We're on a mission to plant and protect the world's most powerful tree.

Creating a climate safe haven for the species, removing large scale carbon from the atmosphere. Giant Sequoias are currently on the IUCN Endangered Species Red List.

Get to know us

Step inside our mission. This short film reveals why the world's most iconic trees are now officially Endangered and how as a global team we can secure their future in safe sanctuaries for centuries to come.
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Our goal is to create The Great Reserve.

A UK forest network of 100,000 Giant Sequoias, planted as a legacy for future generations

Giant Sequoia numbers are in sharp decline (10% per annum) in their native US habitat with only c.70,000 remaining

Each Sequoia is planted alongside 3 native species, restoring biodiversity and capturing up to 350+ tons of carbon over its lifetime.

Planting with Purpose

Our promise is simple: to plant responsibly, encourage biodiversity, and remove large-scale carbon by protecting every Sequoia for its natural lifetime. Each grove is cared for to ensure a thriving ecosystem - where native species and Giant Sequoias grow side by side.

All of our woodlands and carbon capture are externally audited and verified by the Soil Association in accordance with the FSC® Ecosystem Services Procedure, ensuring complete transparency and long-term stewardship.

Meet the team

Henry Emson

Founder / CEO

The Great Reserve began with me planting Giant Sequoias for my two young children, starting their journey to a carbon neutral life as early as possible.

Concerned about the global climate crisis and the scale of the action needed I wanted to offer planting Sequoia trees to others, to become part of the solution rather than the problem.

We’ve now set a course to plant 100,000 Giant Sequoias in the UK to replicate what few are left in the US, creating a new safe haven for them via assisted migration, helping them to thrive for generations to come.

Jill Faircloth

Director

I came to join the project convinced that Giant Sequoias could and should play an important role in tackling climate change.

I was lucky enough to live for a short time in California and walk through forests of colossal Sequoias. It’s a genuinely awe inspiring experience.

I know that these majestic trees can capture carbon at a rate that far exceeds our native trees which makes them incredible partners in positive change. Sadly, I also know that the species is under threat in its native Sierra Nevada and we need to safeguard these beautiful and remarkable giants.

Bob Yeager

Director

Bob joined the team as someone who had been directly impacted by the recent wildfires that took hold in Sequoia National Park.

He was part of the Sequoia Crest community and was one of the home owners that lost their property to the fires, as well as witnessing the loss of some treasured old growth Giant Sequoias that were destroyed.

Bob helped recover the area by leading a replanting initiative in the area, sourcing sequoia saplings from Daid Milarch and his team at The Archangel Ancient Tree Archive.

Partnering with the world's leading Sequoia experts.

The Archangel Ancient Tree Archive, led by David Milarch in the US, is home to the most extensive collection of cloned Giant Sequoias and coast redwoods in the world.

Together, we're ensuring the species' survival - planting genetic lineages that have stood for over 3,000 years.

Watch Fox News Feature

Our intention from day one has been to deliver the greatest possible impact for the planet.

As our project has grown we’ve opened our doors to individuals and businesses looking for a more meaningful, U.K. based, durable carbon legacy. The Great Reserve is underpinned by 3 core principles.

The Great Reserve is underpinned by 3 core principles.

Plant

Creating Giant Sequoia groves with a mix of native trees and other conifers at selected UK locations, maximising the volume of standing timber while promoting biodiversity

Protect

Nurturing our trees to maturity to deliver long term carbon banking. The Great Reserve takes ownership of our groves to protect the Sequoias for their extensive lifetimes

Verify

Quantifying the withdrawal of carbon on a tracked per tree basis, using external auditors to verify our register of allocated carbon and site performance

How to get involved

Adopt

Join our Sequoia adoption program and become part of restoring one of Earth’s greatest species.
You can plant your tree in person or have our team plant it on your behalf.
Adopt a Sequoia

Corporates

We partner with businesses to create lasting impact - protecting an endangered species through assisted migration and supporting long-term, verifiable carbon removal.
Partner with Us

Support

Help us steward the land and trees. Your contribution directly supports the care, planting, and long-term protection of the
world’s greatest trees and land they grow on.
Support the Mission