Special Programs

Yosemite Forum

Yosemite Valley

An interactive lecture series designed to bring evolving knowledge of the Sierra Nevada to the public and the park. Sponsored by the Yosemite National Park Division of Resources Management and Science.

• Current schedule

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Stars Over Yosemite 2019

Glacier Point

During summer, amateur astronomy clubs host star parties at Glacier Point Amphitheater in cooperation with the National Park Service. The program is canceled if the sky is overcast.

June 21–22: Santa Cruz Astronomy Club (SCAC)
June 28–29: San Francisco Amateur Astronomers
July 5–6: Sacramento Valley Astronomical Society (SVAS)
July 12–13: Tri-Valley Stargazers
July 19–20: San Mateo County Astronomical Society
July 26–27: San Jose Astronomical Association
August 2–3: Peninsula Astronomical Society
August 9–10: Sonoma County Astronomical Society (S.C.A.S.)
August 16–17: MIRA Astronomy Club
August 23–24: Mount Diablo Astronomical Society
Aug 30–Sep 1: Central Valley Astronomers, Inc.

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Parsons Memorial Lodge

Summer Series 2019

Tuolumne Meadows

Schedule [275 kb PDF]

 

Annual Yosemite Facelift: September

Volunteer to help clean up Yosemite! Join the National Park Service and the Yosemite Climbing Association for this official National Public Lands Day event, picking up litter and performing special projects to clean up Yosemite after a busy summer. This event happens every year during the last full week in September, from Wednesday through Sunday. All volunteers must register on site to participate (no advance registration), and should wear long pants, closed-toed shoes, and be prepared for the weather. For more information contact 209/379-1850 or email us.

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Earth Day 2019

Yosemite National Park will be celebrating Earth Day, National Junior Ranger Day, National Park Week, and John Muir’s Birthday on Saturday, April 20, 2019. There will be activities for all ages throughout the day. All activities are free.

Join us at the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center in Yosemite Village from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. There will be music, games, and interactive booths. Meet with park rangers and park partners and learn how we are working to preserve and protect natural and cultural resources in Yosemite National Park.

Some of the day’s highlights include:

• Learn about how you can reduce waste at the sustainability booth. Bring an empty single-use camp propane canister and trade it in for a refillable propane canister.
• Junior rangers of all ages are welcome to explore the park on a special ranger-guided walk at 10:30 am and 1:00 pm.
• Join a park ecologist and learn about meadow restoration on a walk around Ahwahnee Meadow at 10:45 am.
• Connect with a park ranger and learn about bears and other wildlife that call Yosemite home.
• Express your love of Yosemite through a special art project brought to you by Yosemite Conservancy.
• Enjoy facepainting and other hands-on activities for all ages
• Join a photo walk at 11:00 am and explore Yosemite Valley through your camera’s lens with photographers from The Ansel Adams Gallery
• Learn sustainable gardening tips from the UC Mariposa Master Gardeners
• And much more!

Schedule

10:00 am: Music and Fun with Ranger Kate

10:15 am: Bioblitz Dance
Join a fun dance to celebrate Earth Day

10:30 am: Ranger-Guided Junior Ranger Walk
Walk lasts approximately 1 hour, families welcome

10:45 am: Ahwahnee Meadow Walk with an Ecologist
Walk lasts approximately 1 hour, families welcome

11:00 am: Yosemite Valley Photo Walk—Meet at the Ansel Adams Gallery
Walk lasts approximately 1 hour, families welcome

11:30 am: Junior Ranger Swearing-In Ceremony

11:45 am: Meet and Greet with Smokey Bear

12:00 pm: Story Time with Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax—Hosted by NatureBridge

12:30 pm: Join a Yoga Class for Park Rx Day—Hosted by Yosemite Medical Clinic
and Balanced Rock
Meet at the Yosemite Medical Clinic booth

12:30 pm: Bioblitz Dance
Join a fun dance to celebrate Earth Day

12:45 pm: Music and Fun with Ranger Kate

1:00 pm: Ranger Guided Junior Ranger Walk
Walk lasts approximately 1 hour, families welcome

1:30 pm: Meet and Greet with Smokey Bear

2:00 pm: Junior Ranger Swearing-In Ceremony