Save Our Sequoias Act

The Save Our Sequoias Act would address the crisis facing California's giant sequoia groves, which have experienced nearly 20% loss in recent years due to catastrophic wildfires. The bill would establish a comprehensive reforestation strategy to regenerate giant sequoias in groves destroyed by recent fires, codify emergency procedures to accelerate necessary forest treatments, and create the Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition to coordinate management efforts among federal, state, tribal, and local land managers. It would also establish a Giant Sequoia Health and Resiliency Assessment to track the trees' health over time and create a protection fund through the National Park Foundation to promote grove resiliency.

The legislation would provide funding for hazardous fuels reduction treatments and create grant programs to support forest management in and around giant sequoia groves. At current rates, it would take the U.S. Forest Service 52 years to treat just the 19 most at-risk groves, so the bill aims to accelerate science-based forest treatments to improve air and water quality, reduce carbon emissions, and protect vital habitats. If enacted, the bill would enhance coordination between government agencies and land managers to protect these ancient trees, which are the world's largest by volume and provide critical ecological, scientific, and cultural benefits.