09/07/2024

To Whom It May Concern,

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to you as an employee of the Tuolumne Meadows Lodge, part of the renowned Yosemite National Park, which is cherished by millions of Americans and international visitors alike. As someone who is a staunch advocate for civil rights and public service, and who deeply values the preservation of our nation's natural treasures, I believe you will understand the urgency of addressing the serious and pressing issues we are facing in Yosemite National Park.

The mismanagement directly threatens the health and safety of visitors. The following hazards could severely affect public safety if not addressed:

• Sewage Issues: There have been incidents of sewage overflows in certain areas, including kitchen facilities such as the Ahwahnee kitchen. Inadequate cleanup of these overflows currently poses significant health risks due to potential contamination.

• Structural Safety Concerns: Several buildings, including visitor lodging, are in serious disrepair. Reports of deteriorating structures, such as roofs in need of repair, present an immediate danger to guests and staff. Without proper maintenance, there is a risk of injuries and/or fatalities.

• Asbestos Hazards: Some of the park's older buildings may contain asbestos materials. Without proper handling and renovation, visitors and employees could be unknowingly exposed to this hazardous substance, which poses serious long-term health risks.

• Rodent Infestations: There have been ongoing issues with rodent infestations in various facilities, including kitchens. This not only poses a health risk due to potential disease transmission but also affects the overall cleanliness and sanitation standards expected in such environments.

While these issues are apparent across various departments within the concessionaire managing the park, I will be focusing specifically on Tuolumne Meadows Lodge. This summer marked the lodge's reopening since 2019, and unfortunately, it has become clear that the management is only fulfilling the bare minimum of their obligations, showing little regard for both employees and the public. The way Tuolumne Meadows Lodge is being run "behind closed doors" is deeply troubling and undermines the high standards expected of such a vital component of Yosemite National Park.

The treatment of women has been particularly alarming. Derogatory comments and hostility are rampant, undermining the dignity and well-being of many employees. The pervasive hostility from management has led to numerous resignations. Those who remain are being forced to work excessive overtime without proper compensation, further creating a distressing work environment.

The compensation issues are severe. Most employees have not been paid for weeks or even the entire season, and tipped employees are missing out on their earned tips. When concerns are raised, management often dismisses or ignores them.

Additionally, the promised basic needs—such as adequate meals—are not being met, and the closure of the store for an extended period has left employees with limited food options.

We have also observed troubling favoritism within the management team, with decisions seemingly made to protect friends rather than to address the real needs of the lodge, visitors, and employees. The removal of internet access for employees and the limited functionality of phone services have further obstructed our ability to report these issues effectively. Many employees have reported safety concerns but are afraid to come forward openly due to a well-founded fear of retaliation. This environment of fear stifles communication and puts both workers and park visitors at risk.

The importance of national parks like Yosemite to the American public cannot be overstated. They are not only natural wonders but also vital to our cultural and environmental heritage. Visitors should feel confident that their safety, health, and enjoyment are being prioritized while experiencing these iconic landscapes. Likewise, ensuring the rights and dignity of all employees is essential to upholding the values of justice and equality that our nation strives to embody. The current state of Tuolumne Meadows Lodge, The Ahwahnee, the Yosemite Valley Lodge, and the Wawona hotel jeopardizes this legacy and the high standards we all expect from such a treasured institution.

We respectfully request your attention to these issues, hoping that your commitment to public service, public safety, and the preservation of our national parks will lead to meaningful intervention and improvements. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

A Concerned Employee of Yosemite Hospitality

Hollowbamboo7@gmail.com

And how would I go about volunteering?

Hello Sierra Club Members! I would like to open a discussion for everyone to talk about your favorite experiences in nature.

To start things off, one of my favorite hikes has been summiting Mt. Wrightson in Southern Arizona. It can be done in a day, I’ve even seen people so it multiple times in a day as they train for various things, but I would recommend camping along the way and making it a multiple day experience.

Hello! We are a team of researchers from Grinnell College, and we are conducting research about people’s experiences as members of Big 10 Environmental Movement Organizations. The purpose of our research is to learn more about how members and supporters of the Big 10 think about how their organizations engage with environmental issues and questions of social justice. If you’d be willing, please take / share our brief survey found at the link below. 

https://grinnell.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2ggsVQ2ZDvt2kse

Hi, I waited too late to vote by paper ballot (sorry!) and was trying to vote online at the link provided.

https://vote.escvote.com/sierra/I have tried two computers and several browsers and it keeps being blocked as a phishing site.

I realize I waited too late but now I can't seem to vote. I tried to look up whether there is a slate of "grassroots" candidates this year like last year, but there doesn't seem to be. Nevertheless, I wrote down my list of five I was going to vote for, and also left a message at the phone number it said to call 1-866-720-4357 but looks like I'm not going to be able to vote...

Ready to buy, exchange (for issue from another year) preferably a mint or even a used copy of this calendar.

They are suffering from the same mismanagement as an organization as their policies guided mismanagment of our forests. Mission creep meets mis-management results in failure. CMM

Does anyone else have the problem of their local chapter endorsing development heavy candidates who play lose and fast with environmentally protective laws and ordinances?

I got my ballot this morning and am curious to know if anyone has any pitches/input on the candidates.

I can see this subreddit doesn't get much action but I figured I'd post anyway.
So many years ago now I decided that since I was making more money I wanted to start contributing to worthy causes. For me, someone who likes the outdoors, I decided that joining the Sierra Club would be the first place I started. So for about 20 bucks I joined and got a rather cheap duffle bag as a gift. What followed after that was a cascade of unwanted gifts that hasn't ended to this day.

Immediately after joining I was flooded with mail from environmental charities all the time. Many of them send me a brand new nickel in the mail, some send seeds, some send a sheet of return labels with my name and address. And I don't want any of it. Especially the sticky return labels. Not only that but the Sierra Club itself constantly sent me mailings urging me to give more. Even though I was upset with all this the second year I was doing pretty well financially so I gave more when I renewed. And still all the same junk mail kept pouring in. So when my renewal came up for year three they had actually upped my membership fee to the larger amount I had donated the previous year. This is something I certainly could have afforded but I had had enough at this point. I felt like they were trying to take advantage of me. And the sheer waste of resources and my time was unbelievable. I not only have to shred everything with my name on it but I have all these sticky return labels with my name and address that will get stuck in my shredder. Today I received another mailing and it's been several years since I stopped renewing my membership.

The Sierra Club has changed my view on charities for the worse. Between them, the Susan G Komen Foundation corruption, the never ending cashiers asking ma if I want to donate to the Jimmy Fund, and the Salvation army at my grocery store every December I'm done. I've become cold to charities and will now only donate when I'm not solicited and only if I'm positive I won't be added to any mailing lists.