Projects that educate, inspire and improve visitor understanding of the Park's natural and cultural features are important because visitors are critical to Yosemite's preservation. Installing exhibits, producing brochures, and funding educational programs both broaden visitor knowledge and inspire stewardship.

Current Projects

• Bicycle Bridge Replacement
  Funding Needed: $434,000
  The main pedestrian and bicycle trail between Yosemite Village and Yosemite Falls crosses Yosemite Creek near Yosemite Lodge. The pedestrian bridge crossing the creek has failed and been removed, forcing pedestrians and cyclists to share the narrow vehicle bridge with cars, trucks and buses. This emergency project will replace the pedestrian bridge, restoring a safer pedestrian route through the heart of Yosemite Valley.
• Climbing History Exhibit
  Funding Needed: $65,000
  In many respects, the history of vertical wall rock climbing is centered in Yosemite. For decades, Yosemite’s premier climbers have pioneered virtually every major advance in technical mountain climbing. This project will produce a comprehensive exhibit on Yosemite’s climbing history including historic photographs, original equipment and text narrative at the Yosemite Museum located in the valley.
• Tunnel View Restoration
  Funding Needed: $1,700,000
  Tunnel View is one of the most visited spots in Yosemite but the facilities are seriously degraded and the traffic flow is chaotic. This project will restore the Tunnel View Overlook, including creation of a larger viewing area, improved traffic and pedestrian circulation plan, revised drainage, vista clearing, wheelchair access and wayside exhibits as well as relocation of the trailhead to provide better trail access to other dramatic viewpoints.
• Mounted Patrol Equipment
  Funding Needed: $20,000
  The National Park Service Mounted Patrol Equipment for special events and occasions has been a tradition in Yosemite for over 80 years. The formal uniform and equestrian equipment provides formal recognition for the Park Service at a variety of public events each year. This grant will purchase new uniforms and upgraded equipment for Park Service staff.
• Day Hike Maps: Yosemite Valley and Tuolumne Meadows
  Funding Needed: $16,000
  In 2006, The Yosemite Fund supported publication of six regional Yosemite day hike maps for distribution park-wide to visitors. This project will reprint the popular Yosemite Valley map as well as create a new map for the Tuolumne Meadows area.
• Hill Studio Exhibit
  Funding Needed: $170,000
  Thomas Hill was one of the pre-eminent nineteenth century Yosemite painters. His studio in Wawona is a living connection to the long history of art in Yosemite. This project will produce exhibits for the Hill Studio to provide orientation information for visitors in the south end of the Park as well as interpret the significance of Hill and other Yosemite artists.
• Junior Ranger Books
  Funding Needed: $50,000
  The venerable Junior Ranger Program continues to be one of the highlights of many young Park visitors’ trips to Yosemite. This project will provide free Junior Ranger books in English and Spanish to support the Junior Ranger Program in six Park locations.
• Mariposa Grove Museum Lighting
  Funding Needed: $16,000
  The Mariposa Grove Museum houses excellent interpretive displays, but the lack of electricity for lighting prevents the visitor from properly seeing them. This project will provide for installation of a low profile solar powered lighting system to help showcase the exhibits while maintaining the historic character of the building.
• Museum Archives Index
  Funding Needed: $28,060
  The Yosemite Museum collection is one of the most extensive in the National Park system. Holdings include over 2.8 million items. This grant will complete a comprehensive inventory of the Yosemite Museum Archives and produce a soft bound guide and companion XML version for internet use.
• Museum Master Plan
  Funding Needed: $22,950
  The current facilities for storing and presenting the Yosemite Museum’s collection are insufficient and outdated. This grant will support the ongoing Museum planning effort by funding a project manager and a compliance specialist to work with a Museum Task Force.
• Oral History Digitization
  Funding Needed: $38,658
  The Yosemite Museum collection includes over 700 hours of oral histories. This grant will preserve this priceless record by transferring the archive to state-of-the-art digital media.
• Yosemite Theater Equipment
  Funding Needed: $83,584
  Hundreds of thousands of awed visitors have thrilled to the Yosemite Theater presentation of the award-winning orientation film Spirit of Yosemite. Installation of a new state-of-the-art digital projection system will make the experience even more spectacular with increased brightness and a more robust system to show the film every half hour.
• Half Dome View Overlook Restoration
  Funding Needed: $160,000
  At this dramatic turnout on Hwy 120, visitors get their first glimpse of Yosemite Valley’s most prominent features. Currently, the site poorly provides for visitor safety and education. This project will improve vehicle and pedestrian access, signage and viewing terraces as well as reduce erosion.
• Wildlink Interns
  Funding Needed: $11,132
  WildLink is a cooperative online educational project connecting California students to the outdoors. This grant will fund a two week course to bring Wildlink alumni to the Park to learn about employment opportunities in Yosemite.

New permanent exhibits at the Happy Isles Nature Center, Wilderness Center, Mariposa Grove Museum, Valley Visitor Center and Parsons Lodge. Support for Yosemite's Wilderness Education Program. Production of the official visitor orientation film Spirit of Yosemite and renovation of an existing auditorium into a first class theater for the film. Distribution of Spirit film to California middle schools and support of Mariposa schools' Outdoor Education program.