Celebrate Earth Day in Yosemite

Every April, nature lovers and conservationists come together to celebrate Earth Day, a global movement dedicated to protecting our planet. In Yosemite Mariposa County, where towering granite cliffs, rushing waterfalls, and ancient sequoias inspire awe, this day serves as a powerful reminder to cherish and preserve the natural world. Earth Day (April 22) is more than just a celebration- it’s a call to action for environmental stewardship.  

Earth Day began in 1970, inspiring the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency and Clean Air Act (and two years later, the Clean Water Act).  Earth Day’s founder, U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson, earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom – the highest honor given to American civilians. Today, the event is coordinated globally by EARTHDAY.ORG and celebrated worldwide, including across Yosemite Mariposa County. There are many ways to participate, from cleaning up trash and planting trees, to standing up for the environment by mindfully enjoying outdoor recreation! Yosemite’s seminal role in the earliest days of the United States conservation movement makes it a perfect place to be on Earth Day.

Yosemite and Conservation’s Early Days

National parks did not exist in the mid-19^th century.  When commercial interests began eyeing vast tracts of wilderness like Yosemite to exploit their rich natural resources, a groundswell of conservations advocacy began.  In 1864, amid the tumult of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Yosemite Grant Act to preserve Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias.  Galen Clark became Yosemite’s first formally appointed guardian.

Protection was extended when the U.S. Congress passed a bill designating Yosemite as the nation’s third national park in 1890, thanks in part to John Muir’s tireless and eloquent support.  The National Park Service was formed in 1916 when President Woodrow Wilson signed the “Organic Act,” and American conservation was formally born.

Based on this fascinating bit of American history it can be said that Yosemite is where the conservation movement began, and where it continued to grow. In 1984, nearly a century after Yosemite became a National Park, it was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Earth Day in Yosemite

April is a special time of year when Yosemite Mariposa County sparkles extra bright. Yosemite’s rivers recharge in early spring with the annual snowmelt filling their banks.  Waterfalls in and around the Park roar to life. National Park Week is celebrated each April in Yosemite, with fee-free Park admission generally offered to kick off the celebration. While the spirit of conservation courses through Yosemite all year round, Earth Day is the perfect time to volunteer, have fun, and take part in special events.

Local Events that Love the Earth

Founded by local rock-climbing legend Ken Yager in 2004, Yosemite Facelift® is a series of annual events dedicated to the stewardship of Yosemite National Park. After all, even a natural beauty like Yosemite needs a regular “skin care” regimen!

Mariposa Facelift® is the April edition of the Facelift series, focusing on the historic Gold Rush county seat of Mariposa and surrounding environs. Held annually around Earth Day, “Mariposa Facelift started as an event connected to the grand opening of the Yosemite Climbing Association Museum & Gallery in 2022, and it’s grown every year since,” said Hannah Fleetwood, Museum Manager. 

“Earth Day is the perfect time to reflect on our impact on the Earth and consider how we can preserve our planet for future generations,” says Ken Yager, President and Founder of the Yosemite Climbing Association. 

Since its inception, tens of thousands of Facelift volunteers have removed over 1,200,000 pounds of trash and debris from Yosemite and other public land areas, as well as undertaken hundreds of special resource and cleanup projects.

For more information on this year’s Mariposa Facelift® date and how to participate, see the Yosemite Climbing Association’s Facebook.   While you are in Mariposa for Earth Day (or any time of year), be sure to visit the Yosemite Climbing Association Museum & Gallery, where displays of priceless artifacts and art illustrate Yosemite’s role in the history of big wall rock climbing.

Voluntourism and the Yosemite Conservancy

The vast majority of Yosemite National Park’s annual visitors approach this citadel of conservation with a “Leave No Trace” approach. Even so, preserving Yosemite Mariposa County for future generations demands another level of stewardship. Voluntourism is an essential way that this happens.

The Yosemite Conservancy is the nonprofit dedicated to preserving Yosemite’s resources and providing enriching visitor experiences in the park.  Yosemite Conservancy holds annual Earth Day events as well as offering volunteer opportunities year-round through its series of Work Weeks. 

Yosemite Conservancy’s volunteer programs exemplify the best practices of voluntourism.  “Our volunteers play an important role all over Yosemite. They restore trails and habitat, teach art classes, and draw on their Yosemite knowledge to help visitors. And in the process, they deepen their relationship with Yosemite, and make a tangible difference for the park,” says Adonia Ripple, Yosemite Conservancy’s Chief of Yosemite Operations.

To learn more and get updates on Yosemite Conservancy volunteer vacation programs, be sure to subscribe to the organization’s e-news (link located near page bottom). 

Earth Friendly Stays

By staying at a hotel with eco-friendly practices and protocols in place, you can amplify your Earth Day stewardship.  A leading example is Tenaya at Yosemite, the AAA-Four Diamond resort in Fish Camp.  Tenaya takes the GreenPath® with the support of parent company Delaware North, by embracing an extended list of environmental measures.

Yosemite Valley accommodations such as The Ahwahnee, Yosemite Valley Lodge, Curry Village and Housekeeping Camp provide perfect settings for Earth Day stays.  Park overnight guests can feel confident their lodging and dining choices are green, as Park concessionaire Aramark Destinations is committed to environmental sustainability and practices that align with Yosemite’s conservation values. While you’re there, take advantage of Yosemite’s top-notch public transportation including the free Valley Shuttle during your Earth Day visit and all year long.

AutoCamp Yosemite in Midpines (Highway 140) offers accommodations in repurposed Airstream trailers and luxury tent cabins and suites.  AutoCamp properties are typically located in or near our National Parks, and each supports partner organizations working to protect the places they inhabit.  AutoCamp Yosemite is a proud supporter of Yosemite’s NatureBridge program, which provides environmental science programs and curriculum to students.

Getting well-grounded for an Earth Day getaway makes all the sense in the world.  Yosemite camping and glamping options abound, including Wildhaven Yosemite.  Perched atop a bluff overlooking the town of Mariposa, Wildhaven guests can celebrate the planet by staying in canvas tents or updated glamping cabins – and be treated to sweeping views of rolling foothills & snow-capped mountains.

The Takeaway

Earth Day is a great prompt to remind us that traveling responsibly is more than a single-day event – it’s a practice. Exploring fragile wilderness areas asks for a mindful approach. Continue your journey by taking a look at Nature Rules on Yosemite.com and the Yosemite Conservancy’s checklist for Earth care to see how you can make a tangible difference whenever you visit Yosemite Mariposa County.