This project had two goals, really, and one was to restore giant sequoia habitat
and really improve the health of the giant sequoias in this grove
for future generations. And the second goal
was to improve the experience that visitors have when they come to the grove.
We had an old parking lot,
and unfortunately that parking lot was located right amongst the trees
right amongst the giant sequoias.
and we also had old abandoned roads that came through the grove
with asphalt again right on tops of roots
and very close to the trunks of these giant sequoias.
One of the things that we wanted to improve for the visitor experience
was a more quiet experience when they got off the shuttle bus.
There was a lot of activity there: we had a gift shop, there were delivery trucks,
there were buses, there were cars, horns honking,
and that was the experience you were in when you arrived at the grove.
It's been a great honor for me to be able to work on this project.
We've been trying to work in the Mariposa Grove for many years,
and we just didn't have the funding to do it,
so, through the Yosemite Conservancy's support, this is like a dream come true
in that we're able to really restore this grove for future generations.
It all brings a very warm feeling to my heart.
And I think we're going to see the benefits of this project
for years and years to come.