YOSEMITE – Yosemite Conservancy has named Adonia Ripple, a dedicated conservationist whose career protecting and improving wildlands began nearly two decades ago in the park, as its new General Manager of Yosemite Operations.
“Adonia has experience in land conservation, nonprofit operations and fundraising that is ideal for the position,” said Yosemite Conservancy President Mike Tollefson. “She has a unique ability to inspire people of all ages to preserve and protect our natural lands for future generations. We’re thrilled to have her join us.”
Ripple will oversee Conservancy operations in Yosemite, including its expansive line-up of educational programs and its retail operations, which are important to enhancing the visitor experience and raising funds for grants used to preserve and protect Yosemite.
“I’ve been looking for the right opportunity to return to Yosemite and re-dedicate my work to a place that I love deeply,” she said. “Even while living in Idaho and Wyoming for the last seven years, I’d still make regular trips to Yosemite to connect with the only land that feels like home and to visit friends.”
Ripple has been serving as Executive Director of Friends of the Teton River addressing water quality and fisheries issues in the Teton River basin. Before that she was Associate Director of Stewardship and Outreach for the Jackson Hole Land Trust in Wyoming responsible for the stewardship of more than 22,000 acres of protected land.
Ripple said she first became enamored with Yosemite as a Senior Guide for Southern Yosemite Mountain Guides. After that, she spent a decade working in Yosemite with the nonprofit environmental education school NatureBridge as a Field Instructor and then as Director of Operations.
“On a weekly basis for NatureBridge I managed 35 field instructors and 400 students at a dozen separate instructional sites, from river canyon to mountain peak, during every season of the year. It was an unforgettable experience that made Yosemite a familiar friend,” she said. “I hope to combine my past experience in Yosemite with subsequent work in the conservation arena to support the Conservancy’s meaningful work.”
Ripple’s Yosemite connections run deep. She met her husband Kelsey, now a writer and filmmaker, while they worked for NatureBridge. During their first stint in Yosemite they lived in Foresta, Yosemite West and El Portal. The couple has a four-year-old son named Cache.
Through the support of donors, Yosemite Conservancy provides grants and support to Yosemite National Park to help preserve and protect Yosemite today and for future generations. The work funded by Yosemite Conservancy is visible throughout the park, from trail rehabilitation to wildlife protection and habitat restoration. The Conservancy is dedicated to enhancing the visitor experience and providing a deeper connection to the park through outdoor programs, volunteering and wilderness services. Thanks to dedicated supporters, the Conservancy has provided more than $81 million in grants to Yosemite National Park. Learn more at yosemiteconservancy.org or call 1-800-469-7275. Contact: Peter Bartelme, Yosemite Conservancy, 415-664-1503.
