Annual celebration prompts outpouring of appreciation for the redwoods
GivingTuesday is a global event dedicated to giving back that offers a much-needed counterpoint to the consumer-driven frenzy of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Here at the League, we’ve reimagined this day as Giving TREESday—a celebration of generosity and gratitude for our redwood forests.
As part of this year’s Giving TREESday campaign, which supported the Sonoma Coast Redwoods project, we reached out to our redwood-loving community and asked you to fill in the blank: “The redwoods are a place to _______.”
The heartfelt answers you shared filled us with hope, camaraderie, and a renewed sense of purpose, reminding us that the work we do to protect the redwood forests is vital and deeply meaningful.
A common theme we noticed was how the redwoods provide peace, tranquility, and a deep sense of relaxation. One person beautifully described the forest as a place to “luxuriate in the fragrance of peace.” Another shared that the redwoods offer a space to “enjoy peace, tranquility, and genuine awe.”
Many spoke of the wonder, belonging, and connection they felt while surrounded by these ancient trees:
“The redwoods are a place to connect with a living being that was here before me and will remain after I am gone.”
“The redwoods are a place to enjoy the breathtaking presence of these incredible giants which have survived despite many challenges. Their beauty & strength both inspire us & calm us in these troubled times.”
“The redwoods are a place to remind myself how small I am in the scheme of things.”
“The redwoods are a place to feel closer to my parents in heaven.”
“The redwoods are a place to realize what a treasure of a planet we are on and want to save and renew as much of its nature as possible.”
The gratitude and reverence we all share for our redwood forests were powerfully evident in the words and emotions that hundreds of you expressed. Thank you for your engagement and participation.
The spirit of giving was also alive and strong on Giving TREESday. With 947 members joining together, we exceeded our fundraising goal and raised $101,539 for our iconic Sonoma Coast Redwoods project. Thanks to the generosity of both Matthias Blume and the Schuman Family Foundation, these gifts were matched twice—tripling the impact of your support.
Together, we are creating a brighter future for our redwoods and our communities. Thank you for making Giving TREESday a true celebration of nature, gratitude, and the power of a forest-loving community.
