Nestled within the Sierra Nevada mountains of California lie the ancient red giants, revered as giant sequoias, a discovery made by white hunters in the 1830s. While Native Americans had long known of these towering marvels, it wasn’t until two decades later that the broader public became aware of their existence. Initially, roads were constructed to facilitate access to these ancient organisms, leading to the unfortunate felling of many of these majestic trees. Despite the inferior quality of the lumber obtained from these giants compared to other softwoods, loggers persisted in their exploitation, driven by a desire for prestige.

Enter conservationist John Muir and the Sierra Club, staunch advocates for the preservation of these natural wonders. Their efforts culminated in the establishment of Sequoia National Park in 1890, a testament to Muir’s fervent defense of these ancient sentinels. Subsequently, Muir’s impassioned advocacy paved the way for the creation of Sequoia National Forest in 1908. Today, stringent conservation measures ensure the protection of even young sequoias, allowing the world’s largest organisms to flourish undisturbed once more, as they grow old and monumental in their ancient groves.