giant sequoia lands coalition

Wildfire fuels management team conducting a prescribed burn in a giant sequoia grove

Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition 2025 Progress Report Shows Accelerating Restoration Efforts

by Save the Redwoods League on

Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition (GSLC) today released its 2025 Progress Report, showcasing significant advances in protecting the world’s remaining giant sequoia groves from shifting climates, catastrophic wildfire and emerging threats such as bark beetles. GSLC partners have conducted restoration activities in 44 of the world’s 94 sequoia groves since 2022, reducing the risk of extreme wildfires and improving overall forest health.

Smoke and low severity fire burning accumulated fuel in a giant sequoia forest

New Scientific Study Assesses State of Giant Sequoias, Reveals 18% Mortality of Mature Trees Due to Severe Wildfires

by Save the Redwoods League on

A new scientific study from the Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition (GSLC) reveals the current state of California’s giant sequoia range and quantifies the alarming extent of damage caused by extreme wildfires over the last decade. More than 17% of all mature giant sequoias have been killed by wildfire since 2015, while less than 1% perished in the 30 prior years. Most of the losses since 2015 occurred during the megafires of 2020 and 2021.

Giant sequoia seedling

Can the giant sequoias recover on their own?

by Juliet Grable on

Two new comprehensive research studies published by the USGS Western Ecological Research Center discuss the drastically low number of seedlings found in sequoia groves in the wake of recent mega-fires. Their findings: inadequate natural seedling recovery and high tree mortality rates create a substantial risk of losing portions of sequoia groves.

Two climbers wearing hard hats shimmy up ropes along the trunk of a massive giant sequoia

First climb of General Sherman Tree reveals health status

by Kristina Malsberger on

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.

Two female restoration workers in neon-green vests smile in front of a partially burned sequia forest

So long, Long Meadow, we’re packed for Packsaddle!

by Kristina Malsberger on

As winter approaches, Save the Redwoods League staff are raising mugs of hot cocoa to toast a wildly productive work season in the giant sequoia range. The big win: Completing risk-reduction and wildfire resilience work in Long Meadow Grove, which …

Redwood tree rises through the canopy

Top 15 League achievements of 2023

by Save the Redwoods League on

As we approach the end of 2023, we find ourselves contemplating yet another remarkable year at Save the Redwoods League. Our gratitude extends to our wonderful partners, members, and supporters who make possible the essential efforts of safeguarding and restoring …

3 uniformed rangers of the US Forest Service and one man in checkered shirt and jeans notetaking in a Giant Sequoia forest

Emergency restoration resumes in a famed giant sequoia grove

by Save the Redwoods League on

Save the Redwoods League this month resumed emergency restoration work for 2023 on a beloved giant sequoia grove to reduce fuels and the risk of severe climate-driven wildfires. In partnership with the USDA Forest Service, the League is restoring the …

people walking through giant sequoia forest

Save the Redwoods League and USDA Forest Service sign stewardship agreement to accelerate giant sequoia emergency action

by Save the Redwoods League on

Save the Redwoods League and the USDA Forest Service have signed a partnership agreement to accelerate stewardship activities in the threatened giant sequoia range. Under this stewardship agreement, the League will lead restoration efforts to reduce the wildfire risk in two giant sequoia groves in partnership with the Forest Service. One of the groves is among the 12 cited in the Forest Service “emergency action” announced in July 2022.