YOSEMITE – The Yosemite Conservancy invites everyone to show their love for Yosemite and support their projects by purchasing Yosemite license plates.
When California drivers purchase Yosemite license plates from the DMV, $20 from each sale goes to support Yosemite Conservancy’s programs and projects in the National Park.100 percent of the funds contributed through the specialty license plate program are applied directly to specific projects that preserve and protect the park, and enrich the visitor experience.
Yosemite Conservancy allocates 100 percent of the funds to specific projects, even though legislation allows for up to 25 percent to be used for an organization’s administrative costs.
The program has helped fund park projects that may not have occurred without the support of Yosemite Conservancy donors. The National Park Service in Yosemite provides the Conservancy with a priority list of projects where funding is needed. For example, funding from the specialty license plate program has been used on the following projects:
o Expansive improvements to the Happy Isles area in Yosemite Valley, including a new exhibit at its visitor center, creating wheelchair access and rehabilitating trails.
o Improving the approach to Yosemite Falls, including a new trail system, habitat restoration, new picnic areas, interpretative displays and more.
o The Junior Ranger program for children, which encourages a love of the outdoors, national parks and healthy lifestyle through ranger-led activities.
o Improving overlooks with major renovations of viewing areas, adjacent trails, parking and educational information. These locations include: the iconic Tunnel View of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome overlook on Highway 120 looking toward Half Dome and the Yosemite Valley, and Olmsted Point along the Tioga Road with expansive views of Sierra mountain ranges, Tenaya Lake and Yosemite Valley.
o Bear-proof food lockers that help keep bears healthy and people safe.
Annually, from $800,000 to $1 million has been generated through the specialty license plate program, according to the Yosemite Conservancy’s website. In 2011, approximately $800,000 was raised by the program from 42,000 participants.
Yosemite Conservancy qualified for the program in 1993, becoming one of the first specialty license plates in California.
The nonprofit Yosemite Conservancy is the only philanthropic organization dedicated exclusively to the protection and preservation of Yosemite National Park and enhancement of the visitor experience. The Conservancy works to restore trails, protect wildlife through scientific research and habitat restoration, and offers outdoor programs that provide visitors with unique ways to connect with the park. It has funded projects in areas including trail and habitat restoration, wildlife protection, education, volunteering, and the production of award-winning books and DVDs. Learn more at www.yosemiteconservancy.org or call 1-800-469-7275
To purchase your Yosemite license plates online through the California Department of Motor Vehicles online, please click here.
Please note that the DMV license plate online application process works best using Microsoft Internet Explorer and the online application process may not function in some other browsers (Google Chrome & Firefox).
