Redwoods’ Ability to Store Carbon Determined Invaluable

July 14, 2020

GCA Grove Worth Protecting

California old-growth redwoods, including The Garden Club of America Grove, have long been admired for their girth, age, and beauty. Researchers have discovered their impressive carbon storage capacity, deeming them invaluable in future climate discussions. A joint study by the Save the Redwoods League (STRL), a GCA collaborating organization for nearly 90 years, and Humboldt State University demonstrates that old-growth redwood forests “store more carbon per acre than any other forest type.” 

Through STRL’s Redwoods and Climate Change Initiative, research “confirms the exceptionally large role that redwood forests can play” in addressing climate change. The report notes that 890 metric tons of carbon are stored for every acre of old-growth redwood forest, equivalent to taking 700 passenger vehicles off the road for a year. There are 113,000 acres of old-growth redwood forests and 1.5 million acres of younger, second-growth redwood forests.

“Now we know that these redwoods are our allies in the fight against climate change,” said Sam Hodder, STRL president and CEO. 

The GCA’s involvement protecting California redwoods began in 1931 with the purchase of 2,552 acres. The GCA Grove, as the area is now called, has expanded to 5,100 acres within Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Beginning with that first nationwide conservation effort, the GCA has donated over $1.8 million for redwood conservation through member contributions, demonstrating the GCA pledge to “restore, improve, and protect the quality of the environment through educational efforts and action in the fields of conservation and civic improvement.”  

 

Photo: Scientists of the Redwoods and Climate Change Initiative study the coast redwood canopy in Redwood National and State

Photo Credit: Stephen C. Sillett courtesy of Save the Redwoods League

 

Top Photo credit: Suzie Bissell

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