Save the Redwoods League successfully raised $4 million to acquire Red Hill, one of the two largest unprotected giant sequoia properties in the world. The 160-acre property has 110 ancient giant sequoia, as Save the Redwoods League says in the press release received by Lesprom Network.
Red Hill is surrounded by the Giant Sequoia National Monument and Sequoia National Forest. The League plans to protect and steward the Red Hill property and eventually transfer it to the US Forest Service (USFS) for permanent protection as part of these public lands.
“Red Hill is one of the great natural gems of the Sierra Nevada, and this purchase and ultimate transfer will assure its protection forever,” said Sam Hodder, president and CEO of Save the Redwoods League.
The acquisition and ultimate transfer of the property will allow the USFS to manage Red Hill in coordination with the national monument’s general plan, which emphasizes protection of ancient giant sequoia, wildfire risk reduction, watershed protection, habitat enhancement for threatened species, and recreational opportunities. Those goals also conform to the priorities of the Tule River tribe, which owns adjacent lands.
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.
