The story of our National Park Service and California State Parks is a uniquely American one. Throughout the 20th century, the commitment of everyday Americans from coast to coast has led to one of the most comprehensive and universally accessible parks systems in the world. Along the way, Save the Redwoods League has been a national leader and a grassroots facilitator in the work of saving public lands.
The National Park Service was created in 1916 by President Woodrow Wilson, who appointed San Francisco native Stephen Mather as its first director. At the time of his appointment, Mather was helping propel the creation of Save the Redwoods League, offering guidance and financial support to the founders.
An influential organization from the start, Save the Redwoods League helped spark the formation of the California State Parks system in the late 1920s. Since the League's establishment in 1918, with our members' and partners' support, we have protected more than 181,000 acres, developing 59 state and national redwood parks and reserves for everybody to enjoy.
The cornerstone of our protected parks continues to be the public. Save the Redwoods League members have played an integral role in saving some of Americas and California’s most precious places and natural resources. Explore some of these special places.
Here’s what you can do to help protect our treasured parks: