The ESA is under threat. A new federal proposal could remove habitat protection from the definition of “harm”—putting wildlife at risk. Comment by 5/19 to protect our forests and the species within.
Mark your calendars and start making plans to join California State Parks and partners in celebrating the fourth annual California State Parks Week from June 11-15. Presented by California State Parks, California State Parks Foundation, Parks California and Save the Redwoods League, this exciting weeklong celebration with the tagline “This is Where You Live” offers more than 170 events, including both in-person and virtual experiences, highlighting the people, places and programs that make California’s 280 state parks truly unique.
Save the Redwoods League supports the bipartisan Save Our Sequoias (SOS) Act, important legislation that empowers federal, Tribal, state and nonprofit partners to accelerate forest restoration, reduce hazardous fuels and safeguard the world’s largest trees from the increasingly destructive wildfires in California’s Sierra Nevada.
Forests need site-specific, science-based stewardship, not broad emergency declarations. As a conservation organization focused on restoring complex forest ecosystems in the coast redwood and giant sequoia ranges, Save the Redwoods League agrees with the USDA that the nation faces a serious crisis of forest health and wildfire risk—one that the USDA Forest Service is well positioned to address. However, the USDA Secretary’s April memo problematically blurs the line between ecological restoration, which aims to heal ecosystems, and timber harvest for commercial gain, which prioritizes extraction and profit over long-term forest health.
A new report, Assessing the Restoration Economy within Redwood National and State Parks, highlights the economic opportunities created by large-scale restoration efforts in Humboldt and Del Norte counties. As the region moves beyond its history of industrial-scale logging, programs like Redwoods Rising and ‘O Rew Redwoods Gateway are driving economic growth through environmental restoration. Led by Save the Redwoods League and California State Parks, these initiatives are bringing revenue, quality jobs, and lasting conservation benefits to Northern California’s redwood country—helping to revitalize an economically disadvantaged area while restoring one of the world’s most iconic ecosystems.
Save the Redwoods League announced today that its board has selected veteran national park and public lands conservation leader Steve Mietz as the new president and CEO of the century-old nonprofit. Mietz will join the League on April 28 and carry forward the organization’s mission to protect, restore and connect people to the iconic coast redwood and giant sequoia forests of California. Most recently, Mietz served as superintendent of Redwood National and State Parks (RNSP) for nearly eight years.
Save the Redwoods League has secured an opportunity to conserve the 1,517-acre Monte Rio Redwoods Expansion property in Sonoma County. Less than two hours north of San Francisco, the Monte Rio Redwoods Expansion will link more than 22,000 acres of coastal redwoods forest, wildlife corridors and watershed, from the Bohemian Highway to the Sonoma Coast and north to Jenner Headlands.
After 11 years leading one of the nation’s oldest and most beloved conservation organizations, Sam Hodder announced today that he has decided to step down as president and CEO of Save the Redwoods League on March 31, 2025, at the close of the organization’s current fiscal year. A search for the League’s next leader will commence immediately, led by Vice Chair of the League’s Board of Directors Rosemary Cameron.
SANTA CRUZ — California State Parks and Save the Redwoods League today released a new Forest Management Strategy (FMS) aimed at restoring and protecting three state parks in Santa Cruz County following the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire. The devastating wildfire burned through more than 24,000 acres in Big Basin Redwoods, Año Nuevo and Butano state parks. The FMS outlines critical actions needed to help the forests recover and to improve wildfire and climate resilience in the parks and neighboring communities.
Save the Redwoods League today announced that it has purchased three coast redwood properties totaling 750 acres in Sonoma and Mendocino counties that will one day be added to Armstrong Redwoods and Montgomery Woods state natural reserves (SNR). The League acquired the properties from private landowners, the Ayers and Robinson families and the Mendocino Redwood Company for nearly $3.5 million. The acquisitions are the first steps toward long-term protection for these coast redwood properties.
Save the Redwoods League (League) has secured an opportunity to purchase, permanently protect and restore the 1,624-acre Sonoma Coast Redwoods property, home to significant mature second-growth coast redwood forest, biodiverse coastal prairies, ocean views and opportunities for future public access.
Californians will vote on a $10 billion climate bond to invest in safe drinking water, wildfire resilience, and clean air. Climate action is up to all of us this November.
Save the Redwoods League today announced the hiring of two new staff in key positions: Kirsten Saenz Tobey as chief operations officer and Carrie Speckart as director of people and culture.
The addition of the 80-acre Rocky Ridge parcel brings old-growth redwoods, the Montgomery Creek headwaters, peregrine falcon habitat, and 360-degree views to Montgomery Woods State Natural Reserve in Mendocino. This marks the first transfer of League-conserved land to California State Parks in over a decade.
A landmark memorandum of understanding has been signed in a historic first step toward returning tribal land back to its original steward, the Yurok Tribe.
Press Release
Save the Redwoods League Urges Support for the Endangered Species Act—Comment by May 19
by Save the Redwoods League onThe ESA is under threat. A new federal proposal could remove habitat protection from the definition of “harm”—putting wildlife at risk. Comment by 5/19 to protect our forests and the species within.
“This is Where You Live” – Celebrate Fourth Annual California State Parks Week June 11-15
by Save the Redwoods League onMark your calendars and start making plans to join California State Parks and partners in celebrating the fourth annual California State Parks Week from June 11-15. Presented by California State Parks, California State Parks Foundation, Parks California and Save the Redwoods League, this exciting weeklong celebration with the tagline “This is Where You Live” offers more than 170 events, including both in-person and virtual experiences, highlighting the people, places and programs that make California’s 280 state parks truly unique.
Save the Redwoods League Applauds Reintroduction of Save Our Sequoias Act
by Save the Redwoods League onSave the Redwoods League supports the bipartisan Save Our Sequoias (SOS) Act, important legislation that empowers federal, Tribal, state and nonprofit partners to accelerate forest restoration, reduce hazardous fuels and safeguard the world’s largest trees from the increasingly destructive wildfires in California’s Sierra Nevada.
Save the Redwoods League Statement on Federal Directives to Increase Timber Production
by Save the Redwoods League onForests need site-specific, science-based stewardship, not broad emergency declarations. As a conservation organization focused on restoring complex forest ecosystems in the coast redwood and giant sequoia ranges, Save the Redwoods League agrees with the USDA that the nation faces a serious crisis of forest health and wildfire risk—one that the USDA Forest Service is well positioned to address. However, the USDA Secretary’s April memo problematically blurs the line between ecological restoration, which aims to heal ecosystems, and timber harvest for commercial gain, which prioritizes extraction and profit over long-term forest health.
New Report Shows Significant Socioeconomic Benefits of Large-scale Restoration Projects in Redwood National and State Parks Region
by Save the Redwoods League onA new report, Assessing the Restoration Economy within Redwood National and State Parks, highlights the economic opportunities created by large-scale restoration efforts in Humboldt and Del Norte counties. As the region moves beyond its history of industrial-scale logging, programs like Redwoods Rising and ‘O Rew Redwoods Gateway are driving economic growth through environmental restoration. Led by Save the Redwoods League and California State Parks, these initiatives are bringing revenue, quality jobs, and lasting conservation benefits to Northern California’s redwood country—helping to revitalize an economically disadvantaged area while restoring one of the world’s most iconic ecosystems.
Save the Redwoods League Names Steve Mietz as Next President and CEO of Save the Redwoods League
by Save the Redwoods League onSave the Redwoods League announced today that its board has selected veteran national park and public lands conservation leader Steve Mietz as the new president and CEO of the century-old nonprofit. Mietz will join the League on April 28 and carry forward the organization’s mission to protect, restore and connect people to the iconic coast redwood and giant sequoia forests of California. Most recently, Mietz served as superintendent of Redwood National and State Parks (RNSP) for nearly eight years.
Save the Redwoods League Enters Agreement to Purchase 1,500+ Acres of Redwood Forest That Will Expand Adjacent Regional Park Near Russian River in Sonoma County
by Save the Redwoods League onSave the Redwoods League has secured an opportunity to conserve the 1,517-acre Monte Rio Redwoods Expansion property in Sonoma County. Less than two hours north of San Francisco, the Monte Rio Redwoods Expansion will link more than 22,000 acres of coastal redwoods forest, wildlife corridors and watershed, from the Bohemian Highway to the Sonoma Coast and north to Jenner Headlands.
Sam Hodder, President and CEO of Save the Redwoods League, Announces Plans to Step Down After More than a Decade Leading 107-year-old Conservation Organization
by Save the Redwoods League onAfter 11 years leading one of the nation’s oldest and most beloved conservation organizations, Sam Hodder announced today that he has decided to step down as president and CEO of Save the Redwoods League on March 31, 2025, at the close of the organization’s current fiscal year. A search for the League’s next leader will commence immediately, led by Vice Chair of the League’s Board of Directors Rosemary Cameron.
California State Parks and Save The Redwoods League Unveil New Plan to Safeguard Iconic Redwood Parks in Santa Cruz County
by Save the Redwoods League onSANTA CRUZ — California State Parks and Save the Redwoods League today released a new Forest Management Strategy (FMS) aimed at restoring and protecting three state parks in Santa Cruz County following the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire. The devastating wildfire burned through more than 24,000 acres in Big Basin Redwoods, Año Nuevo and Butano state parks. The FMS outlines critical actions needed to help the forests recover and to improve wildfire and climate resilience in the parks and neighboring communities.
Save the Redwoods League Acquires 750 Acres of Redwood Forest in Sonoma and Mendocino Counties for Future Parks Expansions
by Save the Redwoods League onSave the Redwoods League today announced that it has purchased three coast redwood properties totaling 750 acres in Sonoma and Mendocino counties that will one day be added to Armstrong Redwoods and Montgomery Woods state natural reserves (SNR). The League acquired the properties from private landowners, the Ayers and Robinson families and the Mendocino Redwood Company for nearly $3.5 million. The acquisitions are the first steps toward long-term protection for these coast redwood properties.
Save the Redwoods League Secures Opportunity to Protect and Restore 1,600+ Acres of Redwood Forest and Coastal Prairies from Threat of Development along Sonoma Coast
by Save the Redwoods League onSave the Redwoods League (League) has secured an opportunity to purchase, permanently protect and restore the 1,624-acre Sonoma Coast Redwoods property, home to significant mature second-growth coast redwood forest, biodiverse coastal prairies, ocean views and opportunities for future public access.
New Scientific Studies Reveal Drastically Low Numbers of Giant Sequoia Seedlings in Some Areas Burned by Mega-Fires
by Save the Redwoods League onTwo publications discuss the substantial risk of losing portions of sequoia groves due to high tree mortality rates and inadequate natural recovery
Climate change action is on the ballot this November
by Sam Hodder onCalifornians will vote on a $10 billion climate bond to invest in safe drinking water, wildfire resilience, and clean air. Climate action is up to all of us this November.
Save the Redwoods League Urges California Legislature and Governor Newsom To Put Climate Bond On The Ballot
by Sam Hodder onWe call on Governor Newsom and the CA Legislature to do the right thing for all Californians: place a climate bond measure on the ballot!
Save the Redwoods League Announces Fourth Season of Podcast “I’ll Go If You Go”
by Save the Redwoods League onExpanded season showcases emerging environmental leaders from diverse backgrounds and their careers among California’s redwood and sequoia forests
Save the Redwoods League Names Two New Leaders
by Save the Redwoods League onSave the Redwoods League today announced the hiring of two new staff in key positions: Kirsten Saenz Tobey as chief operations officer and Carrie Speckart as director of people and culture.
Save the Redwoods League and California State Parks Expand Montgomery Woods State Natural Reserve
by Save the Redwoods League onThe addition of the 80-acre Rocky Ridge parcel brings old-growth redwoods, the Montgomery Creek headwaters, peregrine falcon habitat, and 360-degree views to Montgomery Woods State Natural Reserve in Mendocino. This marks the first transfer of League-conserved land to California State Parks in over a decade.
Celebrate the Third Annual California State Parks Week: June 12-16, 2024
by Save the Redwoods League onWith more than 200 special community events at parks across the state, the public is invited to celebrate the third annual California State Parks Week
Save the Redwoods League, the Yurok Tribe, and Park Partners Sign Historic Agreement to Return Tribal Land
by Save the Redwoods League onA landmark memorandum of understanding has been signed in a historic first step toward returning tribal land back to its original steward, the Yurok Tribe.
Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition Update: Year Two Brings Significant Progress in Push to Protect Giant Sequoias Threatened by Unprecedented Wildfire Risk
by Save the Redwoods League onIn just two years, coalition members have completed treatments in half of the giant sequoia acreage and planted more than 542,000 native trees