“Parkitecture†68(2):3-5 by Charles Palmer - Yosemite Online
“Parkitecture†68(2):3-5 by Charles Palmer - Yosemite Online
“Parkitecture†68(2):3-5 by Charles Palmer - Yosemite Online
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
YOSEMITE ASSOCIATION<br />
2005 ANNUAL REPORT<br />
Illustrations are <strong>by</strong> Shirley<br />
Spencer, from her forthcoming<br />
book on shrubs of<br />
the Sierra.<br />
Featuring exciting educational programs,<br />
improved systems and facilities, impressive<br />
accomplishments, and talented new staff, 2005 was a heartening year for the <strong>Yosemite</strong><br />
Association. The period’s single most significant development was the completion of<br />
the <strong>Yosemite</strong> Valley Visitor Center lob<strong>by</strong> remodel, which included the total makeover of<br />
the association’s bookstore. The outlet now boasts state-of-the-art fixtures, lighting,<br />
and computer systems, along with a new location in the former National Park Service<br />
dispatch office.<br />
The improved facility paid immediate dividends with a marked increase (18%) in<br />
gross sales for the year—a remarkable figure given the previous year’s strong sales.<br />
This growth boosted the <strong>Yosemite</strong> Association to its second highest gross income<br />
(before our Aid-to-NPS donations) in the past fifteen years.<br />
Our membership, a supportive and dedicated bunch that’s over 10,000 strong, was<br />
integral to our success. Besides their dues, YA members donated nearly $100,000 in<br />
response to our annual fundraising mailer, and as volunteers contributed over 11,700<br />
hours of labor to various restoration, educational, and other programs in <strong>Yosemite</strong>.<br />
The <strong>Yosemite</strong> Cooperative Student Intern Program (sponsored jointly with the<br />
University of California at Merced and the NPS) expanded in 2005 to involve six college<br />
students. They received extensive training in a variety of <strong>Yosemite</strong> subjects and in the<br />
ways of the park service, while providing an important supplement to the park’s interpretive<br />
division.<br />
YA’s publications program continued to create and issue successful educational<br />
products and materials. The “<strong>Yosemite</strong> Commemorative Edition” of the California State<br />
Quarter proved to be our most popular sales item for the year, and our park identity<br />
logo series was expanded with the addition of <strong>Yosemite</strong> Valley products. During the<br />
year, YA’s fine press book, A Trip to the <strong>Yosemite</strong>, was named one the “Best 50 Books of<br />
2004” <strong>by</strong> the American Institute of Graphic Arts.<br />
In the administrative area, YA is now better equipped to keep track of our sales,<br />
inventory, and financial data. In 2005 we purchased and implemented a new integrated<br />
software system called Navision that has made our accounting and sales functions<br />
much more efficient. While the transition to Navision was at times painful, the new system<br />
holds great promise for improving our overall operation.<br />
Our educational programs took on new life under new director Pete Devine. Some 750<br />
participants enjoyed a broad-ranging variety of <strong>Yosemite</strong> Outdoor Adventure programs,<br />
including our second annual birding festival, and a botany symposium featuring worldrenowned<br />
conservationist Peter Raven. The <strong>Yosemite</strong> Art Center served over 2,000 park<br />
visitors during its six-month run, with talented volunteer artists offering free art lessons<br />
in <strong>Yosemite</strong> Valley.<br />
On top of extensive programmatic and in-kind support of the NPS in <strong>Yosemite</strong>, YA was<br />
able to contribute nearly $160,000 in cash to important park educational initiatives during<br />
2005. With the steadfast assistance of our members, friends, volunteers, vendors,<br />
and others, our association continues to make a difference in <strong>Yosemite</strong>.<br />
We extend our thanks and appreciation to every single person who involved him- or<br />
herself in our activities in 2005. It is because of you that we are able to accomplish what<br />
we do in <strong>Yosemite</strong>.<br />
Steven P. Medley<br />
President<br />
18 ANNUAL REPORT 2005