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 taken a trip to the redwood region in the north coast of California. Over the course of 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 had seen the dedication of one of the first Redwood Groves, the Bolling Memorial Grove. The report reprinted the dedication speech by J.D. Grant - the Chairman of Save-the-Redwoods League. The grove was established in Humboldt State Park in memory of Colonel Raynal C. Bolling, an American Officer who gave his life during World War I. Madison Grant and John C. Merriam spoke at the dedication of the grove. Their words 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 fighting to save these magnificent trees from destruction. One thing has not changed; the beauty and majesty of these trees remain undiminished.