What Makes an Icon?
National icons are not solely carved in stone.
They breathe in our national parks, move throughout our skies and seas, and, most importantly, shape the unique ecosystems across our country. In short, they are the keystone species that play a pivotal role in ensuring the continued health and survival of America's pristine natural environment.
The National Geographic Society is celebrating America’s 250th anniversary by honoring these legendary keystone species that mirror America’s own grit and innovation, and the National Geographic Explorers fighting to secure their future. These species are the sparks that ignite the curiosity in every Explorer and their drive to reach for the stars in their boundless pursuit of scientific knowledge. Keystone species define what makes our country's wild spaces so special — and worth preserving.
A Closer Look
Redwoods and Sequoias
California's Living Giants
California, the most populous state in the U.S. and third-largest by area, is home to two of the biggest trees in the world: coast redwoods and giant sequoias. Coast redwoods are the tallest living things on Earth; they can reach staggering heights of up to 380 feet. Giant sequoias, meanwhile, are the largest trees by volume; the famed General Sherman Tree, located in the Giant Forest of Sequoia National Park, weighs roughly 1,400 tons. Redwoods and sequoias are foundational elements of their forest ecosystems, storing massive amounts of carbon dioxide and water and providing safe habitats for other plants and animals. The National Geographic Society has played a leading role in preserving these living giants, including documenting redwood trees in National Geographic magazine throughout the 1960s, helping spark support for the creation of Redwood National Park.
Explorers In the Field
National Geographic Explorers Protecting Redwoods
Alana Chin
National Geographic Explorer
Alana was born in the redwood region and is an assistant professor of botany at California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt. She has a Ph.D. in ecology from the University of California, and held a fellowship from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology. Her work focuses on the impact of climate change on trees and the reciprocal impact of trees on carbon assimilation and storage.
Michael Fay
National Geographic Explorer
Mike Fay's documentation of trees, wildlife, and human impact led to the protection of an incredible 11,000 square miles of the East African country of Gabon. Since then, Fay has participated in many Pristine Seas expeditions led by National Geographic Explorer in Residence Enric Sala.
Visit Us
Celebrate the 250th Anniversary at the National Geographic Museum of Exploration
Our brand new, state of the art National Geographic Museum of Exploration (MOE) is set to open July 26, 2026 in the heart of Washington, D.C. If you are celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary in our nation’s capital, the MOE is a must-visit destination.
