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Every corner of Yosemite National Park tells a story of resilience, beauty, and community. This past year, incredible strides were made to protect its natural wonders, enhance visitor experiences, and celebrate the park’s cultural heritage. These achievements highlight the collective care of all who cherish this extraordinary place — whether through contributions, volunteer efforts, or a shared love for Yosemite.  

Reflecting on these milestones, it’s clear that every act of support — big or small — plays a vital role in preserving Yosemite’s unparalleled beauty and fostering meaningful connections to its natural and cultural heritage. From trail restoration to youth education, these efforts leave a tangible mark on this cherished landscape.  

Below are some of the stand-out highlights from projects funded by Yosemite Conservancy donors in 2024! 

 

Trail Rehabilitation and Access  

World-class crews maintained and repaired hundreds of miles of Yosemite trails to uplift local ecosystems and visitor safety. In 2024, the Conservancy funded trail projects that supported:  

  • Critical repairs and trail maintenance on the legendary trails of Yosemite Valley, with emphasis on the John Muir Trail below Nevada and Yosemite Falls. 
  • 15+ youth crewmembers from the California Conservation Corps to restore highly trafficked trails throughout the park — including the Tenaya zig-zags, the Four-Mile trail, and Upper Yosemite Falls trail.  
Yosemite in 2024: Photo of volunteers in bright vests unloading a truck of seedlings and plants.

Volunteers unload and prepare trays of native plants for vital rehabilitation. These efforts are key to restoring Yosemite’s ecosystems, ensuring the health and resilience of the park’s natural landscapes.

 

Wildlife Management  

Park biologists supported healthy ecosystems and species in Yosemite through year-round research and monitoring efforts. With Conservancy support this year, park staff were able to:  

  • Reintroduce 1,300+ endangered and threatened amphibians — Yosemite toads, California red-legged frogs, and Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs — at 10 park sites.  
  • Develop novel methods to study Yosemite’s 17 bat species, including ways to find and access nests, collaborate with bat biologists, and engage visitors in bat research.  
  • Track population sizes and movement patterns for the elusive Pacific Fisher and the Great Gray Owl — 10,000+ and 44,000+ location data points, allowing for better understanding and management of these species.
  • Dynamically protect peregrine falcon nests and allow rock climbers access to big walls as soon as falcons successfully fledge their young.
  • Contribute significant knowledge and data on the Sierra Nevada Red Fox, Big Horn Sheep, songbirds, and Spotted Owls to support ongoing species recovery efforts. 
a spotted owl fledling covered in brown and white looks into the camera while perched on a branch with orange blur in the background.

A California spotted owl fledgling perched gracefully, showcasing the beauty of one of Yosemite’s iconic species.

 

Habitat Restoration  

Donor support keeps habitats resilient, so visitors today and tomorrow can experience and appreciate healthy ecosystems. This year:  

  • The journey to restore Ackerson Meadow — one of the largest mid-elevation meadows in the Sierra Nevada — continued with species monitoring, invasive plant treatments, native seed collection, and more.  
  • Wilderness restoration crews restored 750+ wilderness sites in Yosemite.  
  • 2,300 native seeds were planted, and a 1,024 linear foot trail was rerouted in Puppy Dome Meadow.   
  • Hazardous fuels were removed from Black Oak groves in the Valley by five young adult tribal crews.  
  • Yosemite Ancestral Stewards planted 1,860 plants along the Tenaya Lake Loop trail. 
10 people in bright vests stand along a large fallen tree trunk and assess.

NPS staff and support work in Merced Grove to support critical restoration efforts in the giant sequoia ecosystems and the surrounding forest’s resilience.*

  

Scientific Research  

From studying pollinators to surveying hikers, research helped protect natural resources and improve visitor experiences. In 2024:  

  • A group of six volunteers completed the annual health survey of all large sequoias in the park, assessing the response of 634 trees to fire, drought, and insect attacks.  
  • GIS specialists began the arduous process of developing a public resource for current park data on the web.  
  • NPS staff installed 19 new monitoring transects in the park to document the alpine plant communities’ response to climate change.  
  • 6,173 bee specimens were collected at high-elevation sites inside the park that had not previously (ever) been sampled.  
photo of someone kneeling and reaching out to a plant seedling

Native seedlings sprout in Ackerson Meadow as part of a major restoration effort. Using seeds collected by dedicated volunteers, this project is helping to revive critical habitats and restore the meadow’s natural beauty.

 

Cultural and Historic Preservation  

These projects helped preserve historical resources and share the stories of people who have shaped Yosemite’s story — from millennia ago to today. With Conservancy support this year:  

  • Yosemite National Park completed an environmental assessment to develop a plant gathering agreement with traditionally associated Tribes.  
  • A series of five cultural events — including the Parsons Memorial Lodge Summer Series and Obata Art events — reached nearly 10,000 visitors.  
  • The third annual United in Yosemite event created opportunities for community and mentorship amongst climbers from historically marginalized communities.  
  • Park staff produced a three-part video series on sharing cultural traditions that plays in the Yosemite Valley Museum, and has already been viewed by 500,000 people online.  
photo of someone sitting on the ground with many others. the person in the front is teaching an art class.

Participants immerse themselves in creativity during an Obata art class at Yosemite’s Obata Art Weekend 2024, surrounded by the inspiring beauty of Yosemite Valley and guided by expert instruction.

Visitor Services and Education  

Each year, Yosemite Conservancy supports an array of visitor-focused projects in the park. In 2024, the Conservancy funded efforts to create a more inclusive park for all:   

  • Eight interns joined the Climbing Stewardship program to help inspire, educate, and promote safe and sustainable rock climbing practices, and the 10th anniversary of the Ask a Climber program connected with 18,000+ visitors at the El Capitan meadow.  
  • The Conservancy, the National Park Service, and the Great Basin Institute partnered to employ a Tribal research associate to provide logistical and physical support to the Yosemite Ancestral Stewards Crew.   
  • Park administration piloted a reservation program to work toward increased efficiency at entrance gates, a reduction of traffic lines at entrances, and better technology.  
  • 859 National Park Service and Conservancy volunteers donated 7,723 work hours to support Yosemite resource stewardship projects.  
  • Interpretive rangers produced two new Yosemite Nature Notes Films on Tuolumne in winter and the Yosemite Toad. 
photo of prople with blue hardhats assessing trees in the wilderness. blue skies and clouds and mountains in the background.

Volunteers navigate through Yosemite’s wilderness, dedicating their efforts to vital restoration projects that help protect the park’s natural beauty and resilience.

 

Youth in Yosemite  

Yosemite’s future depends on its future champions and donor support funds programs that inspire the next generation of park-lovers. In 2024:  

  • The Youth Leadership Program held 13 field trips for 1,200+ fourth-graders in Yosemite.  
  • Park Rangers distributed 20,000+ junior ranger badges and hosted 500 programs reaching 10,000+ junior rangers and families.  
  • The WildLink program connected 460+ youth participants to wilderness via overnight expeditions and community projects.  
  • The Adventure Risk Challenge program facilitated three summer courses to help teens from underserved communities connect with nature and build academic skills.  
  • The Parks in Focus program hosted 27 middle-school participants for multi-day camping experiences that included immersive outdoor learning and creative photography activities.  
photo of a national park service ranger in Yosemite talking in a group of people.

A Yosemite ranger dialogues with a Junior Ranger, inspiring the next generation to explore, protect, and cherish the park’s natural and cultural treasures.

  

Be Part of Yosemite’s 2025 Story

The progress made in 2024 — trail restoration, wildlife protection, cultural preservation, and more — was made possible by the dedication of those who love Yosemite. The work doesn’t stop. Your support is essential to continue protecting and enhancing this extraordinary park. 


Make Your 2025 Gift