It may seem like a harmless timesaver to leave the trail a take a shortcut across the verdant meadows of Yosemite National Park but over time impromptu footpaths can have a noticeable detrimental effect on the ecosystem.
At this time of year the vegetation in Yosemite’s meadow areas is still low to the ground making shortcuts all the more tempting but park officials want to remind visitors that the meadows house 50% of the parks biodiversity and trampling them destroys habitat.
“This summer, do nature a favor, and take the road more traveled.” -Yosemite National Park
Long story short, when you are on the boardwalks and paved paths through Yosemite’s meadows, you not only helping preserve the vegetation but the untold critters that call it home.
Yosemite National Park Statement:
Two roads diverged in a meadow, and I–
I took the one built for me by the National Park Service.
This time of year, many of Yosemite’s meadows are lush with vegetation. The beauty of the meadows might make it tempting to walk on social trails like this one cutting through Cook’s Meadow. But meadows, which are home to half of Yosemite’s biodiversity, can’t thrive when we trample their vegetation.
By staying on boardwalks and paved paths through meadows, you are helping maintain meadow’s loose soil structure. Loose soil acts as a sponge, soaking up water during wet seasons and holding that life-sustaining moisture when weather dries up.
Soil that has been stomped down from our footsteps can’t hold on to that water. Instead, moisture sits atop the meadow and evaporates off in the hot sun, leaving dry ground where nothing can grow.
This summer, do nature a favor, and take the road more traveled.
