Kate Anderton w/ Julie Peterson photo courtesy of Dave Weiman

In May of 2002, ceremonies were held at the Sequoia National Park to recognize Park renovations and the addition of Dillonwood Grove. During the ceremonies, Kate Anderton (Executive Director 1999-2006) introduced 10-year old donor Julie Peterson. Julie had never before seen a giant sequoia tree and made the trip from her home in Seaside Park, New Jersey to California with her father, John Peterson. Two years ago, Julie sent a $20 check saved from her allowance to the League, to help with the $10.3 million campaign to buy Dillonwood Grove, the 1,540-acres containing the largest grove of privately owned sequoias. Save-the-Redwoods League secured $5 million from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, and $600,000 from the State of California. Gifts ranging from $5 to $1.5 million from League members, benefactors and foundations covered the remainder of the purchase price.

Dillonwood, now part of Sequoia National Park, is open to the public. Access is by foot only and facilities and services are not yet available. Park rangers spent the summer mapping the property and taking inventory of cultural, vegetation and animal resources so that plans can be made for enhanced access and trails.

For more information on Sequoia National Park, go to www.nps.gov/seki/.