Save the Redwoods League protects and restores redwood forests

and connects people with their peace and beauty so these wonders of the natural world flourish.

• Coast redwoods are the world’s

tallest tree- taller than 30-floor

skyscraper

• Only native in a narrow strip from

central CA to southern OR

• Trunks can grow 24 feet wide

• Can grow for over 2,000 years

• Of the original 2 million acres of old-

growth redwoods, 95% has been

logged

The Garden Club of America Grove

Located in the heart of Humboldt Redwoods State Park

The original 2,552 acres was purchased in 1931 and formally dedicated as the GCA Grove in 1934

GCA covered half the acquisition costs

A History of Partnership

Over the next 4 decades, SRL and GCA partnered to protect more priority lands for addition to the grove and to protect the entire Canoe Creek watershed

When the last parcel was added in 1972, the grove was over 5,100 acres

It is the 3rd largest dedicated grove in the entire CA State Park system

A History of Partnership

Since 1930, GCA members across the country have donated over $1.5 million dollars to ensure the protection of the lands within and around the GCA Grove

As of August 1, 2013, only $270,000 remained from the GCA share of acquisition costs

Photo: Hillsborough Garden Club Members visiting the GCA Grove in September 2011. In 1943, the Hillsborough Garden Club was awarded the Garden Club of America Founders Fund Award to establish a separate redwood grove in honor of J. Sterling Morton, the Founder of National Arbor Day.

The GCA Grove is located in Humboldt Redwoods State Park

•40 miles south of Eureka, CA

•215 miles north of San Francisco, CA

ARCATA

EUREKA

FORTUNA

HUMBOLDT REDWOODS

The entrance is marked by 2 wooden signs

The Grove is accessed from a Day Use Area just off the scenic Avenue of the Giants Parkway

A New Partnership Opportunity

Canoe Fire in 2003 and storms in 2006 obstructed access to the lands in and around the GCA Grove

The fire resistant ancient redwoods survived with only scorched trunks, but many trails and bridges were completely destroyed

CA State Parks has not been able to secure the funding to rehabilitate the area and access remains closed off

Redwood sorrel (Oxalis oregano) carpets the floor of the GCA Grove. This is one of the areas that burned hottest during the Canoe Fire yet the ancient trees remain strong and a lush green understory of ferns and sorrel has returned. Unfortunately, this area is currently closed to the public..

Photos taken in July 2013. On the left, Canoe Creek runs through the GCA Grove.

A New Partnership Opportunity

A plan has been designed to:

Restore 2.5 miles of trail

Reroute 3.5 miles of trail to a more sustainable alignment

Replace 8 bridges ranging from 18 to 42 feet

Build 7 small retaining walls to prevent erosion

Photo: Ranger Wiegman stands at one of the areas in need of a new bridge. A wooden plank serves as a temporary bridge for Park staff to access this area, which is still closed to the public.

Bridge the Gap!

Recently announced Bridge the Gap campaign is an effort to raise funds to reopen public access to the GCA Grove

AND donations will also be credited toward the remaining balance of GCA’s share of the acquisition costs of the final land purchase in 1972!Photo: GCA members crossing Canoe Creek.

Courtesy of the GCA Archives.

Bridge the Gap

In 2013 and 2014 SRL will double-credit GCA-affiliated donations to:

1. The River Trail Restoration Project, and

2. The remaining balance of the 1972 acquisition costs

What Clubs Are Doing Clubs are encouraged by

GCA to donate directly to Save the Redwoods League

By Mail: Please reference “GCA” or “Bridge the Gap”

Online at: www.SaveTheRedwoods.org/GCA

Fundraising updates are available by signing in to the GCA Members AreaWe hope to plan a celebratory field trip to the GCA Grove to see the

restored trail in 2018 when the GCA Annual Meeting will be in San Francisco, and when Save the Redwoods League turns 100 years!

(As of Nov. 15, 2013)

For more photos and information visit www.SaveTheRedwoods.org/GCA

Questions? Contact Megan Ferreira at Save the Redwoods League at (415) 820-5809 or mferreira@SaveTheRedwoods.org