Drone’s-Eye View of the Orick Mill Site

Orick MillWhen you drive north on Highway 101, just past the small town of Orick, you will begin to marvel at the giant redwoods of Redwood National and State Parks. There is no sign letting you know you have arrived; you just slowly become shaded by the great canopies towering above you.

These four parks (Redwood National Park, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park and Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park) shelter 133,000 acres of amazing landscapes, from the tallest old-growth redwoods in the world to coastal bluffs and crystal-clear forest streams. They house numerous endangered and threatened species as well as bears, elk, mountain lions, foxes and even river otters. There is also a rich cultural history in the area, from the Native Americans’ use of the land to the logging industry and later the conservation movement.

Orick, mill, site, concrete removal, mushrooms,forest, redwood trees, river, Redwood Creek, elk,At the southernmost entrance to the park lies a 125-acre former mill site. This land was purchased by the League in September 2013 in order to protect and restore the property to its former beauty. That process is now underway!

The League is leading restoration work that will help the ecological integrity of the forest, wetlands and riparian areas. We will make sure the meadows are suitable for Roosevelt elk to roam free and that Prairie Creek is a functional waterway to support a healthy population of salmon.

Please note that this property is not yet open to the public. For now, check out the video below (created by Jim Campbell-Spickler and William Goldenberg) to view the amazing scenery, and learn more about the Orick Mill Site.
 
 

About the author

Deborah joined the League's staff in 2013 as the Education & Interpretation Manager. She brings with her extensive experience teaching science, developing curriculum and connecting kids to the natural world.

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