High Profile Ambassadors Named to Yosemite
Yosemite, CA – Legislators, academic leaders, and athletes round out a diverse group named as Yosemite Centennial Ambassadors to champion the park.
On Wednesday, the park announced that the ambassadors include Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom, U.S. Representative Mike Thompson (D-CA-5), University of California President Janet Napolitano, historian and filmmaker Dayton Duncan, author Terry Tempest Williams, San Francisco news anchor Ken Bastida, and Yosemite Conservancy President and CEO Frank Dean. From the sports world, there is professional soccer player Megan Rapinoe along with world-class rock climbers Conrad Anker, Beth Rodden, Timmy O’Neill and Tommy Caldwell. Caldwell, as previously reported, was one of two climbers to free-climb El Capitan.
The ambassadors will take to social media and the park’s website to promote Yosemite by posting their special memories, stories, experiences, pictures, and videos from times spent at the park and attending some centennial celebration events this year. Park spokesperson Ashley Mayer notes, “They’ll be attending events, both in the park and Gateway Communities. If you’re interested in meeting some of these folks come on out and celebrate with us and you might get a chance to meet one of these ambassadors.”
Park officials hope this group will help the park connect with and inspire the next generation of visitors. “I’m honored and excited to serve as a Yosemite Centennial Ambassador,” stated Gavin Newsom, California’s Lieutenant Governor. “The park is incredibly important to the State of California, and some of my most treasured memories are camping and hiking in Yosemite National Park with my family.”
For the entire list of ambassadors and centennial event information, click here.
