The year was 1922, and the League opened its annual report with a letter from John C. Merriam, then President of the Carnegie Institution of Washington D.C., as well as President of Save the Redwoods League.
He had recently traveled through the redwood region along California’s north coast. During his 500 mile journey, he noted that "evidences of destruction of the forests are more abundant in the region in which the League is operating than in any other region through which [he] passed." He noted that the League had begun its work in the areas most under threat, and by doing this was able to save some of the most magnificent redwood groves from certain destruction. You can view the results of this early pioneering work if you travel the redwood highway today.
The previous year, the Bolling Memorial Grove, was the first grove dedicated in Humboldt State Park in memory of Colonel Raynal C. Bolling, an American Officer who died in World War I. The report reprinted the dedication speech by League Chairman J.D. Grant. The words of Madison Grant and Merriam at the dedication are still relevant to the cause today:
"There is a growing realization of the charm and beauty of the redwoods. Travelers are visiting them from all parts of the United States. But this is only the beginning. In years to come, if we save these trees as we propose to do, thousands upon thousands will journey to this part of California to see the greatest and oldest of living things."
In part, their dream has been realized - thousands of people visit the redwoods each year. But nearly a century later, we are still working to save these magnificent trees from destruction. Another thing has not changed: the sense of awe, reverence and peace these redwoods inspire.
