Giant sequoias are the largest trees by volume to ever to inhabit the earth, and are among the oldest. Heights over 300 feet and diameters of 30 feet are not uncommon. Their ages commonly range from 2,000 to 3,000 years. Although once widespread, giant sequoias now occur only in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of central California.

Past land management policies have proven ineffective in protecting Sequoia National Forest ecosystems, watersheds, and the environmental and social value of these areas.

 

Sequoia ForestKeeper fills this void by acting as the guardian of the forest. SFK works to create solutions to these inadequate land management practices, to promote land stewardship, to enforce existing laws and regulations including sustainable management mandates, to implement public awareness programs, and to offer assistance to local land management agencies.  SFK also seeks to promote a sustainable balance between present human needs and the needs of future generations.  SFK is also taking an active role in the development of a strong and protective management plan for the Giant Sequoia National Monument.

Sequoia ForestKeeper achieves its mission through a wide range of activities including:

•     Conducting forest monitoring
•     Initiating surveys and gathering data on the environmental health of Sequoia resources
•     Alerting the public and agencies to potential threats to the resources
•     Promoting use of scientifically-based decision making
•     Participating in agency processes and appealing those decisions where necessary
•     Supporting and advocating the creation of new laws, regulations and policies where existing ones are insufficient
•     Utilizing education, media outreach, advocacy, volunteer monitoring, scientific analysis, dialogue and, where necessary, litigation to achieve these ends