Service Reductions at Redwood Parks

In the wake of the California state budget crisis, California State Parks (CSP) started on November 1 to reduce services at 60 parks, including more than 20 redwood parks. This service reduction allows parks to stay open and saves $14.2 million in the fiscal year through June 30, 2010. The changes, made according to park visitation, include reduction of some hours and days of operation and closure of some camping and day-use areas. Contact the redwood park you want to visit for details using our new, interactive map of redwood regions, or visit the CSP Web site. You may also support parks by making a gift to the League. Donate now. Photo: Christopher Schroeer-Heiermann

Reminder: Support New Parks Ballot Initiative

In response to service reductions and backlogged maintenance at California state parks, Save the Redwoods League and partners need your help to put a parks funding proposal on the 2010 ballot. Please help us gather signatures and show your support for this measure, the California State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund Act of 2010. Learn more.

Help Safeguard a Sonoma Redwoods Jewel

Save the Redwoods League needs to raise $250,000 this year to ensure that we are able to buy, hold and help create a long-term management plan for a spectacular 871-acre property in Sonoma County. We partnered with Pacific Forest Trust (PFT) to purchase this Stewarts Point parcel according to our science-based master plan. Rich with redwood, Bishop pine and Douglas-fir forests, the land features abundant wildlife, stunning coastal bluffs and salmon habitat. The plan is for PFT to manage the property as a working model of forest stewardship that sustains wood, water, wildlife and our climate. Learn more.

1,100 acres of redwood forestlands protected in 2008-9

With our members’ and partners’ generous support in fiscal year 2008-9, Save the Redwoods League protected more than 1,100 acres of key redwood forestlands valued at $8 million, and transferred 831 acres to state or national parks or reserves. Our work continued as a world leader in accelerating restoration of the logged Mill Creek forest to a majestic state, and developing a strategy to help redwoods survive rapid climate change. We also fostered future redwoods stewards by awarding 37 grants that helped 63,000 children and adults experience and want to protect redwoods. These accomplishments would not have been possible without the generosity of our members and partners. Read more about our work in our annual report.

For the Holidays, Give the Gift That Grows!

Have a redwood seedling planted in one of California's redwood parks in honor of an individual or organization or in memory of a loved one. A seedling will be planted for each $50 donation, and your gift will support our reforestation program. Order using our secure online form.

Dedicate a redwood grove or tree through a gift to Save the Redwoods League. This unique and memorable holiday gift helps preserve the beauty of the redwoods, while setting aside a special place in this unique forest where you and your loved ones may enjoy the trees, rivers and wildlife. Please visit our Web site for more information or contact Megan Ferreira by e-mail or by phone at (415) 820-5809 to discuss how you can share the gift of the forest with friends and family this holiday season.

Send a free redwoods holiday e-card!

Board of Directors Member Honored for Forestry Work

The California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection last month honored William J. Libby, League Board of Directors member, with its highest honor, the Francis H. Raymond Award for Outstanding Contributions to California Forestry. Libby, a forestry consultant and Professor Emeritus of Forestry and Genetics at the University of California, Berkeley, has served on the League’s Board of Directors since 2004. He’s been on the League’s Board of Councillors since 1990.

Favorite Redwood Hike: North Grove Trail, Calaveras Big Trees State Park, Calaveras County

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

Name and Title: Rona Kardener, HR and Operations Manager

Trailhead: The North Grove Trail, which starts near the visitor center, is a good introduction to the spectacular giant sequoias (pictured; also called “Sierra redwoods”). These are the largest trees by volume on Earth. They can grow to more than 250 feet tall (about as tall as a 25-story building), with a diameter up to 30 feet.

Difficulty/Distance: Easy; 1.5 miles.

Why I like it: I love the North Grove Trail because it feels like being in an enchanted forest—especially in autumn when the giant sequoias are framed by a jewel-toned backdrop of bright gold and crimson dogwoods. Beyond the grove’s sheer beauty, I like that the trail guide and markers create an integrated experience of these incredible giant sentinels. You learn about the sequoia’s unique ecology and about California state history told in a way that illuminates the relationship between the trees and California’s settlers. Lastly, I like that the park is so accessible—only 2.5 hours’ drive from the San Francisco Bay Area.

Snow: Call the park at (209) 795-3840 or (209) 795-2334 to check on conditions for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. You may need tire chains, too.

More information on the park
See this park on our new, interactive map

Photo: dfb, Flickr Creative Commons

Featured Photo

Leaves of the dawn redwood turn color and fall off in autumn, unlike those of the giant sequoia and coast redwood. Photo: J.G. in S.F., Flickr Creative Commons. Learn more about the dawn redwood.

Featured Favorite Redwood Memory

"I like to grow sequoia and redwood trees from cuttings or seedlings. Those here in the San Juan Islands in Washington are 27 years old and a foot thick at the base.  Since I have raised mine, I can spot these in other folks’ yards at a moment’s notice.  They warm my heart."

— Grace, member since 1997

PS

• Members, if you haven’t RSVP’d to your invitation to the November 12, 2009, Save the Redwoods League reception in San Francisco, please call (415) 820-5800 or e-mail membership@SaveTheRedwoods.org. To thank our members for their support, we will serve appetizers and beverages from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Marines’ Memorial Club and Hotel.
• Scientists: Apply for a redwoods research grant by November 13.
• Tomi Pulliam of Shoreline, Washington, visited our booth at the Humboldt Redwoods Marathon last month in Humboldt Redwoods State Park. There, she won our raffle for a 2-foot-by-6-foot print of an entire redwood tree, part of which is on the October 2009 cover of National Geographic magazine. Congrats, Tomi!
• If you missed our free showings of National Geographic Channel’s Explorer: Climbing Redwood Giants, you may buy the DVD. Invite friends over to watch the DVD and download our Redwood Transect Bingo Cards to play bingo during the show.