Yosemite Nature Notes

Yosemite Nature Notes is a video series that tells unique stories about the natural and human history of Yosemite National Park. Produced by the National Park Service, this series features park rangers, scientists, historians and park visitors as they discuss the diverse plants and animals that make Yosemite their home, as well as the towering cliffs, giant waterfalls and mountain peaks that are known throughout the world.

You can also subscribe to Yosemite Nature Notes on YouTube.

 

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  Yosemite Nature Notes 36: Mystery Trees in Tenaya Lake

  Tenaya Lake is one of the largest lakes in Yosemite National Park, and it’s also one of the most accessible. Thousands of visitors have seen the trees that protrude from the lake surface, but most don’t realize the dramatic underwater story of ancient droughts that these trees tell.

  Duration:

  7 minutes, 26 seconds

 

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  Yosemite Nature Notes 35: To Find a Fisher

  In 1946, trapping of fishers was banned in California — but at that point, their population numbers were so low that they still haven't recovered. Now, one of the biggest threats are large-scale wildfires. To find a fisher is pretty difficult — learn how wildlife biologists are working to study and save the elusive and endangered pacific fisher in Yosemite National Park.

  Duration:

  7 minutes, 37 seconds

 

Additional Information:

• Pacific Fishers

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  Yosemite Nature Notes 34: Giant Sequoias

  Giant sequoia trees are impressive in size, age, and resilience. This resilience is being tested by climate change and previous management practices. These challenges offer opportunities to research these wonderful trees and develop better ways to support their ability to thrive.

  Duration:

  8 minutes, 55 seconds

 

Additional Information:

• Giant sequoias groves in Yosemite

• Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias

• Giant sequoia research

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  Yosemite Nature Notes 33: Meadows

  There are over 3,000 meadows in Yosemite National Park, but they only cover 3% of the area of the park. They make up for this small percentage by providing habitat for a wide variety of plant and animal species.

  Duration:

  7 minutes, 26 seconds

 

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  Yosemite Nature Notes 32: Mountain Yellow-Legged Frogs

  Historically, mountain yellow-legged frogs thrived throughout the Sierra Nevada, but today these endangered amphibians are found in only a handful of locations. Restoration efforts in Yosemite are helping protect what was once the most abundant vertebrate in the park.

  Duration:

  7 minutes, 33 seconds

 

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  Yosemite Nature Notes 31: Fire Followers

  Fire following flowers are those that germinate and bloom after a fire, covering the landscape in a beautiful but brief wildflower display that may not return until the next fire.

  Duration:

  5 minutes, 40 seconds

 

More Yosemite Nature Notes

• Episodes 16–30

• Episodes 1–15

• Special episodes