NPS Photo

Cars and Campers in Stoneman Meadow--mid-1900s.

Yosemite is now at a crossroad. During a century of public custodianship of this great park, many decisions have been made, all well intended, which have resulted in a march of man-made development...the foremost responsibility of the National Park Service is to perpetuate the natural splendor of Yosemite and its exceedingly special Valley. -- General Management Plan, 1980

Park planning involves time, research, science, and you. At first glance, terms like park management and park planning can be overwhelming and confusing. Early park management ideas, which often revolved around the unique balancing act of preservation and tourism, were not much different than they are today.

Park Planning in the National Park Service

Today, Yosemite, and the National Park Service as a whole, aims to allow natural processes to prevail while continuing to provide for the enjoyment of people. In doing this, Yosemite looks at preserving the special natural features and processes that helped to establish this park, such as geologic forces, the immense granite walls, towering giant sequoias, or Yosemite falls. The park also looks at the 3.5 million visitors to this park and the experience that they desire.

Staying Involved is Important!

Shuttle buses pass by, bikes in mass whiz next to you, and cars are lined up at a nearby vista, waiting to launch forward to their next destination. Right now you are in the center of it. How does the park plan for something that is happening and changing all around us at this very moment? Your voice and ideas are necessary in planning for Yosemite's future.

Attempting to plan for and "manage" a wild place, a landscape still evolving, is only possible with input from all people who care about and for Yosemite National Park.

New Item(s) to Review:
Invasive Plant Management Plan - Fall and Winter 2008 Workplan Posted (link to page)

Lichens in Yosemite - new fact sheet (9/08)

Tenaya Lake Area Plan (link to page)

Final User Capacity Symposium Report - 9/2/08 (1.2 MB PDF)

2007 Monitoring Annual Report - Final (8/14/08) (11.1 MB PDF)

2008 Workbook Alternatives Comparison (8/5/08)

Environmental Education Campus 50% site plans (link to EEC page)

2008 Tuolumne Planning Workbook page

Comprehensive Interpretive Plan (link to page)

VERP Field Monitoring Guide 2007 (4.7 MB PDF)