Visitor Services in Yosemite

Teens Connect to Yosemite through WildLink

Underserved youth transcend barriers and become stewards.

Despite living only hours from Yosemite’s wilderness, many California youth don’t often visit the park. This reflects a larger national picture, which sees today’s youth spending half the amount of time outdoors than youth did 20 years ago.

For many underserved youth, Yosemite remains an inaccessible place. Barriers such as access to equipment and transportation, or community perceptions keep them away. Yosemite Conservancy has been changing this through ongoing Youth in Yosemite funding for programs such as WildLink.

WildLink offers youth that crucial first introduction to Yosemite and opens doors to other youth programs. Students are led on a five-day wilderness expedition, where they explore topics including air and water quality, cultural and natural history, and environmental conservation and stewardship. Their families and communities also become involved through outreach visits.

With your help, we are supporting life-changing programs, and connecting youth and families to new educational and outdoor opportunities.

Partnering with WildLink, Yosemite National Park, NatureBridge and the USDA Forest Service.

Watch Youth in Yosemite Videos

Yosemite Conservancy Videos

WildLink Alumni Explore Careers in Yosemite

WIldlink alumni explore careers in Yosemite.

Youth who have graduated from other WildLink programs have the opportunity to further their educational and professional development with WildLink Bridge. Six WildLink alumni participate in an intense, hands-on orientation program that inspires them to consider careers in Yosemite. During two weeks, this includes meeting with more than 30 professionals working and living in Yosemite, while participating in restoration field projects or completing a wilderness patrol.

This program provides a much needed bridge from other WildLink programs to career opportunities for these diverse and underserved teens. Creating a sense of home within national parks is critical to creating the next generation of park stewards. From this experience with WildLink Bridge, many alumni will go on to seek careers in related fields.

Thanks to your continued support, youth have that vital next step, taking them from education to careers in Yosemite.

Partnering with WildLink, Yosemite National Park, NatureBridge, and Delaware North Companies Parks and Resorts.

Watch Youth in Yosemite Videos

Yosemite Conservancy Videos

Wilderness Education Center at UC Merced

On campus wilderness center connects youth with Yosemite.

Caring for Yosemite shouldn’t stop at park borders. The Wilderness Education Center at the University of California, Merced, provides an incredible opportunity to connect Yosemite National Park with diverse youth in their own communities. This on-campus center provides awareness about natural and cultural resources through outreach, education and experience, while inspiring future leaders to think about issues affecting parks and wild places.

Through trips to Yosemite and on-campus speakers and events, the Wilderness Education Center is proactively reaching out to students so they can build relevancy to national parks in their communities. The center also provides primary support for the Yosemite Leadership Program (YLP) during the academic year.

By providing a place where youth can become engaged in national parks, we are creating a solid foundation for building relationships with Yosemite’s local communities.

Partnering with University of California, Merced and Yosemite National Park.

Yosemite Guide Mobile App

Visitors find Yosemite trip planning information through new apps.

In order to have a safe and enjoyable trip, visitors need the latest Yosemite information. This project is helping to modernize how visitors access park information by creating a mobile platform for the Yosemite Guide. Visitors will be able to download the most current information about roads, trails and activities conveniently from their mobile phone.

Given Yosemite’s dynamic natural environment, this platform will allow the National Park Service to update visitors with the most current trip-planning information. Improved visitor orientation will alleviate traffic congestion and allow people entering the park during off-hours to access current and accurate information at the touch of a button.

By improving how information is disseminated, we are making your visitor experience better. Thank you for supporting these efforts to improve everyone’s Yosemite visit.

Partnering with Yosemite National Park.

Experience Yosemite

Yosemite Leadership Program Summer Internship

Summer internship in Yosemite provides learning and leadership opportunities

Through your support, the internship program with the University of California, Merced, continues to grow. Each year, more students have the opportunity to connect to Yosemite and engage in learning and professional development for public-lands careers.

The two-year program, which includes a 12-week summer internship in Yosemite, exposes students to a range of learning and leadership experiences with the National Park Service and other park partners. For example, students may work alongside park staff in Wilderness Protection or Preventative Search and Rescue, where they gain practical, field-based experience. Students also complete a field journal and produce a video highlighting their summer experiences.

The internship culminates in a symposium held in Yosemite Valley where students present a professional applied project to the visiting public and park managers. These projects examine important park protection issues and serve as legacies long after the internship is completed.

Partnering with University of California, Merced and Yosemite National Park.

Yosemite Nature Notes Web Video Series

Explore Yosemite through this informative and visually stunning web series.

Yosemite Nature Notes are short 5- to 7–minute videos that take you to some of Yosemite’s most interesting places. Your online guides are park rangers, resource experts and fellow visitors.

Whether you are planning a trip or have returned from Yosemite, these videos are enjoyable ways to learn more about iconic features such as Yosemite Falls or Half Dome. You can even discover what frazil ice and moonbows are, and watch a narrated time-lapse of Yosemite’s stunning night skies.

Produced by an award-winning team that spends months in the park, this series has generated more than 6 million views in hundreds of countries. The images are beautiful and the stories fascinating. Best of all, you can instantly pass them along to your friends and family.

Thanks to your support, we continue to grow this library and build a resource that is reaching more people around the world.

Partnering with Yosemite National Park and Steven Bumgardner.

Watch Yosemite Nature Notes

Teens Connect to Yosemite through WildLink