P.O. Box 577
Yosemite, CA 95389
www.nps.gov/yose/news

209 372-0529 phone
209 372-0371 fax

April 22, 2002
For Immediate Release

Yosemite National Park Kicks off National Park Week With Earth Day Celebrations

Yosemite National Park celebrated Earth Day with a variety of stewardship and educational activities intended to improve the visitor's understanding of the park and what the National Park Service and its partners are doing to further protect Yosemite.

"Our park visitors should walk away with a sense of ownership as well as an understanding that they also play a vital role in protecting Yosemite National Park for future generations," said Superintendent David Mihalic.

Among the variety of activities offered on Earth Day were:

• Volunteer stewardship projects including clean-up activities and removal of old asphalt paths
  
• A celebration on the mall in Yosemite Village including displays on the National Park Service's sustainability practices, bear management program, and the Discovery Van, staffed by The Discovery Center Staff and US Forest Service.
  
• An evening program that included a re-enactment of Dr. Suess's The Lorax and a musical presentation by Yosemite Park Rangers
  

Activities were coordinated with Yosemite National Park partners including Yosemite Concession Services Corporation, Ansel Adams Art Gallery, Yosemite Institute, and the Yosemite Association. Partners led volunteer efforts and other Earth Day activities.

Yosemite National Park will also be featured on the Travel Channel on Earth Day as part of their celebration of National Park Week. Hidden Yosemite was produced with the National Park Foundation and explores what happens behind the scenes in Yosemite National Park.

-NPS-