Yosemite Conservation Heritage Center
Yosemite Conservation Heritage Center
The Yosemite Conservation Heritage Center (formerly LeConte Memorial Lodge) was built by the Sierra Club in 1903-04. For over 100 years, a curator and Sierra Club volunteers have provided information to park visitors about Yosemite, the Sierra Nevada, and the national parks.
Volunteer
Yosemite Conservation Heritage Center Volunteer Team 2023
If you are interested in joining the Yosemite Conservation Heritage Center volunteers please contact Connor McIntosh at 209-230 -9943 (EDT) or connor.mcintosh@sierraclub.org. Open to all Sierra Club members, each volunteer week begins on a Saturday by 3:00 pm and ends the following Saturday at 1:00 pm or 4:00 pm. Shared campsites are available, however, no RVs, trailers, or pop-ups are permitted. Due to NPS regulations volunteers are not able to include family members, friends or pets.
Evening Programs
Yosemite Conservation Heritage Center Evening Programs in 2023
The Yosemite Conservation Heritage Center will offer three evening programs in 2023. Programs are free. Seating is limited to 50 guests.
Friday, May 5
Yosemite Landmarks: Origins and History of Yosemite’s Places and Names
Jeremy Evans, Nature Photographer, Filmmaker, Sierra Club Outings Leader, YCHC Volunteer
Did you wonder who explored and named Yosemite’s iconic landmarks? Join Jeremy on this evening of historic discovery.
Saturday, May 6
Amateur Astronomy and Astrophotography in Our National Parks and Public Lands
Jeremy Evans, Nature Photographer, Filmmaker, Sierra Club Outings Leader, YCHC Volunteer
Featuring images and videos from Yosemite, the High Sierra, Yellowstone, Death Valley, and the Southwest, Jeremy explores the wonder of the night sky and light pollution.
Friday, May 12: 8pm
Big Trees, Big Impact: Our Connection to Giant Sequoia
Lee Terkelsen, Nature and Historical Filmmaker
Three of the first four national parks were created to protect groves of Sequoia. Welcome to Lee’s new film project—the influence of Sequoia on history and environmental policy.
Yosemite Conservation Heritage Center Evening Programs in 2024
If you are an historian, photographer, naturalist, scientist, author, poet, musician or visual artist with a focus on Yosemite National Park and the High Sierra consider presenting a program at the Yosemite Conservation Heritage Center in 2023. All programs are scheduled for Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00 pm. Held at the YCHC, they are free and open to Yosemite National Park visitors. Please contact Connor McIntosh at 209-230 -9943 (EDT) or connor.mcintosh@sierraclub.org.
Watch our Video
Next time you visit Yosemite, stop by the beautiful granite-walled Yosemite Conservation Heritage Center.
Photo courtesy I-Ting Chiang
About the Lodge
The Sierra Club has operated the iconic Yosemite Conservation Heritage Center as a public education and visitor center since 1904. We promote the conservation ethic through public programs, educational displays, a library, and programs for kids and families.
Read MoreWHERE TO FIND US:
We are located at Bus Stop #12, across from the Housekeeping Camp, in Yosemite Valley. Bicycle parking available.
GPS Coordinates: N 37° 44.400 W 119° 34.76
Street Address: 9006 South Side Drive, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 755, Yosemite, CA 95389
The Center is open Wednesday through Sunday 10 am to 4 pm from May through September.
Connor McIntosh
Our Curator: Connor McIntosh
The current curator of the Yosemite Conservation Heritage Center is Connor McIntosh.
In 2023, Connor joined the Sierra Club as the Yosemite Conservation Heritage Center Curator with over a decade's worth of work in environmental and outdoor education within nonprofit and government sectors.Â
Learn moreSince its dedication in 1904, this building has served as a focal point for Sierra Club members and all visitors to Yosemite National Park who advocate for conservation and the national park idea.
Our History
The Sierra Club has had a long and close history with Yosemite National Park, of which this center is an important part. As our curator Bonnie Gisel says, "This is where the Sierra Club began its journey to the influential environmental organization it has become through the efforts of thousands of dedicated individuals and families."
Read moreWe gratefully acknowledge the Higman Endowment of the Sierra Club Foundation, which provides financial support to the Yosemite Conservation Heritage Center.