December 6, 2001
1,540 acres of wild, remote forest rich in wildlife, giant sequoias, and scenic vistas were added to Sequoia National Park today when Save-the-Redwoods League, a San Francisco based non-profit organization, finalized the purchase of the land for $10.3 million. The property, known as Dillonwood Grove, will extend the southern boundaries of Sequoia National Park in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains, located 92 miles southeast of Fresno.
Prior to the sale, the Dillonwood Grove was the largest grove of giant sequoia trees in private ownership, comprising 70% of the remaining privately owned sequoia forestland. Dillonwood’s inclusion in the park re-unites the grove with the bordering Garfield Grove, separated until now in name only. The two combined groves, botanically a single grove, and one of the five largest sequoia groves in existence, will now be managed as a single unit. “Save-the-Redwoods League took a real leadership role in securing the permanent protection of the Dillonwood-Garfield grove and the park is honored to be its steward,” commented Dick Martin, Superintendent of Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks.
Dillonwood ‘s forests include a unique variety of giant sequoia, not found elsewhere in the National Park, according to League Executive Director Kate Anderton. “In this beautiful forest you find the ancient, giant Sequoias, more than 2000 years old, towering over second growth trees 150 years old and younger,” Anderton said. “This creates an unusual and rich opportunity for a forest laboratory, where we can actually study the progression in the life of these magnificent trees”.
When naturalist John Muir walked through these forests in the 1870’s, he was especially moved by the beauty of these sequoias: “The entire upper portion of the Tule basin is magnificently forested with sequoia, the finest portion being on the north fork. This, indeed is, I think, the noblest block of sequoia in the entire belt, surpassing the giant forest of the Kaweah.”
Dillonwood’s acceptance by the National Park Service required expansion of the southern boundary of Sequoia National Park to include the property. Congressman George Radanovich (R-CA) and Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) introduced legislation to formally expand the park’s boundary. Moments before adjourning the last session of the 106th Congress, in December, 2000, HR 4020 was passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives to expand the boundary of Sequoia National Park to include Dillonwood Grove.
Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) secured a $5 million appropriation for Dillonwood’s purchase. Save-the-Redwoods League raised the remainder of the funds necessary for the purchase from foundations, individual donors, and the State of California.
Save-the-Redwoods League Executive Director Kate Anderton, remarking on the partnership nature of the transaction, which combined funding sources from federal, state, and private sources, noted, “ The widespread support has been very gratifying, coming from individuals in all 50 states, and even including an especially touching gift of an 8-year old’s allowance money.”
The League also acknowledges the Goldman Foundation, the Packard Foundation, Oracle Foundation, San Francisco Foundation, and the Wildlife Conservation Board for their generous support.
Wild and remote, Dillonwood is populated by bear, mountain lion, California spotted owl, pileated woodpecker, and goshawk. It is suitable habitat for the Pacific fisher, a species of special concern, and the wolverine. California condors were seen as recently as the 1960’s. In addition, the pure waters of the Tule Rivers’ North Fork are home to a number of native aquatic species. The property is also rich in cultural resources. Remains of a high-elevation seasonal Native American encampment, a significant archaeological site estimated to be 1800 years old, have been found on the property. A 19th- century sawmill has also been located.
The headwaters of the North Fork of the Tule River originate at Dillonwood. The integrity of this healthy riparian corridor and the pure waters flowing from there are of significance to the overall value and importance of this gift. Representatives of local land agencies refer to the League’s purchase as a key component of the watershed protection strategy for the Tule River.
The recent and former owners, Dave Reed, of Quincy, California, and his sister Susan Matthews of Agoura Hills, offered to sell Dillonwood to the League in 1999. Reed, whose family owned and managed Dillonwood for forty years, has spent most of his life on the property. He and his wife Nancy lived there for over 10 years, in a small cabin with no electricity. “That was my little paradise,” Reed remembered. While parting ways with the land is difficult, Reed said he and his family “feel that Sequoia National Park will be the next best steward of Dillonwood.”
Tentative plans for a June, 2002 dedication celebration are underway.
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