Giants Rising

Zane Moore studies redwood longevity and resilience through the lens of genomics. His research focuses on decoding the mysteries of redwood DNA. His passion for redwoods took root when he was a kid, and he still feels a deep connection to them now -- especially when he plays his French horn among their towering trunks.

Journey into the majestic redwood forests and explore the secrets of the tallest and some of the oldest living beings on Earth. Living links to the past, redwood trees hold powers that may shape our future, like their ability to withstand fire and offer clues about longevity. Through the lenses of science, culture, and human health, discover the promise of solutions that will help us ALL rise up.

Meet Sarah Bird, an artist who creates portraits of redwoods and other trees using art forms such as photography, drawing and sculpture. Her portraits are often true to scale, and her latest ambition is to create a 310-foot portrait of a 1500 year old redwood tree and display it in an urban setting. She just needs to figure out how to do it.

Social psychologist Paul Piff (UC Irvine) considers some of the ways that spending time among redwoods and other trees can impact our physical, mental and social well-being. When we experience awe in nature, different parts of our brains are activated, refocusing our minds in intriguing ways. Research shows that being among trees can also make us more compassionate and cooperative.