Stanislaus celebrates milestones in Ackerson Meadow Restoration Project

The Stanislaus National Forest, Yosemite National Park and other partner agencies celebrated the completion of phase 1 of the 2-year Ackerson Meadow restoration at Ackerson Meadow near Groveland Calif, June 12, 2024.

“Ackerson Meadow, a 230-acre meadow system, is one of the largest mid-elevation meadows in the Sierra Nevada, the largest in Yosemite National Park and is an ecologically and regionally critical wildlife corridor. The Ackerson Meadow Restoration Project is the largest restoration project, by fill volume, to date within the Sierra Nevada.

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The ceremony was held at the border between the Stanislaus National Forest and Yosemite National Park, a fence separating the land.  A portion of the forest side will still be utilized for grazing cattle, while the park side will be a vital habitat for a variety of species within the Sierra Nevada, including the Northwest Pond Turtle and Great Gray Owl.

The project, which began late last summer, is more than 10 years in the making with 15 different partners and the result of a successful collaboration between state, local and federal and non-governmental organizations according to Cicely Muldoon, the park superintendent of Yosemite National Park.

“The power of partnership in this project can’t be overstated,” she said.

“Meadows like Ackerson are considered wet meadows and are essential to water storage. They are characterized by grasses or grass-like species and while woody trees and shrubs may exist, they do not dominate the landscape.

Unfortunately, historical overgrazing has led to severe erosion and gullying, which has affected the health of the meadow and threatened the habitat for a variety of native animal and plant species.

So far, the Stanislaus National Forest, Yosemite National Park and partner agencies have rewetted 78 acres wetlands and 1.5 miles of gully has been filled with approximately 150,000 cubic yards of dirt. This valuable wildlife area is home to many species, including the Pacific Fisher, the Northwest Pond Turtle, the Little Willow Flycatcher, and the Great Gray Owl.

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“While Phase 1 groundwork is complete and roughly 8 acres of native species revegetation is underway, to include 18 pounds of native, locally collected seed from over 20 plant species and 126,900 wetland container plants from four species of native sedge, there is still more work to be done. The second phase is expected to begin in the Fall of 2024 and Spring of 2025.

Long term benefits of the ambitious project include returning hydrologic function to the meadow, providing valuable wildlife habitat to rare species, and improving resilience of the meadow.

“One of the largest meadow restorations to ever occur in the mid-Sierra Nevada range and ensures this land will continue to provide for threatened and endangered species, improve water quality increase ground water storage, sequestration of high rates of carbon, improve visitor experiences and renewed by for tribal interests,” said Jim Junette, the district ranger for the Groveland Ranger District.