[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 85 (Tuesday, June 8, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1036-E1037]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING YOSEMITE CONSERVANCY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 8, 2010

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and 
congratulate the Yosemite Conservancy upon its conception. The Yosemite 
Association and the Yosemite Fund have come together to launch this new 
organization to protect Yosemite National Park and inspire enduring 
connections for current and future generations.
  In January 2010 the Yosemite Association and the Yosemite Fund, two 
non-profits with over one hundred years of combined experience in 
supporting the park, merged. Since 1923, the Yosemite Association has 
provided opportunities for people to learn about, enjoy and experience 
Yosemite National Park. The focus has primarily been on providing 
publications, outdoor programs, history museums, volunteering and a 
wealth of visitor services. The Yosemite Fund was established in 1988 
to focus on projects that enhance the visitor experience, including 
trails, restoration of vital habitats, preservation of art and 
artifacts. The Yosemite Fund has supported over three hundred projects 
funded through fifty-five million dollars in grants. The Yosemite Fund 
has more than forty projects planned for 2010. The organization has 
four hundred volunteers annually to assist park visitors, restore 
natural areas and help with operations, events and fundraising 
activities. With the merging of these two organizations, the Yosemite 
Conservancy was created.
  The Yosemite Conservancy is the only philanthropic organization 
dedicated exclusively to the protection and preservation of Yosemite 
National Park and enhancement of the visitor experience. With the 
experience and knowledge of the Yosemite Fund and the Yosemite

[[Page E1037]]

Association, the Yosemite Conservancy will provide the best of both 
organizations. It will aim to create new benchmarks in innovation and 
quality through its programs and projects. The 2010 signature project 
is a one million dollar effort to support Youth in Yosemite an 
experimental learning program that will also improve campgrounds, 
repair trails, preserve images from Yosemite's archives and expand 
educational programs and exhibits at Happy Isle Nature Center. 
Different programs and projects will be put in place in 2010 as well, 
such as Outdoor Adventures programs to teach people about the park, 
Yosemite Art and Education programs, meadow restoration, bighorn sheep 
monitoring and pacific fisher research and bear canister rental and 
wilderness permits.
  Under the leadership of Mike Tollefson, former superintendent of 
Yosemite National Park, the Board of Trustees and the permanent staff, 
the Yosemite Conservancy will work toward their mission to provide for 
Yosemite's future by inspiring people to support projects and programs 
that preserve and protect Yosemite National Park's resources and enrich 
the visitor experience.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the Yosemite Conservancy for 
its commitment to better serve and protect Yosemite National Park. I 
invite my colleagues to join me in wishing the organization many years 
of continued success.

                          ____________________