Did you know you can get texts from Yosemite? Text ‘YNPtraffic’ to 333111 for real time updates from the National Park Service.
Description: shows someone picking up a phone, Yosemite Falls, texts from Yosemite, Vernal Fall. #yosemite #yosemitenationalpark
Have you ever heard of bird banding? And no, it’s not feathered friends jamming together (unfortunately). Welcome to Yosemite Science’s introduction to bird banding. Let us know if you have any bird or bird banding related questions in the comments!
Bird banding is when trained and permitted scientists capture birds, collect data, and then release the birds back into the wild. Thanks in part to Conservancy donors, The Institute of Bird Populations, and Yosemite National Park, Yosemite has been a key bird banding location for decades, contributing critical data to important scientific understanding of bird populations and behavior over time.
If you would like to see bird banding for yourself, consider joining Yosemite Conservancy on the upcoming Yosemite Field School: Bird Banding program, June 11-12. Or if you have a general interest in birds, there are Birding and Birding and Wildlife walks taking place on Mondays and Wednesdays in Yosemite Valley through June 9. You can find out more about both these programs and more at yosemite.org/experience
Visual description: A series of scenes pass by where we see scientists carefully handling birds at a work station in a forest. We see a table with clipboards and various tools. The scientists handle the songbirds carefully, moving their wings to look at their feathers, tucking birds into little tubes to weigh them, and pausing to jot down data. There are also scenes of the scientists releasing the birds and the birds either creep up a tree or fly off. #Yosemite #birdbanding #birds
What a great day for conservation!
We celebrated Amphibian Week by joining our partners, @yosemiteconservancy@usfws and @nationalparkservice@californiadfw by recognizing the 10th year of our California red-legged frog rear and release program, and the 10,000th frog to be released into Yosemite National Park.
We were honored to be among the speakers at this milestone event, that included, Rob Grasso, Aquatic Ecologist and Ray McPadden, Superintendent Yosemite National Park, Kim Turner, Acting Field Supervisor, Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office, Krista Tomlinson, Environmental Program Manager California Department of Fish and Wildlife, our own Cassandra Costello, Executive Director, SF Zoo and Schuyler Greenleaf, Chief of Projects, Yosemite Conservancy, hosted by Scott Gediman of Yosemite National Park.
Students from a local school released dozens of frogs into Cook’s Meadow, which included the symbolic 10,000th frog, nicknamed “Twain,” honoring Mark Twain, author of The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County.
#sfzoo #frog #amphibianweek 🐸🐸
Look who's home! This is the time of year when we begin to see the return of migratory bird species to Yosemite Valley. Has anyone spotted the bright red-orange head and yellow body of the Western Tanager or the orange and black displays of the Black-headed Grosbeak yet? Or perhaps you've heard their distinctive calls?
Happy World Migratory Bird Day where we celebrate our feathered friends who often migrate incredible distances between their winter grounds and breeding habitats! Western Tanagers and Black-headed Grosbeaks come up to Yosemite during their breeding season and then go to winter in the warmth in Mexico and sometimes even further south.
To learn more about Yosemite's birds, join us on one the Conservancy's 'Birding in Yosemite Valley' and "Birding and Wildlife Walk in Yosemite Valley'. These guided naturalist programs meet on Mondays and Wednesdays until June 9. Great for beginners and avid birders alike! Learn more about these programs at the link in our bio to /naturalist-walks
Photo credits:
Male Western Tanager by Austin Dillman
Male Black-headed Grosbeak by Marie Read
One small hop for frog-kind, one giant leap for conservation: over ten years ago a team of scientists from @yosemitenps and the @sanfranciscozoo began a bold experiment with the California red-legged frog (CRLF) by wading around a small pond in the Sierra collecting precious egg masses.
Happy Amphibian Week from Yosemite! Today we’re featuring the All Land is Beautiful podcast episode “They Held On, Someone Stepped In: Bringing Back the California Red-Legged Frog, with Rob Grasso (Yosemite NP)” - available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify - where you can hear the conservation story of CRLF from early egg mass retrievals all the way to Yosemite Valley.
What’s your favorite amphibian to see in Yosemite?
This critical conservation work is made possible through incredible partnerships between Yosemite National Park, the San Francisco Zoo, and the generosity of @yosemiteconservancy donors.
*Video clips show the pond where CRLF eggs are collected and the containers they’re stored in, then show mature CRLF that have been reared and relocated to Yosemite NP.
May in Yosemite: an abundance of beauty, activities, and joy. Will we see you in the park this month?
Additional note: the shuttle is now running in the Mariposa Grove.
Visual description: slowly panning across a view of Yosemite Valley from Dewey Point. You can see El Capitan and Half Dome in the distance.
#yosemite #NoTrendingAudio
TGIF: Paint and Sip returns this Friday, May 1 for the 2026 season. Dip your toes into the world of watercolor in this playful, supportive class!
Join Yosemite Conservancy's Art Program from 2-4 pm every Friday afternoon from May 1 to August 28. You’ll learn the basics of watercolor and paint onto a pre-sketched Yosemite landscape, with the step-by-step guidance of a friendly local artist.
No matter your skill level, you’ll walk away with an understanding of simple painting techniques, color mixing, and a unique Yosemite masterpiece!
Painting supplies, instruction, a charcuterie plate, and a beverage (wine and non-alcoholic options) are included in your registration fee. Learn more and register at yosemite.org/event/yosemite-wine-and-paint/
Description: Looking at a table mid art class we see delicious snacks, beverages, and art supplies, and the beginnings of beautiful paintings of Half Dome.
Superintendent here with another #YosemiteBearTeam update. Before you hit the road, let’s go over some simple tips on how safe driving helps protect Yosemite’s wildlife. 🐾
You’ve probably noticed those red bear signs along the roads of Yosemite. But did you know that each one marks a spot where a bear has been struck by a car – this year! They’re a clear reminder to take it easy and watch for crossing wildlife. Speeding is one of the top reasons bears and lots of other wildlife get hurt on our roads every year.
From recognizing these signs to knowing when and where to reduce your speed, your choices behind the wheel can save lives. Swipe to learn how safe driving protects both you and Yosemite’s wild residents.
📸 Ready to join the team? Share how you’re helping protect black bears during your Yosemite trip using #YosemiteBearTeam!
#YosemiteNationalPark #KeepBearsWild #DriveSafe
1: Red bear dead bear sign posted on the side of road. Small white dog with ranger hat on right side. Photo credit(s): Courtey of NPS.
2: American black bear crossing road in Yosemite Valley. Small white dog with ranger hat on left side. Photo credit(s): NPS/ Caitlin Lee-Roney.
3: An adult American black bear with an ear tag and GPS collar in Yosemite Meadow. Small white dog with ranger hat on right side. Photo credit(s): Jessica Hadley.
4: American black bear running across the street in Yosemite Valley. Red bear dead bear sign on the right. Small white dog with ranger hat on left side. Photo credit(s): Yosemite Conservancy/ Keith Walklet, Courtesy of NPS.
5: An American black bear cub in a tree. Small white dog with ranger hat on left side. Photo credit(s): Ryan Kelly.
6: A small American black bear with an ear tag and GPS collar in a tree. Small white dog with ranger hat on right side. Photo credit(s): Jessica Hadley.
7: An American black bear sunbathing by Tuolumne River. Small white dog with ranger hat on right side. Photo credit(s): Ted Goldstein.
A fun activity for Semillitas Outdoors week: Going to get a librito at your community library or local bookstore to share with your little one 📖🥹🌳
Some of our favorites!
~ Leo's Lobo By Melissa Cristina Márquez
~ Forest en Familia / El Bosque en Familia By Cynthia Harmony
~ Platanos Are Love By Alyssa Reynoso-Morris
~ The Book of Unknown Americans By Cristina Henríquez
~ Bud Finds Her Gift By Robin Wall Kimmerer
~ Pepe Plantasemillas By Latino Outdoors (free bilingual digital version on our website or get a physical copy on our merch page! link in bio💚)
#books #childrensbooks #SemillitasOutdoors #CommunityImpact #LatinoOutdoors #communidad #familia
What is your favorite analog activity to do? We’re back with artist Santiago in Cook’s Meadow this time learning more about his background with printmaking. Learn about how the sound of the ink and the feel of the paper all form his process.
“The reason that I really love block printing is that it’s truly an analog art form… no two pieces are identical.” - Santiago.
You can find Santiago’s Conservancy collection online at: /collections/meet-the-artist
Description: Santiago is printmaking on a boardwalk in Cook’s Meadow. Behind him we see Yosemite Valley’s granite walls and the flowing Yosemite Falls. There are close ups views of his printing process, showing him inking the plates, arranging the print block with fresh paper, pulling the gears to feed the block and paper through the press, and finally revealing the finished artworks on the other side. #yosemite #art #printmaking #bts
Happy Earth Day from Yosemite Valley. Let's pull back the curtain on some of the behind-the-scenes sustainability work that keeps this park thriving — and show you exactly what your support makes possible on the ground:
Single-Use Plastic Reduction — Conservancy staff are working to eliminate single-use plastics from retail offerings and operations, prioritizing plastic packaging materials and non-essential plastic materials in merchandise.
Zero Landfill Initiative — in partnership with Subaru, NPCA, and the National Park Foundation, we helped divert millions of pounds of waste from local landfills through upgraded recycling infrastructure and water bottle refill stations
Composting & Propane Canister Pilots — expanding the composting program and increasing awareness of reusable propane canister options to keep hazardous and organic waste out of landfills
Yosemite Bike Share — Providing visitors with a free, low-impact way to explore Yosemite Valley while reducing vehicle emission
Protecting and preserving Yosemite takes all of us to ensure that the park we love so much remains healthy and inspiring for generations to come. Thank you for your support!
Description: Yosemite Conservancy staff with Yosemite Bike Share bikes post in front of Yosemite Falls in Yosemite Valley.
Do you have something special that reminds you of a trip to Yosemite? Meet the Artist: Santiago
Slow down and spend a moment with Santiago, a talented printmaker and Yosemite local, in Cook’s Meadow where he explains his process and the hope for his art to have a positive impact in the world.
“For me, this is a project, of sharing beauty with people. I believe that beauty is a necessity for everybody’s wellbeing.” - Santiago
You can find Santiago’s Conservancy collection online at: shop.yosemite.org/collections/meet-santiago
Description: Santiago is printmaking on a boardwalk in Cook’s Meadow. Behind him we see Yosemite Valley’s granite walls and the flowing Yosemite Falls. There are close ups views of his printing process, showing him inking the plates, arranging the print block with fresh paper, pulling the gears to feed the block and paper through the press, and finally revealing the finished artworks on the other side. #yosemite #printmaking #art
