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Why is it in the News
Sequoia National Park located in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains is back in the news after rangers dismantled a sprawling illegal marijuana cultivation site that caused serious environmental damage, including toxic pesticide contamination and water diversion. The high-profile rescue of this iconic wilderness reminds us why it is a global leader in conservation and ecological resilience.
About Sequoia National Park
- Founded in 1890, Sequoia National Park covers over 404,000 acres across rugged, forested terrain, sharing boundaries and management with Kings Canyon National Park.
- This Park has the world’s largest living tree, the General Sherman Tree, towers within the celebrated Giant Forest, surrounded by five of the planet’s ten biggest trees.
- The park is cherished for its ancient trees, mountain canyons, and rich biodiversity, and is designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Geographical Aspects
- Located in the southern Sierra Nevada, east of Visalia, California.
- Encompasses dramatic elevation—from foothills to Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the contiguous USA at 14,505 ft (4,421 m).
- The park features deep river-cut canyons, granite monoliths like Moro Rock, glacier-carved valleys, and numerous lakes and underground caverns.
- Iconic for its old-growth sequoia forests covering 202,430 acres, alpine meadows, and rivers.
- It borders Kings Canyon National Park, forming a connected ecosystem.
FAQs
Q1: Where is Sequoia National Park located?
A1: It is in the southern Sierra Nevada, California, east of Visalia.
Q2: What makes the park unique?
A2: It is home to the world’s largest trees (giant sequoias), Mount Whitney, and dramatic mountain and canyon scenery.
Q3: Why was Sequoia National Park in the news recently?
A3: Rangers removed a large illegal marijuana farm that was contaminating the environment and diverting water.
Q4: What types of landforms and ecosystems are present?
A4: It includes canyons, glacier valleys, granite domes, rivers, lakes, alpine meadows, and vast old-growth forests.
