Our Vision
At Sempervirens Fund, we envision a future where majestic redwood forests stand resilient, especially in the face of climate change. Redwood forests protect water, air, and wildlife, and deserve our protection. Through our work we:
- Protect redwood forests and prepare them to better withstand the impacts of climate change.
- Pioneer innovative land management practices that can be replicated for greater impact.
- Expand access to redwood forests, fostering curiosity and a deeper connection to the natural world and to each other.
At Sempervirens Fund, we work with you to secure the future of Santa Cruz Mountain redwoods so we all flourish together.
What's at stake?
Without wild, resilient, and healthy redwoods, we stand to lose essential habitat, our air and water are at risk, and our region will suffer more severe consequences from climate change. We will also lose places where people can go to experience the wonder and inspiration these forests can provide.
The lands we protect are strategically identified for their ecological and conservation values, including the size and quality of their redwood groves, the range of native plants and animals, the quality of their waterways, and proximity to existing protected areas. And many of these lands serve as habitat corridors for wildlife like pumas, bobcats, and deer, or nesting habitats for marbled murrelets. Learn more about the science of redwoods.
Why now?
Despite extraordinary efforts to preserve redwood forests over the last century, development pressures, fragmented wilderness, and an accelerating climate crisis are putting immense pressure on our existing redwoods forests to thrive. With less than half of the existing redwoods in the region permanently protected, we have to work urgently to protect what remains.
As redwood-forested properties become available on the real estate market, we work quickly to protect them to ensure they will never be developed, degraded, or destroyed. The ways we do this are powerful and permanent. We purchase property directly, or partner with landowners to secure a conservation easement for their property, thereby ensuring the natural resources are protected, always. Learn more about how we work.