The Yosemite Valley Chapel was built in the Yosemite Valley of California in 1879. The chapel was moved to its present location in 1901, as the old Lower Village dwindled. It's beautiful all year around but capturing it in a snowy night is a dream came true for me.
What makes public lands and waters so meaningful to me is that they belong to all of us. They provide places where people from every background can experience nature, reflect, learn, and reconnect with something larger than themselves. They also protect habitats that countless species rely on to survive. Standing quietly beside a wetland, hiking through a forest preserve, or photographing birds at sunrise has given me a greater appreciation for how interconnected these environments are and how important conservation is for future generations.