Sandy Hagood: The Redwoods Have Always Grounded Me

I don't even know how to explain it, my love for the redwoods.

I'm 74 now. But even at 5 years old, living among the redwoods, I remember these ancient giants being hauled away. It broke my heart.

My family and I lived on a farm in Humboldt; my dad was a logger. There was no bathroom in our house, and my brother and I went to a one-room schoolhouse. Living in a rural area led to my bond with nature.

Much later in life, my father had a heart attack and I went home to care for him. Every morning, I would go into a redwoods park near where I grew up. The redwoods held me and grounded me. I would go back to my father's place totally refreshed, and that continued while I was up there.

I felt like I was in the arms of a goddess. Now I must help protect the redwoods.

Joining Save the Redwoods League in 1996 and becoming a Legacy Circle member with my gift means I can help care for these majestic beauties for thousands of years to come. I'm committed to doing anything I can to help save this planet, our redwoods, and all the critters that are here.

I support the League because they have worked so long to do just that—protect the trees. They also recognize that climate change is already changing the face of this planet. We must sustain an environment for them that will keep them going.

I hope that more and more people can make that connection.

My legacy gift to the League ensures I'm giving back where there's meaning. For me, that's what the redwoods hold. To lose them would be a horrendous loss for this planet.