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2025 marks Sempervirens Fund’s 125th anniversary.

In 1900, a group of citizen activists banded together to form Sempervirens Club—now Sempervirens Fund—and committed to protecting and nurturing our coast redwoods so they would remain sempervirens, or always green.

As we reflect on our legacy and look forward to the future, we are forever thankful to our vast community of supporters like you for your unwavering commitment to protecting redwoods. Our community, like the redwoods we protect, endures.

2 million years ago

Coast redwoods flourished, covering an estimated 2 million acres from central California to southern Oregon.

10,000 BC through the 17th century

Prior to their forced removal by missionaries and colonists, the Santa Cruz Mountains region was home to the Awaswas-speaking people—tribes that had been living in California for approximately 12,000 years as active, sustainable stewards of the land.

1849

With the start of the gold rush, redwoods were logged for lumber; today, only about 5% of coast redwoods remain.

1900

Sempervirens Fund was established. The community-led movement to save the Santa Cruz Mountains’ redwoods from logging gained momentum at the turn of the century. Community members were horrified by the destruction they saw in their backyard and joined forces to demand preservation of these threatened trees.
A person in old-fashioned clothing and a hat stands outdoors and rests an arm on a large bull, with mountains visible in the background. The image is in black and white.
A group of people in old-fashioned clothing stands and sits in front of a canvas tent in a wooded area, suggesting a historical camping scene. Some wear hats and suits; trees and foliage surround the camp.
Black-and-white photo of several people on horseback and pack mules traveling along a narrow dirt trail through a wooded, mountainous area, carrying loads of firewood or supplies.
A person wearing a hat and suit sits on a horse, holding the reins of a second saddled horse beside him, with grassy ground and trees in the background. The photo is black and white.
Two women and three small children stand in front of a large tree and a wooden shed in a rural landscape. An old-fashioned horse-drawn carriage is visible in the background. The image is black and white and slightly blurry.
Three people pose outdoors; two are sitting on horses while one stands between them, holding the horses’ bridles. A wooden wagon and leafless trees are in the background, with hills in the distance. The photo is black and white.
A black-and-white photo of six people in work clothes, some sitting, some standing, outdoors in a wooded area. One seated person holds an axe.
Five children pose outdoors in old-fashioned clothing, with greenery in the background. Four children kneel or sit around a wooden box, while one stands slightly behind them. The image is black and white and appears vintage.
Black-and-white photo of a crowded San Jose–Los Gatos Interurban Railway car with many people, some seated inside and many standing in front, posing for the camera; trees and hills in the background.
Black-and-white photo of loggers standing beside and in front of a massive tree being cut down with large saws in a forest, highlighting the enormous size of the tree trunk compared to the people.
A bearded person stands outdoors in tall grass, wearing work clothes and holding a wooden box in one hand. Trees and blurred foliage are visible in the background.

1902

At its founding, the first order of business for The Sempervirens Club (as it was then called) was to establish and permanently protect six square miles of old-growth redwoods, creating Big Basin Redwoods State Park, or as it was known then, California Redwood Park. It was the first new park in the California State Park system.

Black and white photo of people gathered outdoors around two vehicles labeled Sempervirens Club of California. Many are wearing hats and formal clothes, standing or sitting on the vehicles in a grassy, wooded area.
Two people stand beneath a large, textured rock overhang while another person climbs the rock face above them. Sunlight filters through tree branches, casting dappled shadows on the scene.
A person stands on a wooden ladder leaning against a rocky cliff, while two people sit at the top of the large rocks surrounded by trees.
A black-and-white vintage photograph of a seated person in a suit and bowtie next to a standing person in a long, formal dress with a bonnet, both posing for a formal portrait against a plain backdrop.
Black and white portrait of a young couple, both looking at the camera, from the late 19th or early 20th century.
Five children pose outdoors in old-fashioned clothing, with greenery in the background. Four children kneel or sit around a wooden box, while one stands slightly behind them. The image is black and white and appears vintage.
A black-and-white portrait of an older person with white hair and a mustache, wearing a textured suit jacket, bow tie, and a round badge pinned to his vest. The background is out of focus.
A person sits on a large, gnarled base of a massive tree labeled Animal Tree in Big Basin, California, surrounded by dense forest.
A black and white vintage photograph of a person in a long dark dress standing beside a seated person in a suit and tie. They both look serious, posing for a formal portrait with one hand resting on his arm.
Black and white photo of people gathered outdoors around two vehicles labeled Sempervirens Club of California. Many are wearing hats and formal clothes, standing or sitting on the vehicles in a grassy, wooded area.
Three people in early 20th-century attire sit and stand on a rocky hillside, looking out over a vast, mountainous landscape with sparse trees under a clear sky.

1920

Artist and photographer Andrew P. Hill was referred to as the “savior of the redwoods” for his work drawing attention to their destruction and as a founding member of Sempervirens Club. Ever since, he has been honored in many ways, including with a plaque and a fountain in his name at Big Basin State Park.

Andrew P. Hill sits on a wooden chair outdoors, wearing a dark suit and tie, in front of a large tree trunk.

1957

Butano State Park opens, after we advocated for the land’s protection.

1968

A group of local conservationists joined together to create a new state park at Castle Rock. At the same time, we became Sempervirens Fund to reflect a new emphasis as a fundraising organization.

A group of people walk outdoors across a sunlit field, with trees in the background.
A group of people in shorts and shirts stand in a circle in a wooded area, digging in the ground with shovels, surrounded by tall trees and dense foliage.
A person stands next to the massive trunk of a towering redwood tree in a forest. The trees bark is reddish and textured, dwarfing the person. Text on the image reads, Worlds largest redwood at breast height, Big Basin, California.
Black-and-white portrait of a person in uniform with short curly hair, smiling slightly.
A park ranger holding a hat speaks to a group of children and adults outside a rustic wooden building with a Park Headquarters sign.
A group of people walk outdoors across a sunlit field, with trees in the background.

1976

The Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail began taking shape in 1969. With the help of partners including California State Parks, local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, the Loma Prieta Chapter of the Sierra Club, and volunteers from many trail organizations, the trail opened to the public in 1976.

A park ranger stands by a sign reading “Sorry all camp sites and picnic sites filled” near a white SUV with camping gear on the roof and a trailer attached, surrounded by tall trees.
Three people in blue jackets stand around a truck filled with bags, possibly containing animal feed, in a wooded outdoor setting. The truck has a California license plate.
A person in overalls and a cap walks outdoors, holding a large trash bag and surrounded by trees and fallen leaves, participating in a cleanup effort.
A child wearing glasses, a white shirt, and khaki pants works outdoors, building a small wooden fence or structure with logs in a forested area. Sunlight filters through trees and bushes in the background.
A group of people outdoors sorts and collects empty, crushed metal cans into large barrels, with more barrels full of cans in the foreground and a truck visible in the background.
Two children stand outdoors on a rocky hillside, each holding a large bag full of collected items. Both wear jackets and gloves, with mountains and cloudy skies visible in the background.
A poster promoting the Sempervirens Fund leans against a filing cabinet. The poster features tall redwood trees, text about connecting Big Basin Redwoods and Castle Rock State Parks, and the fund’s address in Stanford, CA.
A weathered concrete trail marker stands on rocky ground, engraved with the words SKYLINE TO SEA and an emblem of a tree. Trees and a cloudy sky are visible in the background.
A park ranger shows an exhibit to a person in a plaid jacket, while several other people observe and smile in the background. The scene appears to take place indoors.
A park ranger in uniform and hat gestures while speaking in front of a large cross-section of a tree trunk, with historical date markers visible on the wood.
A black-and-white photo of a rustic wooden entrance gate labeled “RANCH,” leading to a gravel path surrounded by trees and fencing in a rural setting.
A person with short white hair sits in front of an illustrated display at Castle Rock State Park, wearing a patterned shirt, cardigan, and skirt.
Two people stand outdoors holding framed awards. One wears glasses and smiles, holding a large Senate certificate. One has curly hair and holds a smaller framed document. They stand in front of wooden benches.
A person with short white hair smiles warmly, standing in front of leafy plants. The photo is black and white.
Children in the forest fishing, sitting on fallen log that lies across a creek.
A group of runners, mostly in athletic wear, begin a race beneath a blank banner surrounded by tall trees in a forested area. The image is in black and white.
Black and white photo of people on a stage with a podium, U.S. flag, and a “Happy Birthday, Sempervirens” banner. One person gestures, another stands at the podium, and a third plays guitar while others watch from tables.
Black and white photo of a person wearing a knit beanie and a heavy jacket, looking thoughtfully into the distance. The background is plain and bright.
A group of people sit outdoors on benches in a wooded area, talking and holding papers, while one person stands and faces them; more people are seated in the background.
A person with a mustache stands indoors, holding a large plaque titled “THE ROAD TO THE REDWOODS” with many names engraved on it.
Two people stand side by side, both smiling. One wears glasses, a polka-dot headscarf, and a flower corsage; the other wears sunglasses, a striped top, and holds papers, laughing exuberantly.
A person speaks into a vintage microphone wearing a patterned collared shirt under a dark jacket.
Poster with illustrated trees and hikers, blue rocks in foreground, and text promoting the completion and connection of Big Basin Redwoods and Castle Rock State Parks. Includes address for the Sempervirens Fund.
A young person outdoors uses a rake to clear debris while other people work in the background in a natural, wooded area.
A child in a white t-shirt and jeans uses pruning shears to cut branches outdoors, with other people standing nearby amid trees and foliage.
A group of people work together outdoors in a wooded area, using tools to dig or clear ground. Sunlight filters through the trees as they focus on their task among tall plants and foliage.
A group of six people stand outdoors in front of trees, smiling at the camera. Some hold hiking sticks and outdoor gear, suggesting they are on a nature outing.
A group of people stand in a circle on a dirt road, seen from behind. Nearby, a car is parked with shovels and tools leaning against it. Trees and power lines are visible in the background.
A child wearing a cap and striped T-shirt uses a shovel to dig in a wooded, outdoor area. Sunlight filters through the trees, and the ground looks uneven and covered with leaves.
A group of people pose in front of a giant tree with a banner reading SEMPERVIRENS CLUB 1900 FUND 1975 and an American flag pinned to the tree in a forest setting.
Four people sit and stand around tents in a wooded campsite. Sunlight filters through tall trees. One person sits at the entrance of a tent, another sits nearby, and two others are standing and sitting on the right.

Former Sempervirens Fund Executive Director Tony Look reviewing the Mountain Shadows property, which at the time was a recent 700+ acre addition to Castle Rock State Park.

1980s & 1990s

We continued to lead ongoing efforts to protect not just the redwoods themselves, but the watersheds that nourished them. Active community support and negotiations facilitated land acquisitions that added thousands of acres to Big Basin Redwoods, Castle Rock, and Butano State Parks.

A large audience sits on wooden benches in an outdoor amphitheater surrounded by tall trees, watching a performance on a covered stage in daylight.
A conductor in a suit and striped tie leads an orchestra outdoors, raising a baton with both hands. Musicians are visible in the foreground, and a wooded audience area appears in the background.
Two people stand outdoors under tree branches, holding and examining a large map. One person wears a park ranger uniform and hat, while the other is casually dressed. Both point to areas on the map, discussing its details.
A group of people, including park rangers, adults, and a child, stand together outdoors under trees, smiling for the camera in black and white.
An person wearing glasses, a patterned hat, and a suit jacket with a tie smiles warmly at the camera. The background is a dark wooden wall.
Four people look at a large map spread out on a table. They are indoors, standing close together, appearing to discuss or examine the map intently.
A person with curly hair and a pearl necklace smiles while holding an open book in front of a bookshelf filled with various books and files.
A person with curly dark hair, wearing a light-colored sweater over a collared shirt, sits on a bench outdoors, smiling at the camera with greenery and a brick wall in the background.
A large group of people stand closely together on a wooden bridge outdoors, surrounded by tall trees and dappled sunlight.
A person with short, curly white hair sits on a couch, smiling and looking to the left.
Black and white photo of a person with short dark hair, wearing a striped shirt and patterned tie, standing in front of a map on the wall.
Three people stand together at an event. One person hands a plaque to another person, who is smiling.
Three people smile at an outdoor event with other people in the background. All three wear name tags. Trees and a bright sky can be seen behind them.
Four people stand in a grassy, rural field filming with a video camera and sound equipment. Two hold gear, one wears headphones, and one person faces away, all engaged in production work outdoors.
A person stands in a grassy field being interviewed by a small film crew with a camera, boom microphone, and sound equipment. Hills and trees are visible in the background.
A person in a suit and tie stands smiling with an arm around another person in a skirt and jacket. They are both looking at the camera, standing indoors against a dark wall.
Black-and-white portrait of a person with glasses, a beard, and short hair, wearing a suit, white shirt, and striped tie, smiling and facing the camera against a dark background.
A group of people stand in a circle under a wooden pavilion, some with hands raised, around a covered object or model in the center. The scene appears to be a communal or ceremonial gathering.
A group of people gather under a large, open-sided pavilion with a wooden shingle roof, surrounded by grassy hills and trees on a sunny day.
Two people stand beside an easel displaying a framed photo of a person outdoors. One person wears a dark outfit and smiles, while the other wears a white blazer. There is a large plant in the background.
A grayscale portrait of a person with a beard and mustache, wearing a suit jacket, dress shirt, and patterned tie, smiling slightly and looking into the camera.
Two people stand outdoors in front of a rustic wooden cabin. One person is handing an envelope to the other person. Both are smiling and casually dressed. The scene appears to be in a grassy, wooded area.
Two people smile while standing together outdoors, in front of leafy green shrubs. One wears glasses, a white blouse, and a beige sweater, while the other wears glasses and a red plaid shirt.
A group of people in formal attire are outdoors, engaging in conversation. Two people are shaking hands while others look on, smiling. Trees and a heater are visible in the background.
Three people stand together at an event. One person hands a plaque to another person, who is smiling.
Three people smile at an outdoor event with other people in the background. All three wear name tags. Trees and a bright sky can be seen behind them.
A large group of people, of various ages, poses together in a forested area near tall trees. In front, a sign reads “Col. Charles B. Wing State Park Rangers Memorial Grove.”.
A person wearing a plaid jacket and dark pants stands with one foot on a large tree trunk in a forest, touching the bark and facing the camera.
Six people stand in a row, dressed in business or semi-formal attire, in front of flags. The person in the center holds a plaque. All are smiling, and the photo is black and white.
A group of about 25 people pose outdoors on a dirt path surrounded by greenery, with trees and a cloudy sky in the background. Most are smiling and dressed casually. The photo is black and white.
Three people stand outdoors under leafy trees, smiling and holding framed certificates or awards. Sunlight and shadows filter through the branches, and a wooden picnic table is visible in the background.
Seven people, some standing and some kneeling, pose together outdoors beside a sign reading Lane-Sunset Trail Camp. They are dressed in outdoor and winter clothing, smiling at the camera. Trees and foliage are in the background.
Four people stand smiling in a wooded area as one cuts a ribbon stretched across a trail. Nearby, a sign reads LANE-SUNSET TRAIL CAMP RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BACKPACK STOVES ONLY.
Two people smiling at the camera. Both are wearing glasses; one has a floral shirt and a name tag, the other wears a patterned dress with a scarf. The background is dark and indistinct.
A person stands on a grassy hilltop, holding a map and looking out over a vast landscape of tree-covered hills and distant fog under a partly cloudy sky.
A group of people, including park rangers in uniform and civilians, stand in a line outside a wooden visitor center building surrounded by trees. The building has a sign reading Visitor Center above the entrance.
Four people sit at a picnic table with a red-checkered tablecloth, while another person stands holding a decorated cake. Food, drinks, and name tags are visible. The scene is outdoors, with trees and a wooden building in the background.
A person in a suit looks at a display titled The California Scene: Lens and Brush Impressions, featuring photographs of a waterfall, mounted on a fabric-covered board in a gallery setting.
A person in a plaid jacket and glasses stands indoors, looking at a wall display of six framed landscape paintings. The artworks depict forests, mountains, and scenic outdoor views.
A person stands at a wooden display titled Castle Rock State Park Donor Memorial, pointing at a plaque while holding papers in one hand. Trees and forest surroundings are visible in the background.
A person points at photographs in a glass display case while another person holding papers listens attentively. They are indoors, standing in front of double wooden doors.
Black-and-white cover of The Redwoods Calendar 1982 featuring a misty forest scene with tall redwood trees and dense foliage. Text at the top and author names, Larry & Donna Ulrich, at the bottom.
A group of park rangers and visitors pose smiling in front of a wooden Visitor Center with a sign reading Visitor Center Sempervirens Room on a sunny day.
An 81st birthday cake for Big Basin.
A 5th birthday cake for SCMTA.

1991

We protected Camp Hammer through our first conservation easement.

221007 Sempervirens Historic Slides 066

2000

We protected the 1,340-acre San Lorenzo River Redwoods, and added these lands to Castle Rock State Park.

A group of people, some in vintage costumes and hats, pose and smile together outdoors in front of a large tree and a banner that reads “Sempervirens Centennial Celebration: A Century of Preserving the Redwoods 1900-2000.”
A group of people stand together outdoors in front of a large tree and a banner that reads “Sempervirens Centennial Celebration: A Century of Preserving the Redwoods 1900-2000.” Several people smile and pose for the photo.
A person in a suit and a person in a blazer and pearls smile at the camera at a formal event. Both wear name tags. Other people are visible in the background. The image is black and white.
A person holding a bouquet of flowers stands next to another person in a suit and tie. Behind them is a plaque displayed on an easel, and a curtain is visible in the background.
Five people stand together in a forest, wearing jackets and hats. Three of them are intently looking at maps or papers, possibly planning a hike or route, while the others observe the scene.
A baby in a hooded jacket is held up between two adults, all facing a massive tree trunk in a forest. The baby looks upwards, sunlight illuminating their face.
A large group of people wave for a photo in front of a giant tree, with a banner reading Sempervirens Centennial Celebration hanging behind them in a forested area.
A person stands gazing up at a giant redwood tree in a forest. A sign labeled Mother of the Forest gives the trees dimensions. Another person is seen walking among the trees in the background.
A person with short, light brown hair, wearing a maroon and blue striped collared shirt, smiles while standing in front of green leafy trees with yellow fruit.
A wooden sign reading MICHAELS SUMMIT GROVE stands on a forest floor covered in fallen leaves, with tall trees and sunlight filtering through the branches in the background.
A person in a striped shirt and dark blazer gestures while talking to a person outdoors; three other people are in the background amid trees.
A group of people in vintage clothing poses outdoors by a wooden fence and building, gathered around an old-fashioned camera on a tripod. The setting appears to be historical or reenactment-themed.
A wooden sign reading “John H. Cummings Memorial Redwood Trees Planted March 7, 1970” stands on dry, sparse ground with small plants, surrounded by larger trees under a clear blue sky.
A wooden sign reading "Theodore J. Hoover Natural Preserve" stands in a grassy area with yellow-flowered bushes and green shrubs in the background.
A person with glasses smiles while wearing a plaid shirt and sweater.
A young child wearing a yellow hard hat and denim jacket presses down on a shovel, digging in the dirt outdoors with greenery in the background.
Three people outdoors crouch around a thistle plant, examining it closely. One person points at the plant while the others watch. Sunlight filters through, and dry grass surrounds them.

2007

We protected the 535-acre Little Basin, a former camp retreat for Hewlett Packard employees. Little Basin was later added to Big Basin Redwoods State Park.

2011

An extensive coalition of community land trust partners facilitated the purchase and protection of the 8,532-acre San Vicente Redwoods property to heal and restore the forest after decades of commercial use. It was the largest private forestland remaining in the Santa Cruz Mountains, and the largest land purchase in our history. This was only possible due to enthusiastic community support and investment.

San Vicente Redwoods Grove

2012

We partnered with the Girl Scouts of Northern California to protect their camp properties, including two large old-growth redwood groves, with two conservation easements.

2014

We led the formation of the Santa Cruz Mountains Stewardship Network (scmsn.net), a regional collaboration of 25 organizations engaged in land stewardship in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Join Our Team Map Land Tour 2023 By Orenda Randuch

2017

We partnered with the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band to protect 96 acres of coastal land. We also became the fiscal sponsor for the Indigenous Amah Mutsun Land Trust and helped them become their own 501c3 nonprofit land trust.

Former Sempervirens Fund Executive Director, Reed Holderman (R) on ridgeline at Cotoni-Coast Dairies.

2017

Along with donors, foundation funders, and key partners, we led the campaign to designate the Cotoni-Coast Dairies, over 5,000 acres adjacent to San Vicente Redwoods, as a National Monument.

A group of people in front of the White House.

2018

Sempervirens Fund and partners Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST), Save the Redwoods League, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife worked together to remove the invasive plant, Clematis vitalba, at San Vicente Redwoods.

2019

The Robert C. Kirkwood entrance, built by Sempervirens Fund, opened at Castle Rock State Park.

2020

An unprecedented late summer dry lightning storm struck the Santa Cruz Mountains, igniting fires across the region. The 86,500-acre CZU fire ravaged Big Basin State Park, San Vicente Redwoods, and 90% of land protected by Sempervirens Fund.

2021

The Mill Creek Dam was removed, helping endangered coho salmon to return and thrive.

2022

In partnership with The Y, we purchased a conservation easement and created a stewardship fund to protect Camp Jones Gulch, allowing the old growth treasures here, and youth access, to be permanently protected.

Two adults and four children stand closely together outdoors, examining a small object in one adult’s hand. The group looks curious and engaged, surrounded by greenery. Some wear shirts with a Y logo.
Three smiling people wearing hoodies and gloves are crouched outside, planting a small tree in the ground surrounded by greenery and trees.

2022

Big Basin Redwoods State Park reopened after the destructive CZU Lightning Fire Complex. Most redwood trees survived, and stewardship and restoration efforts in conjunction with our partners will speed the forests’ recovery.

The Present

More recently, with your support, Sempervirens Fund:

  • Added the Robert C. Kirkwood entrance and five more protected properties to Castle Rock State Park.
  • Purchased Año Nuevo Vista, connecting protected habitat near Big Basin Redwoods and adjacent to Girl Scouts Camp Skylark Ranch.
  • Acquired two properties in the Saddle Mountain conservation area, which will safeguard the second-growth redwoods recovering from wildfire there.
  • Helped pass two major climate and wildfire resiliency measures: Measure Q and Prop 4. Both will create funds to support forest, water, and wildlife health.
  • Removed dilapidated, dangerous structures at Castle Rock Hollow.
  • Continued multi-year management of invasive species such as French broom and old man’s beard, which can fuel wildfires.
  • Launched a Forest Fellowship program, with artist and illustrator Jane Kim as our inaugural fellow.
  • Debuted Trails Rx, our trails prescription program, helping people understand the health benefits of nature and find a trail that is best suited for their fitness level and wellness needs.

Our Future

To prepare for the next 125 years, and the 125 years after that, we have developed a comprehensive strategic plan that will guide our work. Its focus areas are:

  • Protect thousands of acres of at-risk redwood forests from destruction
  • Restore and care for redwood forests to enhance climate resilience
  • Connect people to redwoods
  • Galvanize public and political support to advance conservation policies
  • Advance innovative conservation policies to extend our reach across the landscape
  • Build necessary organizational capacity and culture

We wouldn’t be where we are today without our community - without you. Continuing this work will require a lot from us, and we can’t do it without your enthusiastic support. Thank you for recognizing the importance of redwoods—as a California icon, as climate change superheroes, and as trees that inspire awe and wonder.

You are as critical to our ecosystem as they are. Thank you.

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