The Yosemite Grant (1864)

The Yosemite Grant of 1864 was a pioneering law that set aside land in California’s Yosemite Valley and surrounding areas as protected public property for preservation and public use. It was one of the first instances where the U.S. government designated land specifically for conservation, recognizing its natural beauty and importance. This act laid the groundwork for future national parks and marked a significant shift toward protecting natural landscapes from private development. Essentially, the grant ensured that Yosemite would remain a scenic and accessible natural area for everyone to enjoy and appreciate forever.