Yosemite Conservation Heritage Center
Yosemite Conservation Heritage Center
The Yosemite Conservation Heritage Center was built by the Sierra Club in 1903-04. For over 100 years, a curator and Sierra Club volunteers have provided information to park visitors about Yosemite, the Sierra Nevada, and the national parks.
Evening Programs for September 2026
Please join us for FREE evening programs on select weekends in September. Evening programs start at 7:30 pm and last about an hour. We are located at shuttle stop #12 in Yosemite Valley.
Friday, September 11th: Poetry from Tahoe to Yosemite
Presented By: Chris Olander, Poet Laureate & ecology bio-educator
Join Chris as he recites his poetry arising from many years of living and exploring the real gold of Sierras and Yosemite with stories that brought the poems to light in his book “River Light.” You’ll even write a little poetry yourself!
Saturday, September 12th: Legacy of the Old Yosemite Village
Presented By: Alice van Ommeren, Author of Yosemite’s Historic Hotels and Camps
Old Yosemite Village was once a bustling community and the center of life in Yosemite, home to landmarks such as the Sentinel Hotel, the Cosmopolitan Saloon, and Degnan’s. Learn more about some of its unique establishments and how it became a creative hub for pioneering photographers and hear the story of its decline and relocation.
Friday, September 18th: Mystery Cat - Yosemite’s Elusive Mountain Lion
Presented By: Don Endicott - Interpretive Guide, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Join volunteer naturalist Don Endicott for a 60-minute multi-media introduction to the natural history of Yosemite’s seldom seen apex predator. Don will share the incredible attributes and signature behaviors of our big cats, show how relationships between Mountain Lions and people have changed over time, outline their key contributions to a healthy wilderness environment, and address the challenges and threats facing our local apex predator.
Saturday, September 19th: Amazing World of Bats, Nature’s Tiny Fighter Jets
Presented By: Don Endicott - Interpretive Guide, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Bats are fascinating animals with incredible skills of flight and nighttime navigation. Learn how they contribute to our environment in surprising ways. This multi-media presentation features photographs, video, audio clips, and museum specimens.
Watch our Video
If you are in Yosemite Valley, stop by this iconic and historical structure! Please note we are only open to the public May - September. We look forward to seeing you then!
Photo courtesy I-Ting Chiang
About the Lodge
The Sierra Club has operated the iconic Yosemite Conservation Heritage Center as a public education and visitor center since 1904. We promote the conservation ethic through public programs, educational displays, a library, and programs for kids and families.
Read MoreWHERE TO FIND US:
We are located at Bus Stop #12, across from the Housekeeping Camp, in Yosemite Valley. Bicycle parking available.
GPS Coordinates: N 37° 44.400 W 119° 34.76
Street Address: 9006 South Side Drive, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 755, Yosemite, CA 95389
The Center is open Wednesday through Sunday 10 am to 4 pm from May through September.
Connor McIntosh
Our Curator: Connor McIntosh
The current curator of the Yosemite Conservation Heritage Center is Connor McIntosh.
In 2023, Connor joined the Sierra Club as the Yosemite Conservation Heritage Center Curator with over a decade's worth of work in environmental and outdoor education within nonprofit and government sectors.
Learn moreSince its dedication in 1904, this building has served as a focal point for Sierra Club members and all visitors to Yosemite National Park who advocate for conservation and the national park idea.
Our History
The Sierra Club has had a long and close history with Yosemite National Park, of which this center is an important part. As our previous curator Bonnie Gisel said, "This is where the Sierra Club began its journey to the influential environmental organization it has become through the efforts of thousands of dedicated individuals and families."
Read moreWe gratefully acknowledge the Higman Endowment of the Sierra Club Foundation, which provides financial support to the Yosemite Conservation Heritage Center.