Yosemite hails largest expansion since 1949 with land donation

Yosemite National Park in California is to gain a 400-acre addition, its largest expansion in almost 70 years.

Ackerson Meadow at the western edge of the current park was purchased from a private couple earlier this year by the Trust for Public Land for $2.3 million and donated to the National Park Service, a Yosemite spokeswoman said.

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.

The addition to the park in California features wetlands and a grassy meadow surrounded by tall pine trees on rolling hills that are home to endangered wildlife.

Yosemite National Park is the third most visited national reserve in the USA, featuring strikingly lovely waterfalls and the towering relief of the High Sierras.

Yosemite, considered one of the crown jewels of America’s national park system, regularly ranks among the top USA tourist attractions.

The National Park Service celebrated its 100th anniversary late last month.

The Yosemite expansion comes after three Southern California sites were designated national monuments this year: Sand to Snow, Mojave Trails and Castle Mountains.

“The generous donation of Ackerson Meadow will preserve critical meadow habitat that is home to a number of state and federally listed protected species”, said Yosemite National Park Superintendent Don Neubacher. Only 3 percent of the entire park’s area is made of meadows, the park service said in a statement. Anonymous donors contributed the rest, Gediman said.

Yosemite National Park just got bigger – 400 acres bigger, to be exact. “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. The Conservancy is also dedicated to enhancing the visitor experience and providing a deeper connection to the park through outdoor programs, volunteering, wilderness services and its bookstores.

“The original Yosemite boundary plans of 1890 included Ackerson Meadow, so it is exciting to finally have this important place protected”, Yosemite Conservancy President Frank Dean said.