Dear Save the Redwoods League friends,
These days, signing one’s name can feel like a reflex—that quick scrawl at the coffee counter, or when a package arrives at the door. But on March 19, my full attention was trained on the dotted line before me. I was filled with pride and anticipation, knowing my signature could be part of a historic shift in how we steward our nation’s most treasured lands.
That morning, I stood in a meadow outside Orick, California, alongside three trusted partners: Joseph James of the Yurok Tribe, Victor Bjelajac of California State Parks, and Steve Mietz of the National Park Service. Together, we put pen to paper and signed a historic agreement that envisions a new southern gateway to Redwood National and State Parks—a place where visitors from around the world could explore Indigenous culture and magnificent redwood groves. The agreement outlined the shared vision for ‘O Rew Redwoods Gateway, including the future transfer of the ‘O Rew property from the League to its original stewards, the Yurok Tribe. For the first time ever, nationally significant land would be owned and managed by an Indigenous tribe with co-management support from the National Park Service and California State Parks.
In this edition of Redwoods, we explore the exciting vision for ‘O Rew Redwoods Gateway and how this groundbreaking conservation model could both enhance the way visitors from around the world experience the extraordinary redwood forests of this UNESCO World Heritage site, and light a path forward for similar innovations across the country. We also look at the success of another landmark partnership, the Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition. Acre by acre, across the Sierra Nevada, the League and other sequoia stewards are turning the tide for these embattled giants, preparing the ancient groves for survival in a hotter and drier climate.
These ambitious projects are part of a larger movement to deploy nature-based solutions that will build a healthier, more resilient California in the face of accelerating climate threats. But effective solutions need reliable funding. As I write this, the League and a broad coalition of conservation groups are working to get the multibillion-dollar climate resilience bond on the 2024 ballot, including crucial support for protection and restoration of redwood forests and investment in our parks.
The majority of California voters have expressed strong support for investing in climate solutions to ensure clean air and safe drinking water, reduce wildfire risk, and protect our local communities and wildlife. It is my deepest hope that voters have the opportunity to make this critical choice in November. (*Update: The climate bond is on!)
In the meantime, summer is upon us. May you find yourself with a few deliciously idle days to spend outdoors, soaking up the life-affirming beauty of the redwood forest.
Sam Hodder
President and CEO
Save the Redwoods League
This feature appears in the beautiful printed edition of Redwoods magazine, a showcase of redwoods conservation stories by leading scientists and writers, as well as breathtaking photos, and ways you can help the forest. Only a selection of these stories are available online.
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