Yosemite Centennial

A special program produced by KPIX-TV and hosted by Doug McConnell on September 30th 1990 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Yosemite National Park in the Sierra Nevada of Central California, which was formally established by an act of Congress on October 1st 1890. With segments featuring: a return to El Capitan by Mark Wellman who made a paraplegic ascent of El Capitan in July 1989 with Mike Corbett. Wellman helps Chris Beach to climb approximately halfway up a practice rock; the history of tourism and recreation in the park, including sky diving off El Capitan (in 1980); actor and scholar Lee Stetson's portrayal during nature walks and on-stage of conservationist John Muir, which he has done since 1983 (and continues to do so as of 2018); the return of peregrine falcons and big horn sheep to Yosemite thanks to the wildlife program, explained by biologist Jeff Kay; Yosemite's bear managment program; photographer Michael Frye, taking shots of a coyote and a great blue heron; photographer Ansel Adams, including an interview from 1984, shortly before he died; the work of park ranger Laurel Munson Boyers, of whom McConnell states: "If Yosemite is a natural museum for hikers, then Laurel is its curator." Boyers reflects that: "I was born here and have been fortunate enough to spend most of my life in the mountains, here in the park. I think you'll see me here as a grey old lady back here on the trails, hobbling up and down, checking wilderness permits. I hope so anyway"; work in progress by the California Conservation Core; the impact of natural disasters such as wildfires, with an explanation of Yosemite's ecosystem from the park's Chief Naturalist Len McKenzie; interviews with visitors who've been coming to the park for many decades; an interview with Coast Miwok-Kashaya Pomo Julia F. Parker, a renowned basket weaver, who discusses the history of the Ahwahneechee people of Yosemite Valley and an interview with park ranger and naturalist Carl Sharsmith, who is shown leading a nature walk through Tuolumne Meadows. This program was produced by Richard Saiz, edited by Terry Kane Chinn, with camera by Steve Parmley and Rick Corona.  Opening graphic designed by Carrie Hawks.