Sequoia National Forest

Forest Overview
271,000 trees | Located in central California

The Sequoia National Forest and Giant Sequoia National Monument in central California are named for the giant sequoia, the world's largest tree. The landscape is as spectacular as its 38 groves of giant sequoia. Majestic granite monoliths, glacier-torn canyons, roaring whitewater, and lush meadows await your discovery at the southern end of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. Elevations range from 1,000 feet in the foothill region to peaks over 12,000 feet in the rugged high country, providing visitors with some of the most spectacular views of mountainous landscape in the entire west.

Need for Trees

This project includes recovery from the 2001 McNally Fire, 2007 Vista Fire, and the 2008 Piute Fire. The reforestation efforts also include parts of the Hartland Camp area in the northwest that receives high use by forest visitors near giant sequoia groves. The Piute Fire alone consumed 37,025 acres on the Sequoia National Forest. The goal this spring is to improve resilience, habitat, and high water quality in the face of a changing climate. Enterprise Rent-a-Car and the Arbor Day Foundation will make sure that this goal is reached in the spring of 2010.

Impact

Sequoia National Forest is located in Tulare County which is populated by more than 426,000 residents. The county crosses eleven different watersheds in south central California. Some of the critical waterways in the forest are Hume Lake, Kern River, and Kings River. Near the end of the Piute Fire in 2008, two localized heavy rainstorm events occurred within the fire area. These events resulted in high rates of soil erosion, sedimentation of streams, and debris flows that extended into the Kern River from Erskine Creek and Clear Creek. It is imperative that these areas are replanted and the trees can begin to hold soil in place and keep the soil out of the water.

About the Pledge