OUR HISTORY

In 1917, three prominent conservationists - John C. Merriam, Madison Grant and Henry Fairfield Osborn - witnessed the destruction of ancient coast redwoods as construction of The Redwood Highway tore through the Northern California forest. These three accomplished naturalists had been persuaded to investigate the state of the redwood forests in northern California by the head of the National Park Service (NPS), Stephen Mather.

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. In the spring of 1918, with funds raised by Mather, they organized Save the Redwoods League to ensure that the remaining ancient forests flourish forever.

Thanks to our loyal members and friends around the world, we have achieved much to realize the founders' vision. In 2008, the League celebrated its 90th year.

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

Learn more about redwoods and Stephen T. Mather.

Since our establishment, we have been a leader in effective land conservation. We have:

• Assisted in the purchase of more than 181,000 acres to protect redwoods.
• Helped develop 59 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.

Read more about the League's accomplishments, League Timeline: A History of Accomplishments, and involvement in park development, Save the Redwoods League: A 20th Century Pioneer in Parks Development.

Despite our successes, there are still many important acres of ancient redwoods to save. After surviving for millennia, coast redwoods and giant sequoias still can be cut down for lumber or to make room for poorly planned residential and commercial real estate development.

To save the redwoods, in 2007 we completed the last of four coast redwood detailed regional plans that comprise the Master Plan for the Coast Redwoods, a science-based conservation strategy that guides our work.

The plan guides the League according to three strategies:

• Protecting the last stands of ancient redwood forest
• Ensuring redwood parks and reserves remain viable
• Maintaining the connecting forestlands

In 2009, we completed the portion of the Master Plan to save the giant sequoia, which only grows in small groves on the west slopes of California's Sierra Nevada.

• 90th Anniversary Fact Sheet
• 90th Anniversary Timeline
• Coast Redwoods Fun Facts

Enjoy a wide variety of activities in almost 40 redwood parks that our members have helped to protect.

Sign up to receive Save the Redwoods updates via our electronic newsletter, Redwood Matters.

• Sign Up Online
• Timeline

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