About The Great Reserve
We’re on a mission to plant and protect the Giant Sequoia
Creating a climate safe haven for the species, removing large scale carbon from the atmosphere
Giant Sequoias are on the IUCN Endangered Species Red List
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
We plant 3 native UK species for every Sequoia to promote biodiversity
Our promise is to plant responsibly, to encourage biodiversity, and remove large scale carbon by protecting every Sequoia for its natural lifetime
Our woodlands and carbon are externally audited and verified by the Soil Association in accordance with the FSC® Ecosystem Services Procedure
MEET THE TEAM
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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.
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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. I’m delighted to be a part of the team and hope to welcome many others to our project and mission.
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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.
Read his full story HERE.
The Great Reserve working with the Archangel Ancient Tree Archive.
The Archangel team are the world’s leading experts on Giant Sequoias. Our partnership with David Milarch and his team in the US is explained in an interview on FOX NEWS.
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.
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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
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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 can you get involved?
Wear the Movement. Share the Story.
Your Giant Sequoia, grown and protected within The Great Reserve - a living legacy for families, communities, and organisations.
A lifetime of environmental impact, carbon capture, and biodiversity protection.
Self-planting and partnership options available.
