Grants expand access and foster redwood connections

Announcing our 2026 Redwood Connect grantees

Maybe it began with that first exhilarating shock of splashing through an ice-cold forest creek. Perhaps it was the first time drifting to sleep soothed by redwood boughs creaking in the breeze. Or that first moment of quiet awe stepping into a giant sequoia grove and feeling its immense stillness. Somewhere in these early encounters, something stirs. A spark of curiosity about the natural world that takes hold and never lets go. A curiosity that can alter the course of our lives. 

That’s why Save the Redwoods League is thrilled to announce the recipients of this year’s Redwood Connect Grants. The 23 grantees span communities across California, each helping thousands of young people step into coast redwood and giant sequoia forests with a sense of wonder. In a time when schools and nonprofit organizations face increasing funding headwinds, these grants can be especially meaningful, helping more young people experience transformative moments in the redwoods.  

The programs open the door to experiences like group camping, riding horseback along fern‑lined trails, lessons in forest ecology and Indigenous stewardship, and even backpacking through the grandeur of giant sequoia groves. Every outing is designed to cultivate lasting connections to the redwoods and the wider natural world. Among these students are the next generation of scientists and foresters, conservationists and teachers. If the redwood range is to thrive well into the future, it needs as many caring stewards as possible. 

Last year, sixth‑grade students from McDowell Elementary School in Petaluma spent a week immersed in the redwoods at science camp, thanks in part to Save the Redwoods funding. They paddled canoes, swam, took archery lessons, and hiked beneath towering trees; one hike even ended with a polar bear plunge into a freezing creek, with friends shouting encouragement. They also took solo hikes and learned to be alone in nature, listening to the forest’s sounds and making observations as they walked, building a sense of independence.  

For the Santa Lucia Conservancy, receiving the Redwood Connect Grant last year meant bringing more than 1,400 youth from the Monterey area to the redwoods on a no‑cost field trip. The watershed‑based education program connects students with nature while promoting ecological literacy and environmental stewardship. Students also strengthen their social‑emotional learning through projects that integrate science, natural history, nature journaling, and art. One participating teacher shared that their students consistently call it their favorite field trip of the year, and they especially cherished the chance to walk among the redwoods. 

Both McDowell Elementary and the Santa Lucia Conservancy return as 2026 Redwood Connect grantees, continuing to build redwood connections that last a lifetime. 

See the full list of grantees below and learn how they support health, wellness, ecology, conservation, stewardship, team building, and more.