Author Archives: Save the Redwoods League

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.
Wildfire fuels management team conducting a prescribed burn in a giant sequoia grove

Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition 2025 Progress Report Shows Accelerating Restoration Efforts

by Save the Redwoods League on

Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition (GSLC) today released its 2025 Progress Report, showcasing significant advances in protecting the world’s remaining giant sequoia groves from shifting climates, catastrophic wildfire and emerging threats such as bark beetles. GSLC partners have conducted restoration activities in 44 of the world’s 94 sequoia groves since 2022, reducing the risk of extreme wildfires and improving overall forest health.

Smoke and low severity fire burning accumulated fuel in a giant sequoia forest

New Scientific Study Assesses State of Giant Sequoias, Reveals 18% Mortality of Mature Trees Due to Severe Wildfires

by Save the Redwoods League on

A new scientific study from the Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition (GSLC) reveals the current state of California’s giant sequoia range and quantifies the alarming extent of damage caused by extreme wildfires over the last decade. More than 17% of all mature giant sequoias have been killed by wildfire since 2015, while less than 1% perished in the 30 prior years. Most of the losses since 2015 occurred during the megafires of 2020 and 2021.

A professional headshot of Cecilia Cordova wearing a white blazer and black shirt.

Save the Redwoods League Names Cecilia Cordova as Conservation Finance Director

by Save the Redwoods League on

Cordova joins Save the Redwoods after serving more than five years as investment director at Mirova, where she guided private equity investments in land restoration, sustainable agriculture and climate adaptation in Latin America. Her successful track record of mobilizing capital for nature-based solutions, extensive experience in impact investment and her sophisticated understanding of carbon markets will help Save the Redwoods’ conservation programs and acquisitions remain financially resilient.

lateral aerial view of a coast redwood tree canopy scenic vista

Save the Redwoods League Secures Opportunity to Expand Harold Richardson Redwoods Reserve and Protect Sonoma County’s Ancient Redwoods

by Save the Redwoods League on

Save the Redwoods League has secured an agreement with the Richardson family to acquire 200 acres in Sonoma County, including a nearly 35-acre old-growth coast redwood grove, directly adjacent to the Harold Richardson Redwood Reserve property the League acquired from the family in 2018. The League seeks to raise $4 million for the acquisition of two properties totaling 200 acres. Within the additional old-growth grove on this land, more than 200 trees stand taller than 200 feet, with some reaching 250 feet. This acquisition will expand the Reserve to 930 acres — a more than 25% increase in size — and serve as a protective buffer to the Reserve’s hundreds of old-growth coast redwood trees in an era of climate change. Securing these properties also opens the way for the League to realize its long-standing vision of establishing recreational access and programs at the Reserve.

Red Hill Grove provides critical habitat for a wide variety of rare, threatened and endangered species, including the northern spotted owl. Photo by Tom Kogut/USFS, Flickr Creative Commons

Save the Redwoods League Opposes Four Harmful Changes to the Endangered Species Act—Seeks Comments by December 21

by Save the Redwoods League on

Habitat loss and destruction are the primary threats to endangered species. These proposed changes would undercut some of the ESA’s ability to prevent species loss and protect the critical habitats that endangered species depend upon. Stripping these protections runs counter to ecological science, legal precedent and the core intent of the ESA—to conserve species and the ecosystems they rely on to survive. If the strict protections in the Endangered Species Act are dismantled, it will weaken the ability to protect more redwood landscapes in the future.

Chris Swanston leaning against a birch tree in autumn

Save the Redwoods League Names Chris Swanston, Ph.D., as Director of Science

by Save the Redwoods League on

Chris Swanston, Ph.D., has been named director of science, a key position for Save the Redwoods League, one of the nation’s first science-based conservation organizations. The League relies on high-quality scientific research to inform its protection and restoration efforts across the coast redwood and giant sequoia ranges.

Together, we expanded Monte Rio Redwoods

by Save the Redwoods League on

Save the Redwoods League has purchased and transferred the Monte Rio Redwoods Expansion property to Sonoma County for ongoing stewardship.

Benjamin Friedman

Save the Redwoods League Names Ben Friedman as Director of Government Affairs & Public Funding

by Save the Redwoods League on

Save the Redwoods League announced today that Ben Friedman has been promoted to director of government affairs and public funding. His position is key to supporting the programmatic capacity of the League, which works to protect and restore coast redwood and giant sequoia ecosystems. Friedman will report to Paul Ringgold, chief program officer.

Aerial view of a vast, lush redwood forest with rolling hills covered in dense evergreen trees. Low-lying mist drifts through the towering redwoods, creating a serene and ethereal atmosphere.

Monte Rio Redwoods Regional Park Quadruples in Size with Newly Conserved Addition

by Save the Redwoods League on

The Monte Rio Redwoods Regional Park Expansion is now officially protected, thanks to the efforts of Save the Redwoods League and its partners! This 1,517-acre addition secures vital redwood forest, wildlife habitat, and salmon streams in Sonoma County. Thanks to the generous support of the California Wildlife Conservation Board and our incredible partners, this land will be permanently protected and eventually opened for public access.