The Tragic Redwood Deforestation
During the mid-1800s people were heading west in search of gold on the west coast. Many found their fortune there and helped to establish the western side of the United States. Others however, did not have such luck. Upon arriving west though, they saw the Redwood Forest and realized there was a different kind of gold.
By cutting down these giant, gorgeous trees, people were able to make a fortune selling its lumber. Just before this was discovered, there were over 2 million acres of redwoods. Not long afterwards however, only a few hundred thousand acres remained. Which are, thankfully, protected today.