The Ackerson Meadow, according to park officials, provides a critical habitat for hundreds of plant and animal species, and it may be home to 33% of all plant species found in the park.
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Ackerson Meadow is located along Yosemite’s western boundary.
The addition increases Yosemite’s total space of almost 750,000 acres by 400 acres.
FRESNO, Calif. – Officials say Yosemite National Park will add 400 acres of meadows and forest in its largest expansion in 70 years.
The land was bought from a private owner for $2.3 million.
Park Superintendent Don Neubacher says the land on the western boundary will be preserved as habitat for protected wildlife.
He said he often saw bears strolling through the meadow and owls soaring over fields of vibrant wildflowers blooming in the springtime.
Mr Wainwright said he hadn’t wanted that experience to be available only to visitors who could afford to stay in a resort.
“To have that accessible by everyone to me is just a great thing”, Wainwright said. “This meadow is a remarkable gift to the American people, coming at a historic time as we celebrate the Centennial of the National Park Service”.
The Yosemite Conservancy contributed $520,000 toward the purchase, and additional support came from nonprofits the National Park Trust and American Rivers.
Yosemite National Park on Wednesday announced its largest expansion in seven decades with the donation by a conservancy group of a large meadow surrounded by trees that will be home to dozens of endangered species.
Yosemite National Park celebrated its 125th Anniversary a year ago and is now celebrating its Centennial Anniversary with the National Park Service. “We are delighted, and proud to make this gift to Yosemite, and the people of America” said the trust’s president, Will Rogers, in the statement.
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The land completes the park’s original plans from 1890, which included Ackerson Meadow, said Yosemite Conservancy’s President Frank Dean.
