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.
Giant sequoias are some of the world's largest trees.

Executive Order Threatens National Monuments

by Sam Hodder on

With the Trump administration passing its first 100-day mark, there came a whirlwind of commentary about how those first 100 days stacked up. Given that the 100-day measure coincided with Earth Day, the March for Science, Arbor Day, and the Climate March, much of the attention focused on the new administration’s stance on the environment. Last week, at the confluence of these events, the administration released an executive order, revealing a great deal about its perspective on the purpose and value of our public lands.

In 1926, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. discusses redwoods conservation with Save the Redwoods League leader Newton Drury. David Rockefeller is pictured on the front, right side.

Generations of Generosity: Remembering David Rockefeller

by Sam Hodder on

There is one element of David Rockefeller’s story that you will likely only read here: that he was there, standing among the redwoods with early Save the Redwoods League leaders when their conservation story began nearly 100 years ago.

: 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

President’s Budget Threatens Land and Water

by Sam Hodder on

President Trump released his first budget blueprint, offering a glimpse into the Administration’s priorities. Sadly, if enacted by Congress, LWCF and many of the federal agencies that we work with face dramatic cuts, jeopardizing millions of jobs associated with our public lands and undermining protections that would otherwise support a safe and healthy future for Americans.

Sam Hodder, Save the Redwoods League President and CEO, stands by a magnificent old redwood in the 175-acre old-growth Restoration Reserve. The Reserve will safeguard the old trees and allow younger trees to grow larger. Photo by Mike Kahn

Protecting a Forest, Restoring a Way of Life

by Sam Hodder on

The spectacular Sonoma Coast and the mighty redwood forests are iconic elements of California’s identity. And forever intertwined with these inspiring landscapes is the cultural richness of the Native American tribes that have lived for thousands of years along the coastal bluffs and forested waterways. Save the Redwoods League and its partners are celebrating one special place along the coastline where these uniquely Californian assets come together in one successful conservation achievement, the protection of Stewarts Point.

Want Redwoods on Your License Plate?

by Sam Hodder on

With your help, our state tree – none other than California’s redwoods – could be featured on license plates statewide! What’s more, the proceeds from license plate sales and annual renewals will support the conservation and restoration of California’s state parks. However, we need you to help make the redwood license plate a reality.

The Obama family at Yosemite National Park, Father's Day 2016. From left are Sasha, Barack, Michelle, and Malia. White House photo.

President Obama’s Conservation Legacy

by Sam Hodder on

From protecting more land and water than any other president, to motivating our nation to act on climate, to opening every national park to kids and their families for free, President Obama earned a place in history as an accomplished conservation champion.

Thank you for Spending Green Friday Outdoors with Us

by Sam Hodder on

Last month, Save the Redwoods League kicked off the holiday season – and a new Thanksgiving tradition – with a walk in the park with 35,000 friends. Save the Redwoods League and our Green Friday partners, California State Parks (external …

Many of the most magnificent redwood parks and reserves you and generations of Americans have enjoyed, including Redwood National Park pictured above, have been partially funded by the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Photo by David Baselt, redwoodhikes.com

What the Election Results May Mean for Redwoods

by Sam Hodder on

After a long, divisive presidential campaign, the election is finally over. While we’re all working to move forward and understand the implications of the election results, there is much that we do not know. Our initial assessment is limited to preliminary announcements from the Trump transition team and the rhetoric of the campaign trail, rather than firm policy positions of the president-elect. However, we do know that the change in Washington will directly impact the work of Save the Redwoods League and the future of redwood conservation.

Join Us Outdoors on Green Friday

by Sam Hodder on

Back by popular demand and a continued craving to make Black Friday “green,” this new holiday tradition offers everyone the opportunity to experience California’s parks and enjoy the outdoors with friends and family. To celebrate and raise awareness for these incredible outdoor spaces, we’re co-sponsoring free park passes, good for day-use admission to 116 parks throughout the state on Green Friday, November 25th.

A National Monument for the Santa Cruz Coast?

by Sam Hodder on

On the Santa Cruz coast, surrounding the picturesque town of Davenport, is a sweeping expanse of native coastal prairie and redwood forest. This beautiful landscape is special not only for what it is, a local historical and ecological treasure, but for what it could become — our next national monument.

coast redwoods

Soberanes Fire Burns in the Redwood Region

by Sam Hodder on

At the time of writing, the Soberanes Fire has burned over 60,000 acres in Monterey County and is about 45% contained. The fire area covers much of Garrapata State Park, a scenic and rugged redwoods park at the southern end of the coast redwood range. We don’t yet know whether, or to what extent, the park’s redwood groves are suffering damage; and while the primary concern is for the well-being of nearby human communities, it’s interesting to consider the implications of fires like this in the redwood forest.

: 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

Celebrating the NPS Centennial in the Redwoods

by Sam Hodder on

Over the weekend, the League celebrated the centennial anniversary of the National Park Service at our Orick Mill Site property near Redwood National and State Parks. It was a momentous event, and I was honored to speak to the attendees about the significance of the moment. For those who weren’t able to be there, I’ll take the opportunity to share my remarks, and some photos, here.

Photo by Paolo Vescia

New Lost Coast Trail Extension Now Open

by Sam Hodder on

The Lost Coast lends itself to adventure like nowhere else in California. As you explore this stunningly beautiful, remote expanse of coastal bluffs and forests, a true sense of discovery takes hold – it feels wonderfully wild and unchanged. With 100 miles of almost completely roadless beauty, this is the longest stretch of undeveloped coastline left in California. Small wonder that the spectacular trail that winds along the Lost Coast is a top-tier, bucket-list adventure for all who love to get into the wild. And now that trail is even better!

Watch: The Future of Redwoods Conservation and Why You Should Care

by Sam Hodder on

Those of us who have visited, learned about, or seen images of a redwood forest will understand the feeling of caring deeply about what happens to this ancient, unique, inspiring corner of the Earth. Listen to my talk to find out what threatens the redwoods today, how we can ensure that this irreplaceable forest will thrive into the future — and why you should care.

ave of giants

Experience the Redwoods from Afar in ‘Close Encounters’

by Sam Hodder on

Reading the perspective of someone who has never seen a redwood forest, I got to vicariously experience the redwoods for the first time again. I wanted to share “Close Encounters with Coastal Giants” with you, so that you can enjoy it, too.

Stephen Mather, father of the National Parks Service and a founder of Save the Redwoods League. Photo courtesy Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Charting a New Course in Step with the US Department of the Interior

by Sam Hodder on

It’s National Park Week in the National Park System’s 100th anniversary year, so there’s no better time for Sally Jewell, US Secretary of the Interior, to inspire and challenge the nation, calling for a major course correction in the way we conserve America’s public lands, waters and wildlife.

A League of Their Own: The Women Who Started Saving the Redwoods

by Sam Hodder on

On August 8, 1919, Save the Redwoods League founders Madison Grant and Stephen Mather spoke to a packed auditorium in the Northern California mill town of Eureka. They had driven up from San Francisco, where the League had just held its first Board meeting, and they called for local support of the League’s mission to protect the redwoods. To their great surprise, they received a wildly enthusiastic response. Why were hundreds of citizens of Humboldt County, the epicenter of redwood logging operations, so receptive to this message of conservation?

Westfall Ranch’s 77 acres include a stunning second-growth redwood forest.

Westfall Ranch: Enhancing the Ancient Headwaters Forest

by Sam Hodder on

In the scenic redwoods country near Eureka, California, lies Headwaters Forest Reserve. You might remember Headwaters as the subject of a very contentious, very public, decade-long struggle in the 1990s to protect ancient redwoods from continued logging. When you walk among its massive, moss-draped giants, it’s easy to see why so many people fought so hard for their preservation.

Stephen Mather, father of the National Parks Service and a founder of Save the Redwoods League. Photo courtesy Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Stephen Mather’s Inspiring Story and Indelible Legacy

by Sam Hodder on

Within the span of a couple of years, Mather had helped found the National Park Service and Save the Redwoods League: two organizations that would go on to safeguard millions of acres in hundreds of parks. In spite of frequent poor health, Mather helped get both organizations off the ground by devoting huge amounts of his time, energy, and personal funds; even paying rangers’ salaries out of his own pocket.