Caption + This undated photo provided by The Trust for Public Land shows Ackerson Meadow in Yosemite National Park, Calif. Visitors to the park now have more room to explore nature with the announcement on Wednesday. As Yosemite Conservancy’s President Frank Dean says, the Meadow will finally complete the park’s original plans, which date to 1890, honoring John Muir’s vision. It is the largest planned expansion for the California park in almost 70 years, said Tim Ahern of the group Trust for Public Land.
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FRESNO, Calif. (AP) Visitors to Yosemite National Park in California have more room to roam after official on Wednesday announced a 400 acre expansion of the park its largest in almost 70 years. The Trust for Public Land bought the land, which was previously used for logging and cattle grazing and which lies along the park’s western boundary, for $2.3 million, NPR reports.
The Trust then donated the land to the NPS.
“The purchase supports the long-term health of the meadow and its wild inhabitants”, an official said.
“We’re very excited. This pristine meadow is going to provide habitat for a number of protected species”, park spokeswoman Jamie Richards said. It is the park’s largest addition in almost seven decades.
Other draws to the park include the massive Half Dome rock and the sheer, granite face of El Capitan both admired by visitors from floor of Yosemite Valley. “We are delighted, and proud to make this gift to Yosemite, and the people of America”.
The meadow is home to many species of plants and animals, and park officials have labeled it as vitally important.
While the latest addition to Yosemite is less than 0.05 percent of the park’s total area, it is still the biggest addition to the park since 1949.
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Gediman has also said that he expects nearly five million visitors this year, which is an all-time record, flawless for the park’s 126th anniversary. “Most of San Francisco’s water is filtered by Yosemite’s meadows, including Ackerson Meadow”, the park service said. To support The Trust for Public Land and share why nature matters to you, visit www.tpl.org. Thanks to dedicated supporters, the Conservancy has provided more than $100 million in grants to Yosemite National Park.
