The Sierra Nevada mountains in California are home to ancient red giants, known as giant sequoias, which were discovered by white hunters in the 1830s. Despite being known for centuries by Native Americans, it took another 20 years for the general public to become aware of these massive trees. Initially, roads were built to allow easier access to these ancient organisms, resulting in the felling of many of these trees. Although the lumber from these trees was inferior to other softwoods, loggers continued to cut them down out of prestige. Conservationist John Muir and his Sierra Club advocated for the protection of these trees, with Sequoia National Park being established in 1890. Muir’s passionate defense of these trees eventually led to the formation of Sequoia National Forest in 1908. Today, even young trees are not logged, and the world’s most massive organisms are free to grow old and enormous once again.
