California Budget Changes May Spur 100+ Parks Closures

The state budget that California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger recently signed is expected to result in the closure of more than 100 state parks instead of the 223 projected last June. A list of closures due to the state budget deficit is expected in the coming weeks. Save the Redwoods League is analyzing the impact of the cuts on all parks, and the redwoods in particular. Our goal is to ensure that the cuts don’t permanently impair the redwoods in the long term. Thank you to the thousands of people who voiced their support to help keep state parks, including redwood parks, open. Learn more and take action! Meanwhile, visit California's redwood parks. Photo: Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, Bren 1863, contestant in our Walk Among Giants Online Photo Contest on Flickr

Purchase Protects Sonoma Old-Growth; 2 Properties Transferred

With our members’ and partners’ support, Save the Redwoods League recently purchased 40 acres and transferred two properties to the California State Parks system.

Last month, we acquired acreage in Sonoma County (pictured) containing a stand of redwoods that has never been cut. Adjacent to the Lake Sonoma Recreation Area, this area has little old-growth redwood forest remaining. The property is accessible by a hiking trail and by boat on Lake Sonoma.

The two properties transferred to California State Parks expand Humboldt Redwoods State Park by about 50 acres. Both are second-growth forests buffering the Eel River watershed and the old-growth trees nearby.

Vote in Our Walk Among Giants^SM Online Photo Contest

We entered the final stage of Save the Redwoods League’s first Walk Among Giants Online Photo Contest. In the last two months, we received approximately 200 beautiful photos showing subjects ranging from towering redwood giants to forest animals, flowers, and more. Thank you to all contestants for participating. The contest is open for public voting. Vote for your favorite photo through September 7, 2009! Winners will be announced on September 18, 2009, on savetheredwoods.org/contest.

League, Kids Help Clean Up State Parks

California State Parks and Save the Redwoods League strengthened their longtime partnership by initiating a novel forest clean-up idea. The objective: Harness the passion and energy of California’s youths to meet the basic needs of the parks they enjoy. The result is the Litter-Getter program, which teaches children to keep parks clean and gives them special small bags in which to collect parks’ litter. This year, about 15,000 children picked up litter in 70 state parks throughout California, gathering a total of 50,000 pounds of trash! “Once again, as so often in the past, the quality of our park system has been enhanced though the action of Save the Redwoods League,” said Ruth Coleman, Director of California State Parks. “California and Californians could not ask for a more faithful friend.” Photo: The Udall Legacy, Flickr Creative Commons

Member Book Discount Until August 31

Save the Redwoods League members are invited to purchase the new children’s novel Operation Redwood, an ecological adventure story from author and environmental lawyer Susannah Terrell French. The author and publisher are offering this book to our members with a 40% discount and free shipping until August 31! Operation Redwood follows the intriguing and noble mission of a middle-schooler and his friends to save a grove of old-growth redwoods from destruction. League members may buy the book for $10.17 by filling out and sending in the order form (PDF).

Redwood Matters Wins Award

Redwood Matters has won a Gold Award in the Hermes Creative Awards, an international competition for creative professionals involved in the conception, writing and design of traditional and emerging media. The competition is administered and judged by the Association of Marketing and Communications Professionals. About 3,700 entries from the United States and several other countries were entered in the 2009 competition. The Gold Award is presented to entries judged to exceed the high standards of the industry norm. About 18% of entries received this award.

Favorite Redwood Hike: Self-Guided Discovery Trail, Hendy Woods State Park, Mendocino County

In this recurring feature, our staff members and volunteers share their favorite places to experience redwoods.

Name and Title: Jennifer Benito, Director of Outreach

Trailhead: From Highway 1, about 10 miles south of Mendocino, turn inland on Highway 128 and travel 20 miles to Philo Greenwood Road. Turn right and drive a half mile to the entrance of Hendy Woods State Park. Follow the park road 1.75 miles to its end at the picnic area. If you’re traveling Highway 128 northwest from Cloverdale/Highway 101, you’ll proceed some 8 miles past Boonville to the state park turnoff.

Difficulty/Distance: This is an easy hike, perfect for a leisurely stroll through two groves of stunning old-growth redwood trees. The hike is about 2 miles, though there are a couple of options to explore a bit further along other walking and horse-riding trails.

Why I like it: The Discovery Trail is ideal for those who are interested in an easily accessible and comfortable walk through a redwood park. Leading the visitor through two redwood groves — Big Hendy and Little Hendy — the trail offers a rich experience with old-growth trees. In addition to its natural beauty, part of Hendy Woods’ charm is its folk legend of the Hendy Hermit, a man known to have lived in the park for many years in the 1960s and 1970s. Hendy Woods provides a gentle respite for forest enthusiasts in Mendocino County.

More information on the park

Photo: *clairity*, Flickr Creative Commons

Featured Photo

A frog poses in Fern Canyon in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. Fog and moisture in redwood forests protect permeable-skinned amphibians, while the abundant standing and downed thick-barked trees provide niches in which they can find food and shelter. Photo: mhaimov, contestant in our Walk Among Giants Online Photo Contest on Flickr

Featured Favorite Redwood Memory

"I remember a tiny redwood sprout that I bought in the Muir Woods gift shop in 1970. I kept it as a bonsai, holding my breath that it would live. It is now 35 years young, towering at perhaps 100 feet above my garden."

— Lily, member since 2004

PS

Looking for a unique wedding gift? Dedicate a redwood tree or grove. Now is a great time to view trees and groves. Call Megan Ferreira at (888) 836-0005 for more information.