Exceeding goals for wildfire resilience<\/h3>\n
As shown in the coalition\u2019s 2023 Progress Report for Saving the Sequoias<\/i><\/a>, the organization exceeded its goals in 2023, its second year of large-scale collaboration. Together, coalition organizations treated nearly 9,900 acres in 28 giant sequoia groves\u2014more than twice the acreage treated in 2022. This restoration work brings the total giant sequoia grove acres treated since the extreme 2020-21 wildfires to 14,143 out of 26,000. The restoration accomplishments increase the wildfire resilience of the groves by reducing the amount of hazardous and combustible plant materials (fuels) through manual and mechanical methods, prescribed fires, and cultural burning practices.<\/p>\n Since 2022, the coalition also planted over 294,000 native tree seedlings in severely burned areas, bringing the total to over 542,000. Save the Redwoods League and partners contributed to this effort by planting more than 50,000 native conifer trees<\/a> in areas of Alder Creek Grove where the 2020 Castle Fire burned so intensely that the area\u2019s natural seed source was lost.<\/p>\n \u201cOur work to ensure a wildfire-resilient future for giant sequoias lives at the scientific intersection of forest ecology, wildfire, and climate studies,\u201d says Joanna Nelson, Ph.D., League director of science and conservation planning and co-lead of the coalition\u2019s science committee. \u201cWe are simultaneously applying the latest evidence-based techniques and advancing the field\u2019s understanding through research. As we coordinate research and adaptive management across the coalition, we boost our ability to steward giant sequoias. This is a long-term challenge with long-term solutions, and we are starting the long-term with timely action, now.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Other coalition accomplishments include initiating and hosting research studies by academic, government, and nonprofit organizations, reviving cultural practices, and expanding co-stewardship agreements with tribes and nonprofits.<\/p>\n As a a special affiliate member of the Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition, Save the Redwoods League made significant progress in 2023 to protect and steward giant sequoias and their ecosystems. The League owns and manages its Alder Creek property, a portion of Alder Creek Grove in Giant Sequoia National Monument. Save the Redwoods also partners with Sequoia National Forest on fuels reduction, forest health, and post-fire restoration treatments in the national monument through an agreement that covers four groves to be treated over five years: Alder Creek, Freeman Creek, Long Meadow<\/a> and Packsaddle.<\/p>\n In 2023, the League focused on Alder Creek and Long Meadow groves. Like much of the giant sequoia range, both groves were affected by recent wildfires, and portions of both groves burned at high severity. With coalition partners, the League treated 267 acres in and around giant sequoia groves on its Alder Creek property. This work included the final phase of a three-year post-fire restoration and reforestation project on 220 acres of the Alder Creek property. The League completed initial fuels-reduction work on 47 acres of a 275-acre project footprint. In addition, Nelson is leading conservation-genetics research on conditions affecting planted seedlings.<\/p>\n In and around Long Meadow Grove, the League partnered with Sequoia National Forest to complete 520 acres of fuels reduction, forest health, and post-fire restoration work. The goal of the project was to protect remaining ancient giant sequoia trees from future high-severity wildfires and to prepare the groves for a warmer, drier climate and the reintroduction of prescribed burning.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile we benefited from a relatively quiet fire season in 2023, what happens this year is impossible to predict, so we must prepare for the worst,\u201d Nelson says. \u201cWe urge elected officials and policymakers to continue to provide funding and personnel, enact policy changes and help us reduce fuels now so we can continue to address the problem at scale.\u201d<\/p>\n Learn more in the Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition 2023 Progress Report for Saving the Sequoias<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n This feature appears in the beautiful printed edition of Redwoods<\/em> 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.<\/p>\n Join our thousands of members today<\/a><\/strong> for only $25, and you\u2019ll get future editions of our Redwoods<\/em> magazine.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"Tidy](\"https:\/\/www.savetheredwoods.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/Long_Meadow_piles_BenBlom-1140x855.jpg\")
League efforts contribute to coalition’s headway<\/h3>\n