The Association at National Parks Family Day
By Johnny Moua, UC Merced Leadership Program Intern
On my first week as a UC Merced Yosemite Leadership Program Intern, I was asked to help represent the Yosemite Association at National Parks Family Day in Fresno. Soon it hit me that I had the momentous duty of representing an extraordinary non-profit organization that connects people of different backgrounds and age to enjoy, love, and experience what it Yosemite has to offer. As a newbie, I knew I had to do a little more research!
The National Parks Family Day was established six years ago by the Central California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the National Parks Conservation Association. The free community event, held in a park across from the Fresno Zoo, was created to foster stronger connections between the diverse residents of California’s Central Valley and our national parks.
There was a great turnout – approximately 200 people of all backgrounds and ages visited the Yosemite Association booth to learn about how we help support and connect people to the Park.
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In Memory of a Yosemite Icon
By Thomas Bowman, Emeritus Board Member
We were all saddened this past week to learn that a Yosemite icon had passed on. Nic Fiore was well known in skiing circles around the world and as the ambassador for winter sports in Yosemite. Yet in my memories, he was not just a great skier and hiker, but a great bicyclist as well. He participated in countless long-distance rallies, races, etc. His idea of a nice morning's ride was from Yosemite Village to White Wolf ----4000 vertical feet and 40 miles round trip! His legendary circuits of the High Sierra Camps in the summer were accomplished despite his stopping to talk with his many friends along the way.
My family spent many days camping, backpacking and moving between the High Sierra Camps. During these summer adventures, it seemed like we always found him or he would find us! His talents, summer or winter, were unmatched outside of perhaps the guides in the Swiss Alps. Most importantly, his enthusiasm and hospitality will long be remembered.
Welcome to Our New Membership & Development Director
The Yosemite Association has hired John Friedrich to be its new Membership and Development Director. John has 20 years experience in non-profit organizational leadership and related endeavors, the majority of which has been in the environmental field. Before joining the Yosemite Association, John worked most recently in the Sierra Nevada Alliance Land Use program and served as Program Director for the League to Save Lake Tahoe.
“I’m excited to join the Yosemite Association to further our mission of cultivating stewards for Yosemite National Park by helping people develop a deeper, life-long connection to the Park,” said John. “National Parks are indeed one of America’s Best Ideas, and no park is more spectacular, inspiring and worthy of investment than Yosemite.”
A Park for All People: Seeking Volunteers for Fee Free Weekends
The National Park Service is providing free entrance of all of the National Parks, including Yosemite, for three weekends this summer. The Yosemite Association and Yosemite Fund will be greeting visitors and collecting park-supporting donations at Yosemite entrances during the next two “Fee Free Weekends” on July 18-19 and August 15-16. We are seeking volunteers to be stationed at each entrance, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on each of the upcoming fee free weekend days.
Those who have participated in similar efforts in previous years report that it is a very rewarding experience. If you are interested in being part of the volunteer meet and greet team, please email John Friedrich, Membership and Development Director for the Association, at jfriedrich@yosemite.org. Please specify which day(s) you are available, and which entrance gate would work best for you. Thank you.
Granite Frontiers: A Century of Yosemite Climbing June 12–October 4, 2009
The Autry National Center in Los Angeles invites the public to meet the people who pioneered modern rock climbing and those who are taking it in incredible new directions in its new exhibition Granite Frontiers: A Century of Yosemite Climbing.
We encourage all Association members in the L.A. area during the exhibit to come and experience the history and excitement of these granite pioneers. The Yosemite Association will be joining the Autry and KCET in Los Angeles for a special event on August 15. Yosemite Association members can visit the exhibition FREE with valid membership card.
Take Your Family on an Outdoor Adventure!
Family Camping Jamborees programs in July and in August still have space available for your family. These Tuolumne Meadows Campground events are a great way to facilitate a family bond with the natural world. You bring the tent and the kids; we’ll do the cooking and cleaning and activities. Sign up on-line or call Holly at 209/379-2321, ext. 17
Our trip to hike and study natural history in our sister national parks in China still has space available. On October 9 we meet in Hangzhou to start our exploration of these two remarkable mountain landscapes. Call Pete at 209/379-2321, ext. 12 if you’ve got questions. An exotic discovery awaits.
Regional Meetings to Discuss Merced River Plan
Yosemite National Park is reopening public scoping for planning and environmental impact analysis for a new Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement. Public scoping comments will be accepted through August 29, 2009. Share your ideas at upcoming public meetings, all scheduled from 4 – 8 p.m:
July 13: Fresno, REI, 7810 N. Blackstone Ave
July 16: Oakhurst, Community Center, 39800 ROad 425 B
July 22: Mariposa, Government Center (2nd floor), 5100 Bullion St.
July 28: Mono Basin Visitors Center, Hwy 395, Lee Vining
July 29: Yosemite Valley, East Auditorium, Yosemite National Park
July 30: Groveland, Community Hall
34th Annual Fall Gathering in Wawona!
Invitations will be sent to Yosemite Association members next week for our 34th Annual Fall Gathering in Wawona October 3rd. Please be on the lookout for yours as it will contain important lodging information and registration forms.
The Fall Gathering is exclusively for Association members, and will include morning interpretive walks, lunch, interesting speakers, a fundraising raffle and auction, book signings, a wine and cheese reception. This year’s speakers will include world-renowned photographers Karl Kroeber and Mike Osborne, photographers of First Light, Not a member? Join us by clicking here.
The Association comes to Fresno September 9th
Please join us for a special event in Fresno September 9th at the K-Jewel/Kono Studio on 1415 Fulton St at 6:00pm. We will have a reception with a special message from Shelton Johnson, prominently featured star of Ken Burn’s upcoming America’s Best Idea airing on PBS September 27th.
Join us for wine and refreshments and a special preview of Americas Best Idea.
K-Jewel Gets the Word Out
K-Jewel is proud to support the community through Public Service Announcements each week. A public service announcement featuring Association CEO David Guy aired the week of 6/22-6/28. For more information visit www.kjwl.com
Bracebridge Tickets Still Available!
Yosemite Association is offering raffle tickets courtesy of DNC Parks & Resorts for a Bracebridge Dinner at the Ahwahnee. Each raffle ticket is $10 and the lucky winner will receive two tickets to the famed Renaissance spectacle, fantastic Ahwahnee feast, and one night's stay at the Yosemite Lodge at Yosemite.
To order your tickets call our office at 209 379-2317 or send a check with a note indicating you would like to purchase Bracebridge raffle tickets to P.O. Box 230 El Portal, CA 95318 or look for a return envelope in the next issue of the journal. The winning ticket will be drawn at our annual Fall Gathering in Wawona October 3rd. Need not be present to win!
Picture from the Park
Association member, Rick Deutsch led crew from Wales up Half Dome in Mid-June in order to raise funds for Search and Rescue in Wales.
