His research partners include Sequoia National Park, the US Geological Survey and the Carnegie Airborne Observatory. In 2014, they found that water stress was causing certain giant sequoias to shed 15% more of their leaves than had ever been observed. Yet, up close, fire scars, evidence from lightning strikes and new trees growing out of fallen sequoias all confirm the resilient nature of these living elders.
“I have a personal, spiritual attachment to this entire forest. The giant sequoias are beautiful, massive, ancient beings, and being at the base of one and seeing this big orange trunk that’s five to seven metres in diameter and 90m tall – with sprawling crowns and massive scars – is an incredibly humbling experience,” Ambrose said.