School and Group Programs

Student Research and Monitoring

As part of their Yosemite Institute experience, many students take part in scientific research and monitoring projects. By participating in these projects they: Contra Costa College students collect Level III data

  • Learn how to carry out a scientific study

  • Collect data that informs park management decisions

  • Increase our understanding of the park’s ecology

  • Develop a unique connection with Yosemite that they can revisit in the future.

If you would like to take part in a project during your trip, please indicate this on your pre trip questionnaire. Current projects include the following.

Water Quality Monitoring

In partnership with the Upper Merced Watershed Council, Yosemite Institute students measure factors such as pH, conductivity, clarity and dissolved oxygen concentration in four creeks in Yosemite Valley. By collecting these data at regular intervals, we are able to monitor changes and alert park managers to any pollution. Click a flag on the map to see typical data.


View Yosemite Institute Water Quality Monitoring Sites.kmz in a larger map

Water bird surveys 

The species of bird that we see around the Merced River can tell us a lot about the health of this ecosystem. By doing regular, five-minute counts at various points along the river, students contribute to a database of birds so that we can look for changes in community structure.

Snowpack monitoring

During winter months, students measure the depth of the snow in Crane Flat Meadow every week. This enables us to observe the effects of climate change and make decisions about how we use the meadow. We only ski on the meadow when the snow is deep so that we do not damage this fragile ecosystem.


 

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