Alder Creek is the Last, Largest Privately Owned Giant Sequoia Property in The World
-September 26,2019-
Save the Redwoods League announced this month its opportunity to purchase Alder Creek, the largest remaining privately owned giant sequoia property in the world. The 530-acre Alder Creek 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. Alder Creek on the Tule River drainage near Springville is surrounded by Giant Sequoia National Monument.
“Alder Creek is the most consequential giant sequoia conservation project of our lifetime. It’s the largest remaining giant sequoia property in private ownership, and a globally unique and extraordinarily beautiful landscape,” said Sam Hodder, president and CEO of Save the Redwoods League. “To fully protect this remarkable grove forever, we will need the public’s help in raising the required funds by December 31, 2019. I am pleased to announce that we have a challenge grant in place to help us achieve that goal.”
Hodder added, “Giant sequoia — the world’s most massive trees — inspired the national conservation movement more than 150 years ago beginning with the protection of Mariposa Grove in Yosemite National Park. Today, Save the Redwoods League has the opportunity to continue this conservation legacy by permanently protecting Alder Creek and its hundreds of giant sequoia trees.”
The last giant sequoia on Earth are located on and around the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada in approximately 73 isolated and scattered groves.
New public access
Alder Creek has limited public access now but with the potential acquisition by Save the Redwoods League there is a unique opportunity to provide new public access to a truly extraordinary scenic and recreational resource. Following the acquisition of the property, the League intends to work with Giant Sequoia National Monument and the local and regional community to plan and implement long-term public access to the property that both inspires visitors with the beauty and power of nature and ensures the health and resilience of this rare forest ecosystem.
In 2018 the League protected another private Tule grove – Red Hill, a 160-acre property that contains 110 magnificent ancient giant sequoia. This forest was one of the world’s last unprotected giant sequoia properties. Now, thanks to our dedicated donors and partners, Save the Redwoods League has purchased Red Hill to ensure that it is permanently protected and accessible to the public in the near future.
The League raised $4 million for the project, meeting its goal, thanks to a generous challenge issued by an anonymous donor to match all gifts made to Red Hill dollar for dollar. The $4 million goal included the $3.3 million purchase price and an estimated $700,000 for project costs and stewardship activities to enhance forest conditions and climate and fire resilience on the property. Over 3,100 League members from across the country contributed to the effort.
Founded in 1917 during its first hundred years, the League saved more than 200,000 acres of redwood forest and helped establish more than 66 redwood parks and preserves, protecting most of the old-growth redwoods that remain on Earth.