Yosemite Photos, Video and News

WEATHER  

Yosemite Valley
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 54.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 39. 
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 61. 
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 72. 
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 68.

El Portal
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 73.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 46. 
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 79.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 87.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 84.

Wawona
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 61.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 43.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 67. 
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 75.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 73.

PARK AND PARK PARTNER NEWS
 
Traffic Delays on the El Portal Road
Traffic delays are scheduled to begin next week on the El Portal Road to stabilize a rock slide area near Dog Rock (Approx. 0.25 miles east of the western park entrance). The contractor is scheduled to begin work next Monday, April 4, 2011 with up to 30-minute delays (Except during the commuter hours of 6:30 and 8:30 AM in the mornings and 4:00 to 6:00 PM in the afternoon, when there will be a maximum of 15 minute delays.). They are planning to work from sun-up to sun-down, Monday thru Friday. The contractor will have one lane traffic control with flaggers. This project includes rock scaling and bolting to help stabilize an area that slid during the December 30, 2010 storm and again during last weeks storm event. There may be less delays the first day as they mobilize onsite. The current schedule is to have the work completed in a few weeks and prior to Easter. (M. Pieper - 3/29) (M. Pieper - 3/29)
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How Have Animal Distributions Changed in Yosemite over the Past Century?
From 2003-2005, a historic vertebrate survey from the early 20th century was repeated in Yosemite National Park as a collaborative effort among the UC Berkeley Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, the National Park Service, and the USGS Yosemite Field Station. Results of this survey have just been published in a NPS Natural Resources Technical Report which can be accessed at the following url: http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/sien/Inventories/Reports/animals/YOSEVertebrateInventoryRept_moritz_20110317_FINAL.pdf.

While many species ranges’ have remained stable over this time period, this report presents evidence that numerous species of birds and small mammals have experienced range shifts. Some lower elevation animals have shown expansion into higher elevations, while some upper elevation animals have experienced range contractions – the lower boundaries of their ranges have shifted upward. These changes may be related to a variety of environmental changes, and more research will need to be done to identify specific causes for the changes observed.

The Yosemite vertebrate survey was part of the Sierra Nevada Network (SIEN) Inventory & Monitoring Program’s biological inventories conducted to fill in gaps in the information for vertebrates and vascular plants in SIEN parks (Devils Postpile National Monument, Sequoia & Kings Canyon, and Yosemite National Parks). For more information on SIEN Inventory & Monitoring projects, you can visit our website at: http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/sien/, or contact Program Manager Alice Chung-MacCoubrey at 559-565-3788, or Data Manager Les Chow at 209-379-3268. (L. Mutch - 3/29)
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Tuolumne River Plan to be Released Late Spring
In late spring 2011, the National Park Service will release for public review the Tuolumne Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Tuolumne River Plan/DEIS). Members of the public will be invited to review and comment on the draft plan, as well as attend one of several public meetings throughout the summer (to be announced in a future update).

To minimize the need for printing, members of the public are encouraged to review the Tuolumne River Plan/DEIS via the NPS Planning Environment Public Comment (PEPC) website  (parkplanning.nps.gov/yose_trp). In addition, the draft plan will be available for you to review and comment in the following formats:
1. CD-ROM version (upon request)
2. Hard copy version (printed in very limited supply)

Printed copies of the Tuolumne River Plan/DEIS will also be made available to local libraries throughout the region.

To request a CD or printed version, PLEASE PRINT your name and address and send by April 22 via one of the following:
1. By fax to (209) 379-1256
2. By email  to yose_planning@nps.gov
3. By phone to (209) 379-1110
4. By mail to:

Yosemite National Park, Superintendent
Attn: Tuolumne River Plan/DEIS REQUEST
P.O. Box 577
Yosemite, CA 95389

In 1984, the Tuolumne was added by Congress to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. As mandated by law, a comprehensive river management plan is required to direct how the managing agency will protect and enhance the river's free-flowing condition, its water quality, as well as its outstandingly remarkable values. When completed, the Tuolumne River Plan will guide the future management of the 54 miles of the Tuolumne Wild and Scenic River that flow through Yosemite National Park. The plan and draft EIS will contain all elements required by the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act; document the condition of river values; propose programs for restoration, monitoring, and user capacity; and analyze a range of site-specific management alternatives in the river corridor.

Stay informed of the Tuolumne River Plan/DEIS release and future activities by visiting the Tuolumne River Plan web page. (J.F. McCabe - 3/28)
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New Arrivals at the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center Bookstore
Yosemite Conservancy has just received delivery of the 100th anniversary cloth cover edition of John Muir’s classic, “My First Summer in the Sierra," with beautifully enhancing photographs by Scot Miller. A limited quantity of this soon to be  collectable edition, signed by the photographer, is available in the Yosemite Bookstore in the Valley Visitor Center, at a desirable  price of just $30.00, before employee or donor discount.  
 
Also newly arrived is  Michael Ross’s latest  book, “Yosemite Trivia,” challenging the knowledge and passion for Yosemite of readers of all ages. Stump your friends, show off your knowledge, and entertain your guests with this new $9.95 trade paperback containing hundreds of questions about Yosemite National Park. (T. Arfsten - 3/28)

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EMPLOYEE NEWS

Sharepoint Orientation
Come attend a two-hour orientation to the differences between the current version of SharePoint and SharePoint 2010, which the park will be upgrading to. Cast your vote on whether to upgrade sooner or later! There is no sign-up and attendees do not need to bring a computer.
Monday 4/4, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Friday 4/8, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. 
All sessions will be held at the Large Breakroom at the El Portal Warehouse. Please contact Paul Gallez at 372-0250 for more information. (P. Gallez - 3/28)

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ACTING DESIGNATIONS

Caitlin Lee-Roney will be acting Branch Chief of Wildlife Management on Tuesday, March 29, and Wednesday March 30.

Gus Smith will be acting Chief of Fire and Aviation through Wednesday, March 30. He can be reached on his cell phone - (209) 770-4776.

Ed Dunlavey will be the Acting Chief Ranger March 29-April 2. Charles Cuvelier can be reached by cell phone as necessary.

Ann Roberts (379-1383) will be acting Branch Chief of Environmental Planning and Compliance from Monday, March 28 to Friday, April 1.

Lena McDowall, our BRM Lead Concession Specialist, will be Acting Chief of Administration until April 1.

Jay Shields