FRESNO (KMJ) – Yosemite National Park Is expanding by 400 acres.
A nonprofit conservation group bought the land from private owners for $2.3 million dollars and donated it to Yosemite.
Park Spokesperson Scott Gediman says it’s the the largest expansion in nearly 70 years.
“This landowner was willing to sell the land, and its critical habitat, so important for us in Yosemite and we were thrilled to get it. The Trust for Public Land and Yosemite Conservancy have literally been working for years on arranging this, so the deal just closed today, and it is now officially part of Yosemite National Park.” – Scott Gediman, Yosemite Park Spokesperson.
The land on the Western boundary has expanded to include 400 acres of tree-covered Sierra Nevada Foothills and grassland, with a creek that flows into the Tuolumne River.
“Donating the largest addition since 1949 to one of the world’s most famous parks is a great way to celebrate the 100th birthday of our National Park Service – and honor John Muir’s original vision for the park. We are delighted, and proud to make this gift to Yosemite, and the people of America.” -Will Rogers, President of The Trust for Public Land.
“This is a place called Ackerson Meadow on the western boundary of the park near Hetch Hechy. It’s a beautiful meadow with wildflowers, great habitat for plants and animals, there’s wetlands, water that goes through it, it’s a really beautiful critical piece of property.” – Scott Gediman, Yosemite Park Spokesperson.
The acreage will be preserved as habitat for protected wildlife.
