit Ostrander Ski Hut, located 10 miles beyond Badger Pass Ski Area in Yosemite National Park. This adventure is only for experienced backcountry skiers. When reservations become available each fall, they fill up quickly!
  • Backpack with us! Every year, the Conservancy’s experienced naturalist guides plan itineraries to iconic destinations in the Yosemite Wilderness. This is great for first-time backpackers or those looking to backpack with company and meet fellow park enthusiasts.
  • Consider trying a Custom Adventure. Work directly with a Conservancy staff member, who is an expert on Yosemite, to plan your guided trip. Together, we will design a program tailored to your interests and itinerary.

Get inspired by Yosemite Conservancy publications

Yosemite Conservancy has a long history of publishing materials to inform, educate, and inspire the public about the history, science, and beauty of Yosemite. Look for these titles in your local library, or buy a copy for your own collection.

Yosemite Conservancy publications:

For children:
Looking at Conservancy publications of different sizes and colors artfully arranged on a slab of granite.

The Conservancy has a publication for every member of the family.

For adults:
For naturalists:
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