REDWOODS Autumn/Winter 2017
Magazine published twice a year by Save the Redwoods League
Dear Save the Redwoods League Friends,
We are delighted to present this first issue of Redwoods magazine, which replaces our longtime Bulletin newsletter. Redwoods reflects how Save the Redwoods League is reimagining how we will protect, restore and connect people to the redwood forest as 2018, our Centennial year, approaches.
In this publication, we will elevate the national dialogue about redwoods and their conservation through in-depth articles that explore the forest in a broader environmental context, beginning with the story about our Redwood Genome Project. This pioneering work will help us understand — and eventually restore — the genetic diversity and resiliency of redwood forests. This project and others are part of our vision for our next 100 years. Our commitment to protecting the remaining old-growth redwoods has never been stronger, and in our next century of work, we will pursue our vision of healing younger redwood forests and regenerating the resiliency, diversity and splendor of California’s old-growth coastal forest for future generations. As we devote ourselves to protecting and restoring California’s redwood forest, we will restore our collective connection to our spectacular redwood parks, creating world-class park facilities and experiences that are worthy of these global treasures and that inspire visitors from all walks of life.
Redwoods will include stories of how we are realizing our vision for our next century, in addition to features that you have requested through our surveys. You will find more breathtaking photos, answers to your questions, details on parks to visit, images from our archive, and your stories and photos.
We hope you enjoy this inaugural issue.
Sam Hodder
President and Chief Executive Officer
Save the Redwoods League
Read Sam’s blog | Connect with Sam on Twitter @SamH4Redwoods
CONTENTS
Feature
When Icons Fall
Last winter’s storms toppled famous ancient redwoods, reminding us of the need to grow old-growth forests for future generations.
Feature
Mapping the Redwood Genomes
The League leads pioneering research to provide the critical tool in re-establishing logged forests’ genetic diversity and resiliency.
Ask an Expert
Why Is Fire Used to Manage Redwood Forests?
Controlled burns are an important and developing restoration strategy that promotes forest health.
Legacy
The Highway That Started a Movement
In 1917, after witnessing logging of colossal ancient redwoods along The Redwood Highway, our founders decided to establish the League.
Photo Essay
Wandering a Coastal Wonderland
The League celebrates the permanent protection of the quintessentially Californian Stewarts Point property.
Profile
Redwoods Inspire Bestselling Author
League volunteer T. A. Barron explains why the great trees are a recurring and central theme in his work.
Travel
A World Treasure to Reopen After Multiyear Restoration
Yosemite National Park’s Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias will feature new trails and a display interpreting events in the lifetime of a fallen giant.
Community
Share Why You Stand for the Redwoods
Our members offer their wishes for the forest on the eve of the League’s Centennial.
President and CEO
Sam Hodder
Sam Hodder
Chief Communications Officer and Editorial Director
Jennifer Benito-Kowalski
Communications Manager and Managing Editor
Jennifer Charney
Art Direction and Design
Day Projects
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, CONTACT US:
[email protected]
415-820-5856
Since 1918, Save the Redwoods League has protected and restored redwood forests and connected people with their peace and beauty so these wonders of the natural world flourish. Your donations help us purchase redwood forests and the surrounding lands needed to nurture them; regenerate logged forests so they become spectacular havens for future generations; study how to best protect and restore these global treasures; and introduce people to these magical places.
Contributors
Glen Martin was an environmental reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle for many years, and has contributed to more than 50 magazines, including Discover, Audubon, Forbes and Outside.
Jon Parmentier says he was lucky to spend seven years among the redwoods, photographing them, hiking and composing music.
Dana Poblete is a Los Angeles- based writer who covers sustainable lifestyles and natural history for publications including Condé Nast Traveler and Audubon.
Mike Shoys is a lifelong resident of the redwood range. A life of backpacking, hiking and other outdoor pursuits led him to become a passionate conservation photographer.
Andrew Slack joined Save the Redwoods League in 2016 as a Forest Fellow after earning a master’s degree in forestry and fire ecology from Humboldt State University.
Paolo Vescia is a lover of trees and an award-winning photographer based in Pacifica, California. His work has appeared in The New York Times, Smithsonian, Rolling Stone and various California newspapers.