Yosemite Conservancy provided financial support for the restoration of Crane Flat Meadow to its natural condition for the benefit of sensitive wildlife species, such as the great gray owl and the Pacific fisher. Intensive logging operations in the early 20th century left heavy scars on the meadow, including asphalt roads that disrupted the natural hydrology of the area. Volunteer groups removed 400 cubic yards of asphalt along an old railroad grade between Tuolumne Grove and Big Oak Flat Road, improving wildlife habitat and eliminating an unnecessary human footprint from the park. Work crews re-contoured the meadow to match the surrounding topography, which allowed for the restoration of natural hydrological processes and the return of wetland plant species. Through these actions, natural water flow in the meadow has vastly improved the overall health of the ecosystem.