Monday, Jun. 01, 2009

Yosemite park ranger to depict the story of Buffalo Soldiers at REI event

On Tuesday evening the Sacramento REI store will be visited by a ghost from the past when Shelton Johnson, a ranger at Yosemite National Park, takes on the character of one of the buffalo soldiers who cared for the park a century ago. Shelton -- an award-winning interpreter who is slated to be featured in the upcoming Ken Burns documentary on the national parks -- has often presented the story of how people of color contributed to environmental protection throughout our history.

As part of his job at Yosemite, Shelton also teaches an Outdoor Adventure course for the Yosemite Association on the Buffalo Soldiers. It's part of their "A Park for All People" seminar series at http://www.yosemite.org/17/Home.htm.

The free REI event is 7 p.m. Tuesday at the store, 1790 Expo Parkway, Sacramento. Call (916) 924-8900.