Yosemite Conservancy
Birnam Wood Country Club was the location of a dinner for a special group of folks who contribute to the Yosemite Conservancy. This was hosted by Don Fuhrer who has been a “keeper” of Yosemite for many years. He even owns a cabin in the park. The president of the Yosemite Conservancy, Frank Dean, was visiting and so was Superintendent of Yosemite Mike Reynolds.
The conservancy partnership with the park goes back to 1923 when the Yosemite Museum Association was established as the first non-profit to help. Their mission: “Yosemite Conservancy inspires people to support projects and programs that preserve Yosemite and enrich the visitor experience.” Every year the Yosemite community provides indispensable support to the park, funding projects that protect rare species, restore trails and habitat, preserve cultural resources and create positive experiences for all visitors. It is a protected home for about 90 mammal species and it has one of the tallest water falls in the world, Yosemite falls, thundering down 2,425 feet.
In 2019 Yosemite needed funding for more than three dozen new grants. Our gifts will help scientists study rare amphibians, mountain lions, and red foxes; build resilience among endangered bighorn sheep; and engage climbers in protecting cliff-dwelling falcons and bats. There are less told stories including honoring American Indians who have lived in Yosemite for millennia to educating visitors about the role Chinese laborers played in the park’s pioneer era. Plus there are always the wilderness areas to protect and trails to restore (800 miles of them).
As Mike said, “We call it friend raising.” They need many thousands of dollars for all the programs including educating the next generation so the park will still be there waiting for them. Some of the donors attending were Jim Frank, Jack and Sheri Overall, and Anne Towbes. Other major contributors unable to attend were Peter Hilf, George Diskant, Nora McNeely–Hurley, and Henry Nevins. To help provide for Yosemite’s future call 415.434.1782 or log on to yosemiteconservancy.org.
