Vegetation and Ecological Restoration staff will be conducting a restoration project July 6-July 29 in Stoneman Meadow. This project, called for in the Merced Wild and Scenic River Management Plan, began in 2020 but was not completed due to heavy smoke impacts from the Creek Fire. This project will fill a drainage ditch dug through the length of the meadow by early Euro-American inhabitants. Filling the ditch will retain moisture in the meadow and support wetland species. Yosemite Valley has lost 64% of total meadow acreage since 1866 (Ballenger et al. 2011) and the restoration actions of the Merced River Plan aim to enhance and expand meadow habitat. There may be occasional impacts (less than 2 minutes) at the intersection with Curry Village Drive and Happy Isle Loop Road as trucks enter and exit the site. Staff will be conducting traffic control for safety.
