How WellReceived and Sequoia Parks Conservancy are caring for ancient forests

Every business has an impact, but the real question is: what positive change can we create together?

At WellReceived, we believe caring means more than just providing a service. That’s why we plant a tree for every WellReceived customer, every month. As our community grows, so does the positive impact we make together.

Our new Giving Back partnership with Sequoia Parks Conservancy brings our mission to the ancient forests of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

We’re deepening our roots by partnering with those who care for the world’s oldest living trees, the giant sequoias. These trees have survived for centuries (some, thousands of years), providing shelter and bearing witness to history. By supporting new growth and protecting these unique forests, we can build resilience and hope for the future.

Why Sequoia Parks Conservancy?

The giant sequoias have been here for thousands of years. Standing beneath them is humbling. They remind us of the importance of caring for nature today to ensure a healthy future. 

Long before WellReceived was formed, our founder was inspired by his high school biology teacher, Vaughn Folkman.  Vaughn was also a park ranger at Sequoia National Park, and his passion for these remarkable trees led to our belief that businesses can and should make a positive difference.

Our partnership with Sequoia Parks Conservancy is part of our ongoing commitment to protect the planet for future generations.

Protecting ancient forests with Sequoia Parks Conservancy

Since 1940, Sequoia Parks Conservancy has helped Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks by funding projects that preserve forests, protect wildlife, improve visitor experiences, and keep these beautiful places open for future generations.

The giant sequoias, found only in California’s Sierra Nevada, are some of the largest and oldest living organisms on Earth. Some of these trees were already old before the Roman Empire, surviving changing climates, natural events, and many generations of people.

The General Sherman Tree is the largest tree on Earth by volume and is probably the most famous. It is estimated to be between 2,200 and 2,700 years old and stands over 275 feet tall. These old-growth sequoias store large amounts of carbon, provide homes for many species, and help scientists learn how forests can survive climate change. Protecting them means future generations can enjoy these forests for many years.

Through its work, Sequoia Parks Conservancy supports initiatives including:

• Forest restoration following wildfire
• Wildlife conservation
• Trail maintenance and availability
• Conservation education
• Scientific research
• Visitor experiences
• Support of Search and Rescue efforts

Forest restoration and wildfire recovery

Wildfires have long affected many forests, but in recent years, they have become more intense, creating new challenges for the land, wildlife, and people living nearby. In 2021, the KNP Complex Fire burned through Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, damaging forests, habitats, and important landmarks. This loss underscores the importance of investing in restoring and protecting these areas.

Sequoia Parks Conservancy supports the long-term recovery process. Their help allows scientists and researchers to restore these ecosystems, rebuild habitats, and strengthen the resilience that keeps these parks healthy.

Caring for forests is not always about stopping change. Sometimes, it means helping nature recover so it can become strong and healthy again.

Wildlife conservation and protecting biodiversity

A healthy forest is home to more than just trees. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks give many species a place to live, and conservation helps protect these habitats.

Sequoia Parks Conservancy works on projects that protect wildlife, restore habitats, help endangered species recover, and maintain the diversity of the Sierra Nevada ecosystem.

By protecting these habitats now, we help ensure that future generations can enjoy these landscapes and wildlife too.

Making nature more accessible via conservation

Conservation is also about people. 

The parks are larger than the state of Rhode Island and have over 1,000 miles of trails for exploring and learning. Support from Sequoia Parks Conservancy keeps these trails maintained, improves accessibility, restores park facilities, and helps millions of visitors experience nature.

Their Field Institute programs teach people about the natural world. Through guided adventures, wildlife experiences, conservation lessons, and outdoor learning, visitors learn why protecting these environments is important for the future.

When people understand and appreciate nature, they are more likely to protect it.

Building a sustainable future together

Standing under giant sequoias reminds us that some things are worth protecting. Planting a new tree helps today, but protecting ancient forests helps for generations.

The giant sequoias protected by Sequoia Parks Conservancy have survived for thousands of years. Our job is to help ensure they last for thousands more.

Learn more about Sequoia Parks Conservancy and how their work helps protect some of the world’s most remarkable forests.

This partnership is dedicated to the memory of Vaughn Folkman, teacher, ranger-naturalist, author of Where Is the Tree You Drive Through, and lifelong advocate for Sequoia National Park. His decades of inspiring visitors to appreciate and protect these forests left a lasting legacy.