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A closeup of the front half of a mottled brown salamander

Protecting a sensitive salamander

by Juliet Grable on

Near the jade waters of the Smith River in Redwood National and State Parks is the habitat of a small amphibian species that may depend on redwood forests as its environment changes. The southern torrent salamander (Rhyacotriton variegatus) seeks clear, …

Three people walking through a forest of giant redwoods on a trail lined with tall ferns.

7 awesome backpacking trips in the redwoods

by Save the Redwoods League on

Day hikes are one way to experience the awe of California’s coast redwood and giant sequoia forests, but there’s nothing like the immersive experience of backpacking in these places. Carrying everything you’ll need allows you to reach parts of the …

Two people stand beside a redwood shaped like a candelabra

10 of the strangest trees in the redwoods

by Save the Redwoods League on

A redwood forest typically includes tree after towering, straight tree, an expanse of magnificent columnar trunks reaching skyward. But there are odd redwoods out there. Here are some brow-raising examples.

Snow lies around red flowers will broad, mottled leaves.

8 early blooms herald spring’s approach

by Save the Redwoods League on

Spring doesn’t start until March 20, but that doesn’t stop the blooms in the coast redwood forests, even in the recent, unusual snow. Look out for these beauties, blooming now and in the coming months. Western trillium Milkmaid Redwood sorrel …

A brown and white owl perches on a branch.

How to bar barred owls

by Juliet Grable on

Barred owls and northern spotted owls have a lot in common: Both are brown-and-white owls; both are denizens of mature forests. The spotted owl hoots a four-note call, while the slightly larger barred owl hoots, “Who cooks for you?!” But …

A smiling person shown from chest up in a redwood forest.

‘An amazing life experience’: Volunteering at Grove of Titans

by Doug Kerr on

One of John Muir’s famous quotes is “The mountains are calling, and I must go.”  For me, the redwoods are calling, and I must go. I am an active Titaneer volunteer working the Grove of Titans trail in Jedediah Smith …

The front half of a dark salamander is shown against a bright green background.

9 weird plants and animals of redwood forests

by Save the Redwoods League on

Coast redwood forests and giant sequoia groves are famous for their iconic beauty, but lesser known are the peculiar wonders they harbor. Here are a handful.

An illustration showing the layers beneath the bark of a redwood tree: phloem, cambium, sapwood, and heartwood.

What lies beneath: Anatomy of redwoods

by Save the Redwoods League on

Under the bark of coast redwoods and giant sequoias are many layers, each with an important job in the growth and protection of the tree. Bark – the outer layer of the tree, the bark, protects the tree from damage …

Three snow-covered giant sequoias on a sunny winter day.

7 ideas for winter fun among giant sequoias

by Save the Redwoods League on

Everyone should have a chance to experience the magic of snow-draped sequoia, and this year, conditions are perfect. There’s plenty of snow and plenty of ways to get out and enjoy it. So if you’re craving a day in the forest, here are some ideas for where to go and what to do when the snow falls.

A fallen tree on a footbridge

Storms close redwood parks throughout California

by Jennifer Charney on

The series of storms hammering the West Coast in recent days have prompted the closure of redwood parks throughout the range. While heavy wind and rain have certainly reduced interest in outdoor recreation, people’s love of the redwoods runs high, …

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