Get involved!

“The result of the Yosemite General Management Plan will be that visitors can step into Yosemite and find nature uncluttered by piecemeal stumbling blocks of commercialism, machines and fragments of suburbia” –General Management Plan, 1980

Why is it important for me to get involved with park planning?
The mission of the National Park Service is to preserve the resources that contribute to Yosemite’s uniqueness and attractiveness, and to make these varied resources available to people for their enjoyment, education and recreation-- now and into the future.

Planning for Yosemite relies upon scientific research and a diversity of perspectives. Hearing your thoughts, experiences, and ideas is crucial for park staff as they plan and manage our national parks into the future. Planners may have a specialized knowledge of Yosemite, or some aspect of it, but what we don’t know is what matters to you.

Your choice to participate and comment on park plans/projects ensures a more thorough and complete plan or project. We not only need to hear from you, we want to hear from you because your comment can make a difference.

How can I make a comment?
Public comment participation can take many forms: workshops, open houses, letters, emails, and visiting. To help navigate the process we’ve created a guide to making public comments. Information on planning in Yosemite can be found in the following places:

News releases
Park Website
E-newsletter
Planning Updates

These documents can be received by email by signing up to be on our planning mailing list.

Additionally, monthly public open houses in the park and public meetings in outlying communities can provide opportunities to learn about projects and make comments. Click here for a schedule of upcoming public open houses and public meetings. Public comments can also come to the park by contacting us via letters and emails.

In 2005 the National Park Service created a public comment portal: Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) for all plans and projects undertaken by the NPS requiring National Environmental Policy Act(NEPA) documentation.