National Parks

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“Yosemite Valley, to me, is always a sunrise, a glitter of green and golden wonder in a vast edifice of stone and space.” The Yosemite Ansel Adams spoke of and captured on film, looking up at the sheer granite face of El Capitan or the rainbow-reflecting sprays of Bridal Veil Falls is still there. But lower the camera to ground level, and instead of space, you see throngs of tourists, trash cans, crowded roads. 4 million people visit the park each year, and these days, gas fumes, road rage and long lines are often a bigger part of their experience than moments of pure slack-jawed splendor.

Guests:

Don Barry, Assistant Director, The Wilderness Society and former assistant secretary for Fish and Wildlife with Clinton Administration

Chip Jenkins, deputy supervisor, Yosemite National Park

and Mark Thornton, Tuolomne County Board of Supervisors.