Author Archives: Sam Hodder

President and Chief Enthusiast for the Outdoors (CEO) of Save the Redwoods League, Sam brings more than 25 years of experience in overseeing land conservation programs from the remote wilderness to the inner city.

Huey Johnson

We lost one of the greats of conservation yesterday

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I want to share some brief thoughts on the passing of Huey Johnson. Huey was a powerhouse and created the “land for people” era of the modern conservation movement. Starting with the Marin Headlands that have since grown to define …

A long line of people wearing yellow, white, and blue construction hats walk through ferns past a large redwood tree stump. Photo by Max Forster

Put Californians back to work through conservation

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Redwoods restoration can integrate climate adaptation into economic recovery As Governor Newsom and California’s lawmakers grapple with how best to mitigate impacts of COVID-19 on our lives, health and the economy, the people of our state have voted with their …

Redwoods nestled in a bed of sorrels

Advancing our mission during a global crisis

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According to California’s stay-home order, our staff has been working remotely, pursuing our vision that’s built on a foundation of hope and healing.

League President Sam Hodder and Emily Burns, Director of Science, Planning & Education, were among our panelists discussing redwoods’ secrets and how to help protect the forest. Photo by Paolo Vescia

An important note from Sam Hodder

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It is my sincere hope that you and your loved ones are well and taking good care in these uncertain times.

Sam Hodder with one of the giant sequoia at Alder Creek.

We Have to Save This Place

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And now, we can announce the pending acquisition of the largest unprotected sequoia grove. Alder Creek is located near Camp Nelson off Highway 190, and is surrounded by the Giant Sequoia National Monument. It’s no exaggeration to call Alder Creek a crown jewel of the giant sequoia. In both size and conservation value, it is comparable to the famous Mariposa Grove, Yosemite National Park’s iconic giant sequoia stand.

Celebrated with 3,000 visitors at the Stand for the Redwoods Festival in San Francisco.

Thanks for Making Our Centennial Year Amazing

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As we reflect on 2018 — the Centennial year for Save the Redwoods League — I’m excited to share some of the many successes that you made possible.

California Bear Love

Our Hearts Are with Those Affected by Wildfires

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Our hearts are with everyone affected by the devastating wildfires here in California. We watched with shock, horror, and sadness as these fires uprooted families, burned homes, and took lives.

Thank you for celebrating the League's 100 anniversary with us during our Centennial Celebration Week!

Thank You for Celebrating with Us!

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Thank you for being a part of the League family and for joining us at the many events and activities held during Centennial Celebration Week from October 7–14! All of us at the League have enjoyed meeting so many dedicated members and supporters and celebrating a century of work together during this special week.

Celebrations of the Century: Join us Oct. 7-14

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It has been 100 years since the founders of Save the Redwoods League first resolved to protect California’s redwood forests — a mission that would build momentum for America’s conservation movement and create and expand world-renowned redwood parks — crown jewels of the state and national park systems. So now, in our Centennial year, we’re hosting a week-long celebration October 7-14, 2018 to honor that legacy, renew our commitment to protecting and restoring these remarkable forests, and celebrate the dedication of all those who came before us to save the redwoods.

Pristine unnamed creeks run through Harold Richardson Redwoods Reserve.

Hidden Gem to Become Future Redwood Park

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Nestled in the wooded hills just a few miles inland from the Sonoma coast lies an oasis of towering old-growth coast redwoods. It is a humbling, inspiring, and spectacularly beautiful place. This pristine 730-acre forest, as large as San Francisco Bay’s Angel Island, is the Harold Richardson Redwoods Reserve.

Save the Redwoods League Centennial Vision for Redwoods Conservation

A Bold, New Vision for the League’s Next 100 Years

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Marking a critical moment in the 100-year history of Save the Redwoods League and the future of redwood forest conservation, we are releasing two defining documents: our State of Redwoods Conservation Report and Centennial Vision for Redwoods Conservation. They are the result of bold, aspirational visioning, robust strategic planning by the Council and Board of Directors of Save the Redwoods League, and extensive scientific research conducted by the League’s professional staff and partners.

: LWCF helped make it possible for Save the Redwoods League to protect part of the Prairie Creek corridor and add the land to Redwood National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Photo by Max Forster

Speak Up to Save the Land and Water Conservation Fund

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Redwood National Park, Muir Woods National Monument, and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks — over the last five decades the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) helped protect them all. We need your help to tell Members of Congress to support LWCF and renew the program before it ends in September 2018.

Trail along a redwood forest

The Transformation of California State Parks

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With 280 parks across 1.6 million acres, hosting more than 74 million visitors last fiscal year alone, California is one of the largest state park systems in the United States. In a focused and comprehensive effort to keep these world-class parks open and thriving, seasoned leaders from California State Parks and outside entities helped plan for and implement 60 ambitious initiatives, from a new state-of-the-art reservation system to increased protections and improvements for the parks statewide. Here are just some of the improvements for redwood state parks.

Youth participants in event at Sequoia National Park for Latino Conservation Week 2017. Photo by Martin Martinez

On the Trails and in the Redwoods, Celebrating Latino Conservation Week

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As we celebrate Latino Conservation Week, we’re inspired by the more than 100 events held across the country at national and state parks, wildlife refuges, and monuments to encourage everyone to explore the outdoors and learn how to protect our shared public lands.

The George Bush Tree. Photo by Don Barrett, Flickr Creative Commons

150 Years of Saving the Giant Sequoia

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The effort to save the giant sequoia groves of California began over 150 years ago. We were recently reminded that job is never done. In April, President Donald Trump issued an executive order calling for the review of all national monument designations occurring after January 1, 1996, where the monument exceeds 100,000 acres. Shortly after, the Department of the Interior confirmed that Giant Sequoia National Monument is on that list along with 26 others.