To preserve beloved natural wonder, Yosemite must reinstate reservations | Opinion

Reinstate reservations

“Disneyland requires reservations. Yosemite should too | Opinion,” (fresnobee.com, July 5)

Yosemite National Park should reinstate a reservation system during peak visitation because protecting the park and ensuring a high-quality visitor experience are more important than maximizing attendance. While reservations require planning, they are a reasonable way to preserve one of America’s most visited natural wonders.

Officials point to rising attendance and revenue, but higher numbers do not necessarily indicate effective management. The park’s mission is preservation, and uncontrolled crowds risk environmental harm. Increased demand actually supports the need to manage access during peak periods. Without limits, overcrowding can lead to erosion, damaged vegetation and soil compaction.

Reports of overcrowded trails support this concern. Visitors have shared videos of hikers forced to step aside on narrow paths due to congestion. Higher revenue does not guarantee safety or reduce liability risks.

Ultimately, Yosemite’s purpose is preservation and public enjoyment.

Jasmine Mingming

Fresno

Opportunities to succeed

“Fresno residents least equipped in US to handle financial shocks, study shows,” (fresnobee.com, Feb. 25)

Many families in Fresno struggle with the rising cost of housing, groceries, gasoline and other everyday expenses while wages have not kept up. High poverty rates, unemployment and housing costs all contribute to the financial pressure many residents experience. These challenges make it difficult for families to save money or prepare for emergencies.

Local leaders should continue working to create better paying jobs, expand affordable housing and provide more resources for financial education.

Fresno’s hardworking people deserve opportunities to succeed without constantly worrying about financial hardship.

Gabriela Alvarez

Orange Cove

Preserve community spaces

“Clovis could relax some apartment design rules, reduce parking and open spaces,” (fresnobee.com, July 3)

Cutting down on parking spaces and open green areas to save developers money will hurt the quality of life for the people moving into these homes. Removing parking will create crowded, unsafe streets nearby.

It’s necessary to build more affordable housing, but the city should offer tax incentives to developers instead of sacrificing community spaces.

Mika Magallanes

Fresno

Challenging equity argument

“Why the CSU treats access to AI for students, staff as an equity issue | Opinion,” (fresnobee.com, July 7)

Ed Clark, chief information officer for the California State University system, rehashes the discredited “equity” argument that tech companies have used for decades to justify pushing unnecessary commercial products onto students. Decades of research confirms that these products have had few beneficial effects on student learning and actually exacerbate inequalities among students.

There is something particularly troubling about using the language of “equity” to push a degraded educational experience onto lower-income students. Not only does it condescend to their abilities and potential, but it reinforces the attitude that a college degree is merely workforce preparation and that all technology — regardless of its quality or intended use — is de facto “innovative” merely because it is new.

If Clark wants students to have AI literacy, then they can learn these skills as part of a broader media literacy class.

Vincent Meserko

Lecturer, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo

Students’ nutritional needs

“Fresno, Clovis schools at odds with feds over new whole milk rules. Here are details,” (fresnobee.com, January 24)

The decision to bring whole and 2% milk back to school lunches reflects the influence of the dairy industry more than the needs of today’s students.

Millions of Americans are lactose intolerant, and nutritious, plant-based milks — such as soy, oat and almond — are widely available and can meet students’ nutritional needs without excluding those who cannot digest dairy.

Schools should provide meals that are healthy, inclusive and reflective of today’s diverse student population. Continuing to prioritize dairy over plant-based alternatives ignores both public health and the growing demand for more compassionate food choices.

Will Finnibrec

Fresno