Save the Redwoods League Continues Logging the Sequoia Forest California

Last updated: July 16, 2022

Image: Trees owned by Save the Redwoods League marked in red and piled up high.

Save the Redwoods continues its logging operations in the Alder Creek sequoia grove. More roads have been cut. More trees are marked, including sequoias. Sequoia seedlings are being bulldozed. Birds are being killed during their active breeding season. 

Save the Redwoods League is logging the Alder Creek giant sequoia grove, including clearcutting a huge swath. Trucks piled high with trees regularly exit the forest as the logging continues unabated. Save the Redwoods League plans to log two million board feet from the grove.

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Where is this happening?
The clearcutting is ongoing in the southeastern portion and moving north into the grove. There’s more cutting throughout the northwestern portion of SRL land as well. Most people who visit Alder Creek only go to the Stagg Tree which is located in the northeast corner of the grove. Trees are marked for cutting in that general area, but the egregious activity is happening largely out of sight. To see it for yourself, start at the south end (upon entering Sequoia Crest) and head east at an obvious neighborhood clearcut. Here are coordinates:
Largest clearcut: 36.18075, -118.62573
More sequoia seedlings being destroyed: 36.18421, -118.62862

Here’s a quick list of what’s not right about Save the Redwoods activities:

– Logging an ancient sequoia grove repeats the tragedies of the past and shows how little we’ve learned from past mistakes.
– All of the natural sequoia seedlings are being destroyed (along with all other conifers).
– At first only dead trees were being cut, but now both living and dead trees are being cut, including smaller sequoias.
– Logging increases climate change by disturbing the carbon sequestered in these trees.
– Logging directly increases temperature *heat* in a world already too hot by removing the trees that are filtering the hot sun.
– Logging directly increases drought by removing trees that add moisture and shade and causing the soil to dry out because it is fully exposed to the sun. Also, a ton of moisture is held by logs on the ground which have all been removed.
– Increases runoff – trees are no longer there to hold water on steep slopes so it washes away, leaving none for any remaining trees or new growth. Landslides may also occur.
– Increases wind due to the removal of natural windbreaks. Wind drives wildfire. Wind increases the speed of fire and causes severe burns. Remove trees and the fire moves faster and burns more intensely.  No more “low and slow” fires of yesteryear.
– Roads are built and all corners of the forest are bulldozed, stripping and compacting the soil.
– Logging destroys the forest ecosystem which will never return as it once was.
– In areas impacted by fire, the forest will recover on its own, in its own time, despite our hubris.
– Logging destroys all wildlife habitat, including bear, mountain lion, bobcat, coyote, fox, deer, peregrine falcon, goshawk, grouse, and spotted owl habitat (all of these animals are or have been present in Alder Creek).
– Birds are being killed, their nests falling to the ground with baby birds inside, as the trees are cut down during the active breeding season.
– May be replanted using foreign seedlings which will forever alter the genetics of a rare and endangered forest.
– Wastes water in a drought-stricken area to force artificial seedling growth.
– Assumes plantings will survive long-term despite being located in an area that is too hot and too dry.
– Completely distracts people from addressing climate change, which the only thing that will actually help the sequoias and all of our forests.

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About the Author:
Sue Cag is a musician, artist, writer, photographer, and conservationist.

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All photos and video by Sue Cag. All Rights Reserved. Photos and video may not be used without permission.

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