Many CSERC members may know Ackerson Meadow as the beautiful meadow site that they drive past on Evergreen Road as you head towards Camp Mather or Hetch Hetchy. Some may be aware that the meadow complex and the surrounding forest provide important habitat for the rare, State-listed Great Gray Owl. The Owl is an iconic, highly impressive bird that has extremely low numbers in California, making its breeding sites especially valuable. CSERC and other conservation interests have worked for over 15 years to attempt to get Ackerson Meadow into public ownership. A huge gully along the stream through the main meadow is in sore need of expensive restoration. Removing cattle grazing would reduce stream zone degradation from trampling and from the impacts to riparian vegetation. Without cattle grazing, the taller grass height would benefit montane voles, a key food source for the at-risk Owls. The good news is that the current property owner has agreed to sell the property to the Trust For Public Land, which would then transfer the property to Yosemite Park. This would be a great addition to the Park — adding a giant meadow important to a wide range of common as well as uncommon species 
But the bad news is that Tuolumne County supervisors have attempted to delay the transfer with complaints that no additional private land should go into federal ownership and that the County deserves greater “consultation” from the Park Service before any such action. A delay could kill the long-awaited deal and result in the property owner or the Trust For Public Land shifting to different options. CSERC STRONGLY SUPPORTS THE ACQUISITION OF THIS PRECIOUS MEADOW COMPLEX BY YOSEMITE PARK AND ACTIVE RESTORATION TO FULLY RESTORE ITS VALUES.
