Ackerson Meadow is one of the largest mid-elevation meadows in the Sierra Nevada, and the largest in Yosemite National Park and is an ecologically and regionally critical wildlife corridor. The Ackerson Meadow Restoration Project is the largest wetland restoration project in Yosemite’s history. It is the largest restoration project, by fill volume, to date within the Sierra Nevada. Learn more about this collaborative undertaking which started in late summer 2023.
The Mariposa Grove reopened in June, 2018, after being closed three years for restoration. Crews improved habitat for sequoias by removing parking lots and roads, and restoring the natural flow of water to the trees. Parking was relocated two miles away from the grove, and is connected by shuttle buses. The restoration also added accessible trails and improved bathrooms. This was the largest restoration project in the history of the park.
This short film about Black Oak Tribal Stewardship was produced by local Tribal film makers, Tisina Parker and Matthew Falcon. Thanks to Yosemite Conservancy donors for their support in funding this project.
Cascades Diversion Dam, once located on the Merced River just west of Yosemite Valley, was removed in 2004 followed by re-vegetation and monitoring of the river channel. After 68 years of operation, the hydroelectric facility associated with the dam was taken offline in the mid-1980s due to decay. The deteriorated dam, built of cribs formed by logs or square timbers spiked together, had spanned 184 feet with a crest height of approximately 17 feet. The National Park Service intended to restore the free-flowing conditions of the Merced, in keeping with its designation as a Wild and Scenic River. Removal has allowed for natural channel grades and hydrologic processes along this segment of river. Removal also eliminated the potential uncontrolled collapse of the dam, which had been weakened by the 1997 flood.
