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Storm topples California drive-thru tree. Can we save the remaining sequoias?

The giant sequoia that fell Sunday bore the scars of 19th century tourism. But it endured thanks to hard work by conservationists. Now, climate change and land policy changes pose new threats for giant trees.

First Look

No one knows when exactly the northern California聽sequoia named Pioneer Cabin first put down roots. But when a storm toppled the ancient tree Sunday night, nature fans around the world mourned its death. After the Calaveras Big Tree Association announced, 鈥淭he Pioneer Cabin Tree has fallen!鈥�, Facebook users on the group鈥檚 page.

Pioneer Cabin belonged to the species Sequoiadendron giganteum, better known as 鈥済iant sequoias.鈥� Though not as tall as their relatives, the Coast Redwoods, giant sequoias are more massive. In 1880, tourism promoters cut a tunnel through Pioneer Cabin鈥檚 base.

remain in California, but don鈥檛 expect any more. Most of the state鈥檚 redwoods and sequoias are now under state or federal protection. " in the early history of our national parks," the National Parks Service writes on its website. "But today sequoias which are standing healthy and whole are worth far more."

Pioneer Cabin faced the excesses of a "time and place" that had little regard for conservation. But it also saw the rise of an environmental consciousness 鈥� and policies 鈥� that have spared sequoia groves further damage. Pioneer Cabin may have fallen, but its neighbors continue to enjoy state protection 鈥� although the trees also face new manmade threats.

When explorers first reached Pioneer Cabin鈥檚 grove, about 100 miles southeast of Sacramento, in the mid-19th century, they knew they had found something special. Other Americans soon agreed: As railroads and stage coaches made California more accessible after the Civil War, California鈥檚 old-growth forests saw a surge in tourism.

Between 1853 and 1864, a total of reached Yosemite Valley. By 1874, the Valley hosted more than 2,700 visitors each year. Many of them likely took time to see the nearby Mariposa Grove, also home to giant sequoias.

These early visitors鈥� habits would make modern conservationists cringe. At first, access to California鈥檚 wonders was controlled by private tour operators, who developed a wide range of gimmicks to attract visitors. Pioneer Cabin鈥檚 tunnel was one of these ploys. Meanwhile, in Mariposa Grove, 鈥�. Parties desiring a permanent designation were required to donate a sign with the name painted on it. Some people sent white marble name plates and others metal ones,鈥� historian Linda W. Greene wrote in a 1987 study on Yosemite.聽

Slowly, attitudes changed. After aggressive lobbying by John Muir and other conservationists, in 1890 Congress declared Yosemite a National Park. Other unique ecosystems followed suit, prompting the creation of the National Parks Service in 1916. State park systems extended the trend further; California added Calaveras Big Trees State Park, where Pioneer Cabin stood, to its system in 1931. Today, falls under some kind of protected status.

This bodes well for Pioneer Cabin鈥檚 neighbors. But sequoias also face new threats in the 21st century. Although the trees may be well suited to withstand climate change, it's too early too tell how they will聽fare in an age of . The national and state parks systems themselves may come in for changes, given the push to transfer more federally controlled public lands to the states.聽Recent have left some states struggling, prompting many state parks to slash programs or visiting hours, and seek out new funding sources, from zip-lining to corporate sponsorships.

However this trend plays out in California, the state鈥檚 sequoias will likely see it firsthand. In 2015, the state鈥檚 Parks Department that it had been in 鈥渃risis mode,鈥� and that 鈥渟ervice levels are declining due primarily to rising costs, declining revenues and mission creep.鈥� Now, those who mourned Pioneer Cabin鈥檚 passing will have their eyes on , tasked with addressing these problems,聽to preserve remaining sequoias for future generations.