Lisa Weger has a deep connection to Weger Ranch, a 3,862-acre redwood property in the sprawling hills of Mendocino County. This stunning landscape—and a strong commitment to its conservation—is Lisa’s family legacy. By setting a high bar for sustainable forestry in the region, Lisa and Craig hope to inspire other private landowners to consider—and fund—conservation solutions.
Redwoods seem practically tailormade for tattoo art. They are iconic symbols of strength and resilience. Their bold trunks, feathery needles, and cross-hatched cones translate beautifully into ink. They’re also an ideal choice for a visual statement that’s—in theory—permanent. With lifespans …
On a blustery morning last March, fog hung over the redwood covered hills surrounding ‘O Rew, a culturally significant place to the Yurok people. A mountain of ripped-up asphalt provided a stark reminder that this property just outside Orick, California, …
When I first moved to Los Angeles from my small town, I imagined a towering cityscape more than I ever imagined towering trees. And yet, it was only after moving to this city of sprawling concrete, that I found myself staring up at the tallest species of trees in the world not even a 15-minute drive from my apartment.
By eliminating the largest barrier between underrepresented communities and redwoods parks—lack of transportation—Redwood Rides not only expands outdoor access, but also inspires the next generation to care about the ancient forests.
The iconic giant sequoia, which stands in California’s Sequoia National Park, is the largest living tree on the planet and has withstood two millennia of storms, drought, and wildfires. But it has never had a proper check-up.
On May 21, researchers with the Ancient Forest Society used climbing ropes to ascend to General Sherman’s upper crown in the first-ever climb of the 275-foot-tall giant sequoia. Their mission: to visually inspect the ancient tree for signs of infestation by sequoia bark beetles—an emerging threat that has already killed as many as 40 mature giant sequoias since 2015.
Spectacular. Breathtaking. Transcendent. These are the phrases people often utter while exploring an ancient grove of giant sequoias or a lush swath of second-growth coast redwoods. It’s the rare visitor who gazes at the sun-dappled splendor of a redwood forest …
They say good things come to those who wait. Case in point: Rocky Ridge, the first League-conserved property to be added to California State Parks in well over a decade. Last month, the state park system formally accepted ownership of …
Our time among the redwoods and giant sequoias showed me just how much nature can do for people on the autism spectrum like my son. Even though the preparation and the journey itself can present many difficulties, the rewards of traveling make it all worth it. Let’s strive for inclusion in parks, celebrating diversity and fostering belonging for all, ensuring future generations can experience our national parks’ beauty firsthand.
Since 2015, about 20% of the world’s mature giant sequoias have been lost to wildfires in the Sierra Nevada. The escalating severity of these fires threatens the very existence of these iconic giants.
We were living a perfect week: September in Sausalito. My friends and I traveled from Chicago in 2008 to participate as guest artists in the Sausalito Art Festival for the first time. We finished setting up on Wednesday evening. Over …
Camping among Yosemite’s giant sequoias reveals wonders off the beaten path. Camping in Yosemite in wintertime when everything is wrapped in a blanket of snow can be especially magical.
It’s a spectacular drive heading south from San Francisco on Highway 1, where under an azure sky, the furrowed Santa Cruz Mountains meet the sparkling, blue arc of the Pacific and its craggy sea stacks. In about 60 miles, the …
Interesting fact about coast redwood forests: Researchers studying the tall trees near streams can detect marine nutrients in the wood—nitrogen isotopes that salmon have brought back to the freshwater environment. In other words, there’s a little bit of salmon in …
This rugged swath of Northern California is famous for spectacular stands of coast redwoods that hypnotize visitors with their pinch-me-I’m-dreaming beauty. These remaining old-growth giants give the groves in neighboring Humboldt County a run for their money, plus they’re a more doable three-hour drive from the San Francisco Bay Area. Add in nearby beachcombing, wine tasting, and sightseeing in coastal hamlets, and you’ve got a recipe for an incredible weekend getaway.
In a sense, I was a latecomer to the world of the redwoods and the world of being queer. In both of these worlds, I connected with my true self.
Tom Little Bear Nason, chairman of Big Sur’s Esselen Tribe of Monterey County, describes his tribe’s long-standing relationship with redwoods. He’s working with the area’s non-native communities to integrate cultural burn strategies into land management practices that will protect the forest from catastrophic wildfires. The deep-seated respect for ancient redwoods has inspired Little Bear and his apprentices to share their traditional ecological knowledge of fire mimicry with the Big Sur community.
Securing a bright future for one of Sonoma County’s tallest redwoods—and its up-and-coming kin—at Russian River Redwoods
I hope this issue of Redwoods gives you that “walk in the redwoods” excitement. That our suggestions for redwoods adventures in Mendocino stir your wanderlust. That learning how the League is transforming a former sawmill site into a stunning new gateway to Redwood State and National Parks inspires you with the restorability of even our most impacted landscapes. That you feel hope and gratitude, reading about the generosity of the Esselen Tribe in sharing their traditional ecological wisdom. That you nod in understanding as our Community Voices writer describes how life-saving time in nature can be.
“I had no idea the redwoods are the best harvesters of carbon dioxide of any forest type in the world.” Whatever it takes to revive the redwoods, Wombwell is in. “If you need me to plant trees,” he says with a grin, “I’ll put on my Wellie boots.” Wombwell’s advice? “If you care about the forests, the climate, Indigenous peoples, wildlife, even the hiking and biking trails, take that step and donate.” To inspire new members of Save the Redwoods League’s Canopy Club, the Wombwell family will match new gifts of $10,000 or more up to $750,000.
