YOSEMITE – On Aug. 25, 2016, Yosemite National Park will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service (NPS). Yosemite has selected ten centennial signature projects that are designed to enhance the visitor experience, restore critical ecological and wildlife habitats, and connect with the next generation of park stewards.

NORTH FORK – “If we can’t find you, we can’t help you,” has long been the motto of those working to ensure everyone has a green reflective house number sign on their driveway. Students at North Fork School are now onboard with this mission, working with the North Fork Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary (NFVFDA) to help first responders by selling ...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) has released the final policy for managing snowmobile and other “over-snow” vehicle use on national forests and grasslands. As directed by court order, the policy requires that roads, trails and areas where over-snow vehicle use can occur be specifically designated by local Forest Service mangers.

NORTH FORK – After years of focused effort by local organizations, the North Fork biomass plant is now one giant step closer to reality. The North Fork Community Development Council (NFCDC) has announced conditional approval for a nearly $5 million grant sought to build a 1 megawatt (MW) bioenergy generation facility at the town’s former mill site.

FISH CAMP – The Little Ahwahnee Inn Yosemite, located 2.5 miles (94km) from Yosemite’s southern entrance, has just been awarded the “2015 Travelers Choice Award” by Trip Advisor. This award names the inn among the top 25 Bed & Breakfasts in the United States and the only one named in California. In 2014, owners Grant and Beth Robinson were excited ...

CLOVIS – In the process of achieving what he once called a dream, Fresno State graduate Antonio Cabrera was recently selected as the new Forest Engineer for the Sierra National Forest. Antonio is a civil engineer who has been with the Sierra National Forest since 2009. Originally from Mexico, Antonio worked as a farm laborer in Reedley from 1990 to ...

CLOVIS – The Sierra National Forest and Central California Consortium (CCC) are currently hosting an information booth at the Hmong International New Year at the Fresno Fairgrounds through January 1st. The CCC is an environmental education, minority outreach and recruitment program and serves as a bridge between the USDA Forest Service, underserved areas, and community partners. The mission of the ...

MOUNTAIN AREA – Besides the stunning natural beauty of the foothills, another valuable resource is locally abundant: the volunteer spirit. We asked SNO readers on Facebook to help us compile a list of volunteer opportunities, and heard from schools, churches, law enforcement, libraries, theaters, campgrounds and more. Here are volunteer positions from which to choose; the list is updated frequently.

AHWAHNEE – The new season of top-flight concerts at the Coolwater Ranch kicks off with Grammy-winning guitarist Mike Dowling on Saturday, Jan. 17, at 7 p.m. Dowling draws inspiration from American roots guitar. Bottleneck blues, vintage swing and ragtime are just a few of the styles in which he is fluent. With his self-deprecating wit and elegant interpretations of an ...

OAKHURST – Sheriff John Anderson was honored today by a room full of Citizens on Patrol (COPs) Volunteers – one of many programs he created as Sheriff, and one of numerous programs for which he will be best remembered when he retires next month. Forty volunteers surprised Sheriff Anderson with private farewell luncheon at El Cid in Oakhurst.