Photo by Jeremy Evans
The Sierra Club sponsors regular evening and daytime programs at the Yosemite Conservation Heritage Center during the summer.
Programs held at the the Center are indicated as "Bus Stop #12." Other programs held elsewhere in Yosemite Valley are indicated by appropriate bus stops.
PLEASE NOTE: Specific programs are subject to change or rescheduling. Please call ahead if you wish to attend a specific program at (209) 372-4542. Seating for each program held at the Center is limited to seating of 50 guests
Yosemite Conservation Heritage Center - Programs 2019
Interpretive Programs are held in the YCHC, Shuttle Bus Stop #12. Free and open to the public, all programs are limited to 50 guests, due to NPS restrictions and space limitations. No advanced tickets are available. Tickets are distributed at 7:15 pm on the evening of the program. Doors open at 7:45 pm.
____________________________________________________________
MAY
Friday, May 3
Jeremy Evans, Nature Photographer/Filmmaker/Sierra Club Outings Leader
“Yosemite’s Landmarks: Origins and History of Yosemite’s Places & Names”
Did you wonder who explored and named Yosemite’s iconic landmarks? Saunter with Jeremy on this evening of historic discovery.
Saturday, May 4
Evan Russel, Curator, Ansel Adams Gallery and Michael Wise, Fine Print Specialist, Ansel Adams Gallery
“What Does A Mountain Mean? Ansel Adams and His First Years in the Sierra”
Adams Adams was the caretaker of the YCHC from 1920-1923. A new program for the YCHC.
Sunday, May 5
Tom Bopp, John Muir Historian and Celebrated YNP Musician
“John Muir and Teddy Roosevelt: Yosemite 1903”
An Evening of historic revelry as Tom takes us on the journey with Roosevelt and Muir in Yosemite.
Friday, May 10
Dr. Gray A. Brechin, Department of Geography, University of California
“Rediscovering Architect Herbert Maier: A New Deal Renaissance of Arts & Crafts Architecture in the National Parks”
Discover how and where the Sierra Club’s Yosemite Conservation Heritage Center fits into “Rustic Architecture.” The return of a great historic program.
Saturday, May 11
Burleigh Lockwood, Wildlife Biologist, Fresno Chaffee Zoo
“Going Batty! All About Bats!”
No Live Bats! But plenty of fun as Burleigh, a bat expert, discovers the world of bats. A Great Family Program!
Friday, May 17
Ben Cunningham-Summerfield, YNP Interpretive Ranger
“American Indian Storytelling & Flute Music”
Spend an evening with Ben as he weaves together lyrical sounds & stories. A Great Family Program!
Saturday, May 18
Stephen Joseph, Nature and Landscape Photographer
“Mt. Diablo: A Study in Preserving Landscape”
Magical and amazing photographs of the iconic Mount Diablo: East Bay California’s remarkable natural monument with over 700,000 annual visitors. A study in Urban Nature.
Friday, May 24
NO PROGRAM MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND
Saturday, May 25
NO PROGRAM MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND
Friday, May 31
Jonas Kulikauskas, Photographer, author Yosemite People
“Yosemite People: Street Photography in the Wilderness”
Jonas turns his camera lens from landscape to showcase the people who work in and visit Yosemite National Park - photographic storytelling of daily life in Yosemite.
JUNE
Saturday, June 1
Dr. Greg Stock, YNP Geologist
“Rise & Fall of Sierra Nevada Glaciers”
Greg, the first YNP Geologist, takes us on a journey in the formation and disappearance of the Sierra Glaciers.
Friday, June 7
Ben Cunningham-Summerfield, YNP Interpretive Ranger
“American Indian Storytelling & Flute Music”
Spend an evening with Ben as he weaves together lyrical sounds and stories. A Great Family Program!
Saturday, June 8
Mike Monroe, Director, Morgan Hill Historical Society
“Charles Kellogg: The Bird Singer & Friend of John Muir & the Redwoods”
An introduction to Charles Kellogg, a forgotten naturalist, who sang like a bird and fought to save the coastal Redwoods.
Friday, June 14
Lee Terkelsen, Nature & Historic Filmmaker
“Hike to Mount Whitney”
Join Lee and his students on this narrated video hike across the High Sierra.
Saturday, June 15
Lee Terkelsen, Nature & Historic Filmmaker
“Along the John Muir Trail: Mt. Whitney to Half Dome”
Join Lee in his narrated hiking video through the High Sierra to Yosemite.
Friday, June 21
Michael Wurtz, Director of Special Collections, University of the Pacific (Home of the John Muir Papers)
“John Muir & the Big Trees”
Meet Michael & experience his journey in discovering Muir’s joy & wonder for the Giant Sequoia.
Saturday, June 22
Bob Hare, Photographer/Historian
“Following John Muir into Wild Yosemite”
Join Bob on this trip back in time to discover the places Muir camped, journaled & sketched in the upper Merced & Tuolumne River canyons. A remarkable study in exploring Muir’s sketches & comparing them to Bob’s photographs collected as he followed in Muir’s footsteps.
Friday, June 28
Ken Yager, Director, Yosemite Climbing Association
“Yosemite Climbing: Meeting Heroes & Giving Back”
Ken shares his personal experience climbing Yosemite Walls, creating the Yosemite Climbing Association & his vision for Yosemite’s “Facelift.” Learn about the Sierra Club’s role in the early days of climbing in Yosemite.
Saturday, June 29
Emily Dayhoff, YNP Interpretive Ranger
“Changing Lifeways of the Ahwahneechee”
Meet Emily and learn about the culture of the Ahwahneechee, who call Yosemite “home.”
JULY
Friday, July 5
NO PROGRAM – JULY 4TH WEEKEND
Saturday, July 6
NO PROGRAM – JULY 4TH WEEKEND
Friday, July 12
Ben Cunningham-Summerfield, YNP Interpretive Ranger
“American Indian Storytelling & Flute Music”
Spend an evening with Ben as he weaves together lyrical sounds & stories. A Great Family Program!
Saturday, July 13
Donna and Peter Thomas, Book Artists/Authors of Muir Ramble Route and Anywhere that is Wild: John Muir’s First Walk to Yosemite
“Muir’s Ramble Route”
Donna and Peter hiked from San Francisco to Yosemite in the footsteps of John Muir. Discover how Muir traveled to Yosemite in 1868 & how you can follow his footsteps.
Friday, July 19
Katie Patrick, YNP Wildlife Management Technician
“Orphaned Bear Cubs: The Story of Three Sibling Bears”
Katie helps us to understand the lives of three cubs alone in the wilderness. A new program for the YCHC.
Saturday, July 20
Mike Elliott, Leave No Trace Master Educator/Sierra Club Member
“Leave No Trace and How to Utilize the Techniques”
Sierra Club Member & Volunteer, Mike introduces the methods & spirit behind keeping wilderness wild.
Friday, July 26
Lee Terkelsen, Nature & Historic Filmmaker
“Hike to Mount Whitney”
Join Lee and his students on this narrated video hike across the High Sierra.
Saturday, July 27
Lee Terkelsen, Nature & Historic Filmmaker
“Along the John Muir Trail: Mt. Whitney to Half Dome”
Join Lee in his narrated hiking video through the High Sierra to Yosemite.
AUGUST
Friday, August 2 – NO PROGRAM
Saturday, August 3
Jack Hoeflich, JNP Valley Chief Law Enforcement & SAR Ranger
“Search & Rescue in Yosemite”
Meet Jack and experience the challenges of rescues in Yosemite Valley, on its lofty granite walls, along the Merced River, and in the backcountry.
Friday, August 9
Ben Cunningham-Summerfield, YNP Interpretive Ranger
“American Indian Storytelling & Flute Music”
Spend an evening with Ben as he weaves together lyrical sounds & stories. A Great Family Program!
Saturday, August 10
Doug Robinson, Yosemite Climber & Climbing Historian
“150 Years of Yosemite Climbing”
Experience the history of Yosemite’s legendary climbers, with a legend “himself,” Doug Robinson. Who invented the gear and created pathways up Yosemite’s granite walls?
Friday, August 16
Steve Riley, Author of Little Tycooney and the Big Yosemite Race
“The Story of Little Tycooney & the Big Yosemite Race”
Meet Steve and hear his story about the Yosemite Raccoon that inspired the book about this amazing race. The return of a Great Family Program!
Saturday, August 17
Jack Hoeflich, YNP Valley Chief Law Enforcement & SAR Ranger
“Search & Rescue in Yosemite”
Meet Jack and experience the challenges of rescues in Yosemite Valley, on its lofty granite walls, along the Merced River, and in the backcountry.
Friday, August 23
Bob Turner, Sierra Club Tehipite Chapter Executive Committee and Conservation Committee Member
“The History of the Sierra Club Cup: Camp Tool & Wilderness Icon”
The multi-purpose Sierra Club “Cup” has been carried by everyone from John Muir to David Brower to Bob Turner, who explores its history. A new program at the YCHC.
Saturday, August 24
Mike Elliott, Leave No Trace Master Educator/Sierra Club Member
“Leave No Trace and How to Utilize the Techniques”
Sierra Club Member & Volunteer, Mike introduces the methods & spirit behind keeping wilderness wild.
Friday, August 30
NO PROGRAM – LABOR DAY WEEKEND
Saturday, August 31
NO PROGRAM – LABOR DAY WEEKEND
SEPTEMBER
Friday, September 6
Michael Wurtz, Director of Special Collections, University of the Pacific (Home of the John Muir Papers.)
“John Muir & the Big Trees”
Meet Michael & experience his journey in search of the joy & wonder Muir found in the Giant Sequoia.
Saturday, September 7
Burleigh Lockwood, Wildlife Biologist, Fresno Chaffee Zoo
“Going Batty! All About Bats!”
No Live Bats! But plenty of fun as Burleigh, a bat expert, discovers the world of bats. A Great Family Program!
Friday, September 13
Ben Cunningham-Summerfield, YNP Interpretive Ranger
“American Indian Storytelling & Flute Music”
Spend an evening with Ben as he weaves together lyrical sounds & stories. A Great Family Program!
Saturday, September 14
Stephen Joseph, Nature & Landscape Photographer, author Diablo
“Mount Diablo: A Study in Preserving Landscape”
Magical & amazing photographs of the iconic Mount Diablo: East Bay California’s remarkable natural monument with over 700,000 annual visitors. A study in Urban Nature.
Friday, September 20
Lee Terkelsen, Nature & Historic Filmmaker
“Big Trees, Big Impact”
Three of the 1st four national parks were created to protect groves of Sequoia—including Mariposa Grove. Welcome to Lee’s current film project—the influence of Sequoia on history and environmental policy. A new program at the YCHC.
Saturday, September 21
Jeremy Evans, Nature Photographer/Filmmaker/Sierra Club Outings Leader
“Our National Parks & Public Lands After Dark: A Study in Astrophotography”
Featuring images & videos from Yosemite, the High Sierra, Yellowstone, Death Valley & the Southwest, Jeremy explores the wonder of the night sky.
Friday, September 27
Janet Wood, JPL/NASA Volunteer Ambassador/Sierra Club Member
“Hidden Wonders of the Yosemite Night Sky & Outer Space”
Enjoy breathtaking images from NASA that explore night skies and distant planets, moons, stars, & galaxies.
Saturday, September 28
Harold Wood, John Muir Historian/Sierra Club Member
“Continuing Inspiration of John Muir”
Join Harold as he saunters with the legacy of John Muir into the 21st century.
END OF 2019 SEASON
_______________________________________________________
Friday, May 4 – “Along the John Muir Trail. Mt. Whitney to Half Dome”
Lee Terkelsen, Nature and Historical Filmmaker. Join Lee in his narrated hiking video through the High Sierra to Yosemite.
Saturday, May 5 – “Astrophotography in the Sierra Nevada under the Moon & Stars”
Jeremy Evans, Nature Photographer/Filmmaker/Sierra Club Outings Leader. Night Sky Landscapes from Yosemite to Mt. Whitney captured by Jeremy in amazing photographs and videos.
Sunday, May 6 – “John Muir and Teddy Roosevelt: Yosemite 1903”
Tom Bopp, John Muir Historian & Celebrated YNP Musician. An Evening of historic revelry as Tom takes us on the journey with Roosevelt and Muir in Yosemite.
Friday, May 11 - “American Indian Storytelling and Flute Music”
Ben Cunningham-Summerfield, YNP Interpretive Ranger. Spend an evening with Ben as he weaves together lyrical sounds and stories. A great family program.
Saturday, May 12 - “Mount Diablo: A Study in Preserving Landscape”
Stephen Joseph, Landscape and Nature Photographer. Magical photographs of the iconic Mount Diablo: East Bay California’s remarkable natural monument with over 700,000 annual visitors.
Friday, May 18 – “Inspiring health and well-being through deep connections to Nature & Spirit”
Heather Sullivan, Co-Founder & Managing Director, Balance Rock. Join Heather in a discovery of Balance Rock, a YNP Park Partner, with storytelling & journaling to find in Yosemite its transformational power. Paper and pens provided.
Saturday, May 19 – “Yosemite People: Street Photography in the Wilderness”
Jonas Kulikauskas, Photographer, author Yosemite People. Jonas turns the camera lens from landscape to showcase the people that work in and visit Yosemite National Park—photographic storytelling of daily life in Yosemite.
Friday, May 25 – NO PROGRAM MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND
Saturday, May 26 – NO PROGRAM MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND
JUNE
Friday, June 1 – “Hike to Mount Whitney”
Lee Terkelsen, Nature and Historical Filmmaker. Join Lee and his students on this narrated video hike across the High Sierra.
Saturday, June 2 – “Along the John Muir Trail: Mt. Whitney to Half Dome”
Lee Terkelsen, Nature and Historical Filmmaker. Join Lee in his narrated hiking video through the High Sierra to Yosemite.
Friday, June 8 – “American Indian Storytelling & Flute Music”
Ben Cunningham-Summerfield, YNP Interpretive Ranger. Spend an evening with Ben as he weaves together lyrical sounds and stories. A great family program!
Saturday, June 9 – “Following John Muir into Wild Yosemite”
Bob Hare, Photographer/Historian. Join Bob on this trip back in time to discover where Muir camped, journaled & sketched in the upper Merced & Tuolumne River canyons.
Friday, June 15 – “Search & Rescue in Yosemite”
John Dill, YNP Search & Rescue Ranger. Learn about the techniques used by the YNP Search & Rescue Rangers
Saturday, June 16 – “John Muir & the Big Trees”
Michael Wurtz, Director of Special Collections, University of the Pacific, home of the John Muir papers. Meet Michael & experience his journey in discovering Muir’s joy & respect for the Giant Sequoia.
Friday, June 22 – “Climbing Yosemite Walls”
Dave Bengston, Director, Yosemite Mountaineering School. If you ever wanted to see what it’s like to climb Yosemite’s granite walls, meet Dave and watch him climb LeConte Rock. Demonstration followed by a narrated presentation on outdoor activities in Yosemite.
Saturday, June 23 – “Rise & Fall of Sierra Nevada Glaciers”
Dr. Greg Stock, YNP Geologist. Greg, the first YNP Geologist, takes us on a journey in the formation and disappearance of the Sierra Glaciers.
Friday, June 29 – “Yosemite Climbing: Meeting Heroes & Giving Back”
Ken Yager, Director, Yosemite Climbing Association. Ken shares his personal experience climbing Yosemite Walls & creating the Yosemite Climbing Association, & his vision for Yosemite’s Facelift. Learn about the Sierra Club’s role in early climbing in Yosemite.
Saturday, June 30 – “Going Batty! All About Bats!”
Burleigh Lockwood, Wildlife Biologist, Fresno-Chaffee Zoo. No live Bats! But plenty of fun, as Burleigh, a bat expert, helps us discover the world of bats. A great family program!
JULY
Friday, July 6 – “147 Years of Yosemite Climbing”
Doug Robinson, Yosemite Climber. Experience the history of Yosemite’s legendary climbers, with a legendary climber! Inventing gear and creating pathways up Yosemite’s granite walls.
Saturday, July 7 – “China Sister Parks: Huangshan National Park and Jiuzhaigou National Park”
Pete Devine, Yosemite Conservancy Naturalist & Master Guide. Through amazing photographs of Pete’s tour with the Yosemite Conservancy, spend an evening touring Yosemite’s sister parks in China.
Friday, July 13 – “Hidden Wonders of the Yosemite Night Sky & Outer Space”
Janet Wood, JPL/NASA Volunteer Ambassador/Sierra Club Member. Enjoy breathtaking images from NASA that explore night skies and distant planets, moons, stars, and galaxies.
Saturday, July 14 – “Continuing Inspiration of John Muir”
Harold Wood, John Muir Historian, Sierra Club John Muir Webmaster. Join Harold as he saunters with the legacy of John Muir into the 21st century.
Friday, July 20 – TBA
Saturday, July 21 – “Hiking Along the John Muir Trail: Mt. Whitney to Half Dome”
Lee Terkelsen, Nature and Historical Filmmaker. Join Lee in his narrated hiking video through the High Sierra to Yosemite.
Friday, July 27 – NO PROGRAM
Saturday, July 28 – “Muir Ramble Route”
Donna and Peter Thomas, Book Artists/Authors of Muir Ramble Route and Anywhere that is Wild: John Muir’s First Walk to Yosemite. Donna and Peter hiked from San Francisco to Yosemite in the footsteps of John Muir. Discover how Muir traveled to Yosemite in 1868 and how you can follow his footsteps.
AUGUST
Friday, August 3 – “Little TyCooney & the Big Yosemite Race”
Steven Riley, Children’s Book Author. Meet Steven and hear his story about the Yosemite Raccoon that inspired the book about the Big Yosemite Race. A great family program.
Saturday, August 4 – “Search & Rescue in Yosemite”
Jack Hoeflich, YNP Valley Chief Law Enforcement & SAR Ranger. Meet Jack. Learn about the challenges of rescues in Yosemite Valley, on its lofty granite walls and along the Merced River.
Friday, August 10 – “American Indian Storytelling & Flute Music”
Ben Cunningham-Summerfield, YNP Interpretive Ranger. Spend an evening with Ben as he weaves together lyrical sounds & stories. A great family program!
Saturday, August 11 – NO PROGRAM
Friday, August 17 – “Bears and Bear Management in Yosemite”
Katie Patrick, YNP Wildlife Management Technician . Katie introduces the initiatives, policies, and programs that keep the black bears wild.
Saturday, August 18 – “Search and Rescue in Yosemite”
Jack Hoeflich, YNP Valley Chief Law Enforcement & SAR Ranger. Meet Jack. Learn about the challenges of rescues in Yosemite Valley, on its lofty granite walls and along the Merced River.
Friday, August 24 – “Hike to Mount Whitney”
Lee Terkelsen, Nature & Historical Filmmaker. Join Lee and his students on this narrated video hike across the High Sierra.
Saturday, August 25 – “Along the John Muir Trail: Mt. Whitney to Half Dome”
Lee Terkelsen, Nature & Historical Filmmaker. Join Lee in his narrated hiking video through the High Sierra to Yosemite.
Friday, August 31 – NO PROGRAM LABOR DAY WEEKEND
SEPTEMBER
Saturday, September 1 – NO PROGRAM LABOR DAY WEEKEND
Friday, September 7 – “American Indian Storytelling & Flute Music”
Ben Cunningham-Summerfield, NPS Interpretive Ranger. Spend an evening with Ben as he weaves together lyrical sounds & stories. A great family program.
Saturday, September 8 – “John Muir & the Big Trees”
Michael Wurtz, Director of Special Collections, University of the Pacific, Home of the John Muir Papers. Meet Michael & experience his journey in discovering Muir’s joy & respect for the Giant Sequoia.
Friday, September 14 – “Leave No Trace and How to Utilize the Techniques”
Michael A. Elliott, Leave No Trace Master Educator, Sierra Club Member and Volunteer. Michael introduces the methods and spirit behind keeping wilderness wild.
Saturday, September 15 – “Charles Kellogg: The Bird Singer & Friend of John Muir & the Redwoods”
Mike Monroe, Director, Morgan Hill Historical Society. An introduction to Charles Kellogg, a forgotten naturalist, who sang like a bird & fought to save the coastal Redwoods.
Friday, September 21 – “Mount Diablo: A Study in Preserving Landscape”
Stephen Joseph, Nature & Landscape Photographer. Magical photographs of the iconic Mount Diablo: East Bay California’s remarkable natural monument with over 700,000 annual visitors.
Saturday, September 22 – “Going Batty! All About Bats”
Burleigh Lockwood, Wildlife Biologist, Fresno-Chaffee Zoo. No live Bats! But plenty of fun, as Burleigh, a bat expert, helps us discover the world of bats. A great family program.
Friday, September 28 – “Yosemite’s Landmarks. Origins & History of Yosemite’s Places & Names”
Jeremy Evans, Nature Photographer/Filmmaker/Sierra Club Outings Leader. Did you wonder who explored and named Yosemite’s iconic landmarks? Saunter with Jeremy on this evening of historic discovery.
Saturday, September 29 – “Hiking the John Muir Trail: Three Weeks of Stories, Photographs & Short Films”
Jeremy Evans, Nature Photographer/Filmmaker/Sierra Club Outings Leader. Join Jeremy on the John Muir Trail.
_______________________________________________________
END OF SEASON
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AT THE YOSEMITE CONSERVATION HERITAGE CENTER AND FOR JOINING THE SIERRA CLUB
Always in Nature,
Bonnie J. Gisel, Curator, Yosemite Conservation Heritage Center
Previous Programs: