About Us

Photo from Creative Commons. 

The three main objectives of NSDAR are historic preservation, the promotion of education, and patriotic endeavor. The Redwood Forest Chapter, NSDAR, has participated in historic preservation in many ways during its long history. More of those objectives that the Redwood Forest Chapter, NSDAR, has met are as follows.

One way is by the placement of several markers on the stretch of highway known as the Avenue of the Giants. Another way is by its activism in preserving the Avenue of the Giants.  After a bill was passed by the California State Legislature to put money aside to preserve the Avenue of the Giants, certain lawmakers began a campaign to reverse the legislature's decision and use the funds elsewhere. However, the ladies of the Redwood Forest Chapter, NSDAR, began a letter-writing campaign to their legislators insisting that the funds be used as originally intended.

The chapter has also placed several markers in Jedediah Smith State Park, which is located just north of Crescent City in Del Norte County, close to the Oregon border.

Another marker has been placed by the chapter marking the "Indian Treaty Tree" at Korbel. This tree, which was noted as being leafless and not particularly beautiful, marked the boundary lines between the coastal and mountain tribes of Native Americans located in this area.  It is said that those traveling the trail tied evergreen twigs to the tree to mark the peace between the tribes.

The Redwood Forest Chapter, NSDAR, contributes to the promotion of education by supporting DAR Good Citizens. DAR Good Citizens awards are presented to high school seniors who have shown that they excel in dependability, service to others, leadership, and patriotism.  Each award recipient is given a medal and a small cash donation. Other awards are given to grades five through eight for the American History essay contest. Every year a theme is assigned for the essays and students from different schools in the area are given a chance to submit their best work. A special meeting is held to honor these young people where they are presented with an award certificate and a medal followed by a small reception. Please visit our Contests and Awards page for more information. 

An example of the chapter's efforts in conservation is that the chapter assisted in helping the NSDAR by contributing to a nationwide effort to plant trees in honor of George Washington's 200th birthday celebration. The most notable contribution towards conservation is the chapter's efforts in the preservation of Azalea Park. For more information see the Chapter Activities and Project page. 

The Redwood Forest Chapter, NSDAR, also supports the State Regent's Project for the 2020-2022 term. The current state regent is supporting the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement (WAM), a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to raising awareness about women’s increased risk for Alzheimer’s, educating the public, particularly women, about lifestyle changes they can make to protect their brain health and to funding women-based Alzheimer’s research at leading scientific institutions. In 2020-2021, WAM will also be establishing Alzheimer’s prevention centers, designed for people, especially women, to access the medical experts they need to learn how to delay or prevent Alzheimer’s by caring for their cognitive health from a young age.