Yosemite Conservancy – Yosemite Field School: Recovering Species

Yosemite National Park is a place of resilience and renewal. On this two-day program guided by park biologists and a Yosemite Conservancy naturalist, you’ll explore the remarkable comeback stories of the California red-legged frogs and peregrine falcons. Both species were absent from the park for decades and are now thriving with help from the Yosemite Conservancy, park biologists, climbers, zoos, and so many others.  Learn what led to the decline of these species and how they are reclaiming their places in the park.

On Friday, after an indoor presentation learning about the amphibians of Yosemite and their decline and recovery story, we hope to see tadpoles and adult frogs with the help of Rob Grasso, Yosemite National Park’s aquatic ecologist, and plan to release frogs into Yosemite Valley with staff from the San Francisco Zoo. On Saturday, we’ll meet with the park’s raptor surveyor and look at peregrine eyries through spotting scopes. If we are lucky, we’ll be able to see the peregrines on the cliffs as well. This program offers a rare opportunity to learn firsthand from experts about Yosemite’s recovering species and the hope they represent for our shared natural world.