The series consists of general correspondence and records specific to particular projects associated with meadow preservation. These records document use that may have affected meadow preservation, and most importantly, the park service’s efforts towards the continued preservation of meadows within Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park. The documentation of soil and moisture control, snow surveys, forestry and range conservation, and fences and gates, play important roles in the continued preservation of meadows.

The park’s meadows are an important natural resource and this collection contains a substantial amount of material documenting both the use of these meadows as well as their continued preservation. Soil and moisture control was a backcountry program that attempted to correct trail erosion and protect the park’s meadows. One technique to preserve meadows was cutting down pine saplings encroaching on the meadows. An important factor regarding the use of meadows was the prevalence of livestock grazing within the parks. Livestock grazing of the area that would later become Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park began in the 1850s and 1860s. For a substantial amount of time grazing of livestock was allowed, even after its establishment as a national park in support of concessioner’s activities, or in the case of Kings Canyon, the grandfathering of previous forest service area permits for a limited number of years. The Organic Act authorized livestock grazing, but Secretary Lane’s policy letter defined more specific regulations. The policy letter declared that sheep would not be allowed to graze in the parks and cattle were only allowed to graze in areas not typically visited by the public. The park service’s management of meadows began as a result of Lowell Sumner, a biologist, joining the park staff and evidence of swiftly increasing use of the park’s backcountry. Sumner conducted investigations of the effects of livestock grazing on the backcountry and recommended that some areas be closed to stock use. Records of fences built to keep livestock out of certain areas within the park are also important to the preservation of meadows. Livestock grazing ended in the early 1960s.