Following a successful four-month fundraising that drew support from around the globe, Save the Redwoods League in December 2019 announced its purchase of Alder Creek, the largest remaining privately owned giant sequoia forest in the world. The spectacular 530-acre property contains hundreds of ancient giant sequoia, 483 of which have a diameter of six feet or larger, including the Stagg Tree, the fifth-largest tree known in the world. The League received more than 8,500 contributions from individuals and foundations from across the United States and 30 other countries worldwide.
“Giant sequoia are among the largest and among the oldest living things and grow nowhere else in the world outside of the western slopes of California’s Sierra Nevada. With the purchase of Alder Creek, we have protected the best of what’s left,” said Sam Hodder, president and CEO of Save the Redwoods League. “We are amazed by and grateful for the generosity of people from all over the world who stepped up to help save this special forest. At a moment when good news is hard to find, we are thrilled to begin the new year celebrating the generosity and sense of stewardship reflected in this successful effort.”
Along with the giant sequoia, Alder Creek contains abundant stands of old-growth red fir, white fir, ponderosa pine, and sugar pine. There are meadows, wetlands, and healthy riparian corridors. The landscape contains pristine habitat that may support several imperiled species known to be in the area, including Pacific fisher, American marten, and California spotted owl, along with numerous other charismatic species, including black bear and mountain lion.
Alder Creek is one of the flagship projects of Forever Forest: The Campaign for the Redwoods, a comprehensive campaign launched by Save the Redwoods League in January 2020 to garner support for the organization’s ambitious vision for the next century of redwoods conservation. The League’s goal is to raise $120 million by 2022 to fund the first years of this centennial vision, which includes protecting entire landscapes through large-scale, strategic land acquisitions; restoring young redwood forests to become the old-growth forests of the future; and connecting all people with the beauty and power of the redwoods through transformational park experiences.
Explore this section and learn more about this rare conservation treasure.
IN THE NEWS
Breathe Easy: The World’s Fifth-Largest Tree And Its Grove Are Going To Be Protected
Forbes – October 2019
Once they’re gone, they’re gone’: the fight to save the giant sequoia
The Guardian – October 2019
Piden ayuda para salvar el bosque de secuoyas gigantes privado más grande del mundo
El Mundo – October 2019
Biggest private sequoia grove to be preserved in deal with Redwoods League
San Francisco Chronicle – September 2019
World’s largest privately owned giant sequoia forest sold for $15 million
The Mercury News – September 2019
Conservation group to buy Alder Creek giant sequoia grove and world’s fifth-largest tree
Los Angeles Times – September 2019
Largest giant sequoia property to be preserved in $15.6M deal with California conservation group
KTVU.com – September 2019
Conservation Group Buys Huge Sequoia Grove
KCBS Radio – September 2019
For Sale: America’s Largest Private Grove of Giant Sequoias
Atlas Obscura – September 2019
World’s Largest Private Sequoia Grove Set to Become Public Land
AFAR – September 2019
The world’s largest privately owned giant sequoia forest may soon be protected
Mother Nature Network – September 2019
A California conservation group wants to buy world’s largest remaining private giant sequoia forest for $15 million
CNN – September 2019
Save The Redwoods Seeks To Buy Private Giant Sequoia Forest For $15M
CBS San Francisco – September 2019
Save the Redwoods League buys world’s largest privately owned giant sequoia forest for $15 million
The Press Democrat – September 2019
World’s Largest Privately-Owned Giant Sequoia Grove Is for Sale
Smithsonian Online – September 2019
Conservation group to buy world’s largest privately held sequoia forest for $15M
Nation of Change – September 2019
The largest privately owned sequoia grove in the world is for sale
Matador Network – September 2019
This Group Wants to Buy the Largest Private Giant Sequoia Grove. You Can Help.
Inside Hook – September 2019
La plus grande forêt privée de séquoias géants bientôt protégée en Californie ?
Geo (International) – September 2019
PRESS RELEASES
09-17-19: Save the Redwoods League to Protect “Crown Jewel” of the Remaining Giant Sequoia Forests
For media inquiries, contact Robin Carr at (415) 971-3991 or redwoods@landispr.com.
Ways to get involved
Donate TodayConsider a gift to support Alder Creek project
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In recognition of gifts of $25,000 or more, Save the Redwoods League is pleased to designate a giant sequoia tree at Alder Creek in your name or that of a loved one. For more information, please contact Georgia Young, Director of Major Gifts, at GYoung@SaveTheRedwoods.org or (415)820-5849.
Tags: Alder Creek, current, giant sequoia, Giant Sequoia National Monument, Land Project, Stagg Tree