The Mighty Sequoia

The giant sequoia, Sequoiadendron giganteum, is a large, long-lived, pioneer species found on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California, growing in at least 75 scattered groves within mixed conifer forests. Mature giant sequoia trees, monarchs, can live to be thousands of years old, and until recently their primary cause of death was falling over. Today, however, giant sequoias face three major threats:
  1. tree mortality in high-severity fires such as the Castle Fire of 2020; 
  2. being killed by drought-mediated insect attack (between 20 and 30 monarch sequoias have died this way within Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks); and
  3. death from other unanticipated impacts of climate change such as altered hydrology, snowpack, or other factors.​​
​“The recent tree deaths from the complex interactions between wildfire, drought, and beetles have really caught us off guard. We have been studying the possible climate change impacts on giant sequoia extensively for the past five years, and all modeling indicates that the majority of sequoia groves will be outside their climate envelope by 2060. However, we did not anticipate witnessing the deaths of mature giant sequoia so abruptly. Frankly, we are shocked and realize now more than ever that we must start working faster in order to protect these amazing trees. Each day that we wait, we lose valuable time to start imperative research that will help shape the future of the species. Public support could not come at a more critical time.”

- Dr. Christy Brigham, Chief of Resources Management and Science for Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
You can help preserve this magnificent species by donating to the Sequoia Conservation Fund. Ninety percent of your donation directly supports the cutting-edge research and science being done at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks​ to better understand and protect giant sequoias into the future.
Resources on Giant Sequoias, Fire, and Drought
Recent Radio Interviews on Sequoia Conservation
​Recent News Coverage​
Learn About the Many Ways to Fight Climate Change
  • Make a Donation to Sequoia Parks Conservancy’s Sequoia Conservation Fund 
    Ninety percent of your donation directly supports the critical and crucial work being done at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks to ensure that giant sequoias stay healthy and are given the opportunity to mature. ​
  • Help Us Monitor and Learn About Giant Sequoias
    ​So much is changing rapidly in our environment that scientists can’t keep up. Many parks and other areas have community science projects that can help scientists collect data to track, understand, and respond to these changes. In Sequoia National Park, volunteers monitor sequoia growth over time to help park managers understand if trees are growing more slowly or dying more quickly as our environment changes. To see opportunities or to request an opportunity to volunteer with giant sequoias, please visit Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks volunteer webpage.
  • Do Whatever You Can to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions 
    There are many things we can all do to slow and even reverse the trend in carbon emissions. All current data and modeling indicate climate change is detrimental to giant sequoias. Become educated on legislation that affects climate change and take personal action such as carpooling and recycling. Visit Project Drawdown or the Union of Concerned Scientists for more about how you can help counter climate change.
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