In 1917, three prominent conservationists — John C. Merriam, Madison Grant and Henry Fairfield Osborn — witnessed the destruction of ancient, towering coast redwoods as construction of The Redwood Highway tore through the Northern California forest.

They were appalled to find that not one of these astounding redwoods, which grow only along the Northern California-Oregon coast, was protected for public enjoyment. The next year, in the spring of 1918, they channeled their sense of urgency and organized Save-the-Redwoods League to ensure that the remaining ancient forests flourish forever.

Thanks to you, our loyal members and friends around the world, Save-the-Redwoods League has achieved much to realize the founders’ vision. In 2008, the League celebrates its 90th year, the anniversary of the first donations the organization received to purchase redwood land.

Read more about the League's history and plans to expand redwood protection: Spring Bulletin 2008 (PDF).

Learn more about the coast redwood and giant sequoia.

Screen Saver: Get a computer program that displays a slide show of historic and recent redwood photos on the screen of your computer when it is on, but not in use.

E-Cards: Write a message and e-mail electronic greeting cards that feature historic and recent redwood photos.

Wallpaper: Choose one historic or recent redwood photo for the background (desktop) of your computer screen onto which your computer's icons, menus and other operating system elements are displayed.

Since its establishment, the League has been a leader in effective land conservation. It has:

• Assisted in the purchase of more than 180,000 acres to protect redwoods.
• Helped develop 53 redwood parks and reserves that capture the diversity of the redwood forest.
• Increased understanding of the forests through a competitive Research Grants Program.
• Supported, through the Education Grants Program, more than 150 redwood education and interpretation projects for people of all ages.
• League Timeline: A History of Accomplishments

Despite our successes, there is still so much work to do: The League must continue to answer many urgent calls for redwoods stewardship. To ensure the redwoods’ survival, the League in 2007 completed the last of four coast redwood detailed regional plans that comprise the Master Plan for the Redwoods, a science-based conservation strategy.

The plan guides the League according to three strategies:

• Protecting the last remnants of ancient redwood forest.
• Securing viable redwood parks and reserves.
• Maintaining the connecting forest landscape.

Another plan is under development to save the giant sequoia, which only grows in small groves on the west slopes of California's Sierra Nevada.

The League’s past has been as exciting as its future will be. Join us in celebrating our history and the work that lies ahead: Enjoy a wide variety of redwood activities in almost 40 parks that our members have helped to protect.

SPECIAL 90th ANNIVERSARY EVENT: Run, walk or root for participants in the second Save the Redwoods League-sponsored marathon this year in Humboldt Redwoods State Park, which the League created and has helped protect for the last 90 years. Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008: The 30th Annual Humboldt Redwoods Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K.

Sign up to receive league updates via our electronic newsletter, Redwood Matters.

• Archives
• Timeline

Donate or become a member to help the League save redwoods for the next 90 years and beyond.