The DeBenedetti slide collection is comprised of color slide photographs taken between 1972 and 1976 during the first meadow restoration survey in Sequoia Kings Canyon National Parks, led by research Steven DeBenedetti and his colleagues. The meadow restoration project focused on stock grazing and trampling impacts in subalpine meadows, and was one of the first formal research projects in Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park.

Steven DeBenedetti earned his masters degree at UC Berkeley in the early 1970s and was hired in Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park as a biological technician in 1975. In his position at SEKI, he managed a meadows restoration survey project that focused on the impacts of grazing and trampling by stock usage. In 1983, he moved on to become the first natural resources specialist at Pinnacles National Monument. In 1968, the first formal science research program was established in Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park. Bruce Kilgore was hired as the first Research Scientist, and in 1973, Dave Parsons was hired as a Research Biologist. Among the first research projects in the park, back country visitor impact, foothill wildfire ecology, and meadow restoration took priority. The slides in this collection were created in conjunction with the meadow restoration project and focused on the impacts of stock usage in alpine meadows. These studies provided the basis for implementing a grazing management plan that included opening dates and limits on animal number for different meadow types. The work provided the basis for the meadow monitoring program that the park continues to support.

1 binder of 25 slide sleeves

Many collections are former federal government records and are in the public domain. Other collections are from private sources; copyright has been transferred to the NPS on most. Some collections have publication restrictions. Researchers are required to properly credit all materials used. The researcher assumes responsibility for acquiring copyright permissions when needed.

Collection is open for research by appointment.