Stout Memorial Grove in Jedediah Smith Redwood State
Park. Save the Redwoods League has protected
more than 5,500 acres in this park.

Protect Resources

research grants program overview

Save the Redwoods League started the Research Grants Program to help advance scientific knowledge related to redwoods and to improve understanding of redwood ecosystems. We have made grants to a wide variety of scientists studying various aspects of the coast redwood, giant sequoia and associated ecosystems.

Grant Application Guidelines
2008-9 Grantees

Examples of Grant-Supported Research

A study of coast redwood and giant sequoia genetics. Save the Redwoods League helped establish a redwood gene bank at the University of California, Berkeley. The gene bank provides invaluable information to researchers investigating genetic and/or other biological processes across the natural ranges of both species.
Investigations of "cryptic"or hidden forms of biodiversity in coast redwood forests. Fern mats suspended hundreds of feet above the forest floor and the forest floor itself have been shown to support little-known forms of biodiversity, including canopy lichens and microscopic organisms related to crustaceans.
Funding assistance for the writing of an Annotated Bibliography of the Biology of the Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens), which covers more than 70 years of research.

More redwood research and available grant reports

2008-9 Research Program Grantees

Save the Redwoods League in January 2009 awarded the following research grants totaling more than $96,000 to advance general understanding of redwoods, their environments and their related communities of organisms. This research will help determine what the trees need to thrive and how damaged forests may be restored. The Research Grants Program has made these annual grants since 1997 to a variety of scientists.

Linking Structure and Function in Giant Sequoia Trees, Todd Dawson, University of California, Berkeley. More about Dawson's research
Redwoods Mortality and Sprouting Response to Summer 2008 Fires, Kevin O'Hara, University of California, Berkeley
Insect Diversity and Niche Specialization in Giant Sequoias, Patricia Raggio, California Department of Parks and Recreation, Central Valley District
Barred Owl and Spotted Owl Resource Selection in Coast Redwood Forests, Kristin Schmidt, Redwood National and State Parks
Effects of Forest Restoration on Mesocarnivores in the Redwood Region, Keith Slauson, Redwood Sciences Laboratory, USDA Forest Service
Long-Term Dynamics Following Fuel Reduction Treatments in a Giant Sequoia-Mixed Conifer Forest, Scott Stephens, University of California, Berkeley

Evaluating the Importance of Redwood Forests as Wintering and Mating Habitat for a Continental Migrant: The Silver-Haired Bat, Theodore Weller, Redwood Sciences Laboratory, USDA Forest Service

News release on 2008-9 grantees: Save the Redwoods League Funds New Redwood Research

Since 1918, Save the Redwoods League has saved ancient redwood forests and redwood ecosystems to ensure that current and future generations can feel the awe and peace that these precious natural wonders inspire. We also save redwoods because they are rare — their natural range is only in central and northern California and southern Oregon — and because they are Earth’s tallest and some of the oldest and most massive living beings.