Special Programs

Yosemite Forum

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 2021

Updates on the status of Stars Over Yosemite programs for 2021 will be posted here when available. Programs were cancelled for the 2020 season due to public health guidance.

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Parsons Memorial Lodge Summer Series

Even at a distance, the Parsons Memorial Lodge continues to be a gathering place for our most creative ideas. Perched near the Sierra crest at an elevation of 8,600 feet, and close to where the bubbling waters of Soda Springs return to the air for the first time in millennia, we are invited to ask questions that are deep, lofty, and difficult. How do we live sustainably on this planet? How can we honor and protect the non-human world of nature? How does nature connect us to sorrow and to joy? How do we nurture hope? The Parsons Memorial Lodge Summer Series invites scientists, poets, philosophers, storytellers, and people like you from far and wide to weigh in on this ongoing conversation.

Join us in person for these offerings as we work toward a full schedule of programs in the future.

Masks will be required for entry to Parsons Lodge. Due to COVID, space is limited. Thank you for your support.

Allow 30 minutes walking time to Parsons Memorial Lodge from either Lembert Dome/Soda Springs Road parking area or the Soda Springs trailhead east of the Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center. Admission is free.

Saturday, August 7

Acoustic Blessings

2:00–3:30 pm

An afternoon of music with mountain musicians.

Sunday, August 8

Acoustic Blessings

2:00–3:30 pm

An afternoon of music with mountain musicians.

Saturday and Sunday, August 14 & 15

25^th Annual Tuolumne Meadows Poetry Festival

Afternoon readings with music featuring Mas Masumoto,

Tess Taylor, and Jan Hirshfield and musician Shira Kammen

Saturday, August 14

2:00–3:30 pm: Featured poets and music

7:00–9:00 pm: Open reading and music

Sunday, August 15

10:00–11:30 am: Poetry workshop with Tess Taylor

Saturday, July 24

Expanding Community Through Wildlife Research

Insights from the NPS Terrestrial Wildlife Crew

2:00–3:30 pm

A talk by Sarah Sugarman and the Yosemite National Park terrestrial wildlife biologist crew.

Saturday, July 31

Exploring Worlds of Wonder: Thinking Like a Naturalist

2:00–3:30 pm

A talk by John Muir Laws scientist, author, artist, explorer and instructor.

Sunday, August 1

Journaling Saunter in Nature

A walk with John Muir Laws

9:00–11:00 am

Meet at Parsons Lodge for a ramble. Bring notebook and pencil.

Land Consciousness and Speaking Histories

2:00–3:30 pm

A talk by Francisco Cantú writer, translator, and author of The Line Becomes a River.

This project made possible by the National Park Service and through the generosity of the Yosemite Conservancy donors and the Friends of Parsons Lodge.

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Annual Yosemite Facelift: September

September 22-26, 2021

In partnership with the Yosemite Climbing Association, the National Park Service puts on this five-day event each September, in celebration of National Public Lands Day. In 2019 over 2,000 volunteers cleaned up 16,429 pounds of debris from the park. The 2020 event was a virtual celebration, challenging participants to Act Local in their own communities. In 2021, the event is modified as follows:

• All Facelift-related activity takes place outdoors.
• Volunteers are strongly encouraged to clean on their own or with their household pods, and are asked to avoid large gatherings.
• No in-person evening programming is offered. Speakers and video will be streamed. For more information, go to www.yosemitefacelift.com.
• A reservation system is currently in place to visit Yosemite National Park. All event participants must register in advance and will receive an event confirmation. Participants are required to bring a printed or digital copy of the event confirmation and a photo ID to enter Yosemite National Park. If you did not pre-register to attend Facelift, admittance to Yosemite National Park as part of the event will not be allowed. You will be turned away at the park’s entrance gate.

Learn more about the Yosemite Facelift event.

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