JONATHAN “MOOSE” MUTLOW IS PICTURED RECEIVING HIS AWARD WITH YOSEMITE FUND PRESIDENT MIKE TOLLEFSON Few people have a passion for Yosemite National Park like Jonathan “Moose” Mutlow. For the past seven years, he’s become well-known for teaching kids about nature, responding to emergencies and for a unique study called “SPLAT Goes the Weasel,” which resulted in a new bear protection program. For his contributions to enhancing the Park and improving the visitor experience, Mutlow has been named the 2009 recipient of The Yosemite Fund Award.

The annual honor is presented to an unsung hero in the Yosemite community. Moose received commendation and a $2,500 check at the fund’s donor holiday celebration Dec. 16 in San Francisco. The award is sponsored by a donation to the nonprofit Yosemite Fund by the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund.

“Moose is passionate, professional and genuine,” said Mike Tollefson, president of The Yosemite Fund. “No challenge is too great for him. His service to the community as an educator, emergency responder and volunteer is inspiring. He encourages others with his wonderfully infectious energy.”

Moose is Associate Director of the Environmental Education Center for Yosemite Institute, a nonprofit that provides residential environmental educational programs in the Park for young people and adults. In addition to his work with the Institute, Moose tirelessly volunteers with a number of organizations in Yosemite. He has been president of the Friends of Yosemite Search and Rescue, and has eagerly served as an emergency responder, often dealing with distraught family members during a search rescue, or fatality. He volunteers and fund-raises to support ski race events and improve local schools.

Mutlow has received national attention for his entertaining and informative road kill study, “SPLAT Goes the Weasel.” The study provided insight into the foraging habits of the Park’s wildlife, which was used to launch the “Red Bear, Dead Bear” program to raise awareness of bear deaths caused by speeding cars in Yosemite, ultimately helping to reduce bear deaths. A native of England, Moose resides in Yosemite West, a community accessed through Yosemite National Park.

Award nominations are collected each year from the Yosemite community and reviewed by representatives of The Yosemite Fund. Some of the past 18 recipients include author Shirley Sargent, tribal leader Jay Johnson, Yosemite National Park Ranger Fred Bertetta, Yosemite Climbing Association Founder Ken Yager, performer Tom Bopp, ethnographer Craig Bates and biologist Jan Van Wagtendonk.

Since 1988, The Yosemite Fund has granted over $55 million for more than 300 projects in Yosemite. Fund donors include individuals, foundations and corporations. Contributors provide a margin of excellence in Yosemite, extending a longstanding tradition of private philanthropy in national parks. Results of the fund’s work on major projects can be seen most notably at the approach to lower Yosemite Falls ($13.5 million), Glacier Point ($4 million), Happy Isles ($2 million) and Olmstead Point ($1.2 million). Learn more at www.yosemitefund. org