Become a Certified California Naturalist

 Yosemite National Park belongs to the people. It should not be carved up to benefit a private developer. The National Park Service is working on a new proposal to give up a quarter-mile strip of land inside Yosemite National Park in exchange for property elsewhere in California. What's the goal? To provide a private developer with a new road and direct access from his 83-acre planned real estate development abutting the park to one of Yosemite’s central roads. This proposal deserves the public’s attention. The property is owned by Kingsbarn Realty Capitol, whose CEO wants to build a road connecting the private property to Yosemite. Previous efforts to establish this private access were rejected, including in federal court. The National Park Service has repeatedly refused similar requests for more than two decades. Our National Parks should not be carved up for private profit. National Parks were established in this country to protect America’s most interesting and iconic places for everyone to access, not to provide special access or development opportunities for private interests. Your action is especially timely because the Park Service has acknowledged that no final decision has been made, meaning there is still an opportunity for public scrutiny and opposition. Any eventual land exchange should be subject to federal laws, environmental review, and public notification requirements. Tell the National Park Service: Keep Yosemite public We can’t allow a national park to be reshaped around the interests of a private developer. Yosemite is a national treasure. Its lands, wildlife, cultural resources, and landscapes belong to the American people, and they should remain protected for generations to come. We have seen this kind of proposal before, and the public and the courts rejected it. We must make sure it does not come back through the back door. Yosemite is worth protecting. Speak up and keep it public. TAKE ACTION: Tell Interior Secretary Burgum to Keep Yosemite Public! Here’s How: Call your elected officials. Here is a sample script: “Hi, my name is [NAME] and I'm a constituent from [CITY/ZIP]. I'm calling to urge [Representative/Senator NAME] to publicly oppose the National Park Service's proposed land exchange inside Yosemite National Park, which would give a billionaire private developer, Kingsbarn Realty Capital, new road access through park land. I'm also asking [him/her/them] to call on Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to reject any further privatization or sell-off of our public lands. Yosemite belongs to the public, not private developers. Thank you.” Send a letter or email. You can use this template: Dear [Representative/Senator NAME], I’m writing as your constituent to urge you to oppose the National Park Service’s proposed land exchange inside Yosemite National Park. This proposal would trade a strip of park land to provide Kingsbarn Realty Capital, a billionaire private developer, with new road access from an 83-acre private property to one of Yosemite’s central roads. This is not the first attempt to establish this private access – previous efforts were rejected, including in federal court, and the Park Service has denied similar requests for more than two decades. Our public lands exist to serve the public, not to create development opportunities for billionaires. I ask that you publicly oppose this proposal and call on Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to keep Yosemite, and all our national parks, fully public and protected for future generations. Thank you for representing our community on this issue. Sincerely, [NAME] [ADDRESS/ZIP] Not sure who represents you? Find your U.S. Representative and Senators here .

I first learned of Tuleyome in 2015 when the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument was created and it was in the news. I thought then of what a marvelous and impressive, important effort this was by so many people, including Tuleyome. Importantly it was so inclusive, involving people of so many different backgrounds and interests, getting the buy-in from the community at large. Once I learned about Tuleyome (and the meaning of the name - deep home place) and some of its conservation efforts, I decided that I wanted to contribute, at least in a small way. I come from a farming and research background, and newly retired, wanted to be more involved in conservation efforts and Tuleyome was local and ideal! I think the aspect of Tuleyome’s work that most resonated with me is the focus on educational programs for young people and adults. As an older person, I know that experiences we have in childhood have life-long impacts. Let them be positive and enriching experiences and let them include conservation and the natural world! Young people have many demands on their time and attention and most have limited exposure to nature. Regardless of our career paths, an appreciation of nature is vital for the well-being of us all. As a docent helper this past spring I was touched by three students who said this was the first time they had been out in nature. In 2024 I had the opportunity to participate in the Certified California Naturalist Program (CalNat) and was inspired by the lead instructors Geoff Benn and Nate Lillge, and invited speakers. And, I love the new manual about the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument , especially the geology section. My donations can be used toward any need but I particularly want to support the educational efforts for young people. The National monument is a treasure in our backyards. Its creation and subsequent enlargement in 2024, reminded me of the adage “think globally, act locally”. The multi-pronged conservation efforts of Tuleyome and its commitment to a diverse regional community are such important and positive actions. I see Tuleyome as a small but powerful inspiring organization.