It Takes a Forest ℠

Photo by Paolo Vescia

A Prescription for Parks

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“It is a scientific fact that the occasional contemplation of natural scenes of an impressive character, particularly if this contemplation occurs in connection with relief from ordinary cares, change of air and change of habits, is favorable to the health …

Mountain lion. All photos courtesy of our partners, Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) and Sempervirens Fund

Camera Traps: Windows into Wild Lives

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Over the past few months here at the League we have been inspired by photos captured of wildlife on the CEMEX Redwoods property in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Motion-activated wildlife cameras called “camera traps” are set up throughout the property, …

It’s part of my job to walk our conservation easement properties at least once a year to keep an eye on things.

Conservation Easements, Part 2: Monitoring and Enforcement

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Last month, I explained the nuts and bolts of conservation easements, a super important tool in land conservation and one that we at Save the Redwoods League use often. This month, you can learn about what happens next: monitoring and …

The PORTS program connects students to their state parks through videos and interviews with a park ranger. Photo courtesy of California State Parks.

Visit a Redwood Forest… from Your Classroom!

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When students learn about a threatened plant, animal or environmental community, their desire to help often kicks in. They contribute to the cause by writing letters, raising money, and educating others about the issue. Once raised, their awareness can last …

Left, Cape Vizcaino in 1947, with meadows clearly visible. Right, the present view, with trees encroaching heavily.

Burning Cape Vizcaino

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The view from the picnic table was grand to be sure, the blue infinities of sea and sky meeting where the distant fog gathered offshore (and coastal fog, when you think about it, really is the perfect blend of the …

: It’s easy to see how tanoak mortality from sudden oak death can have effects on the whole forest community. This photo was taken in Marin County, CA. Image by the USFS Region 5, Flickr Creative Commons.

Sudden oak death is plaguing California forests

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Last week, Deborah Zierten introduced us to sudden oak death, a nasty fungal disease (known in scientific circles as Phytopthera ramorum) that is causing the widespread  decline and death of tanoak, one of the most common tree species found in …

Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park is stunning and secluded. Photo by David Baselt.

Redwood Resolutions

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It’s a brand new year, and with it comes the inevitable New Year’s resolutions. Like many people, I plan to eat a healthier diet and exercise more (sure, and let’s see how long I last!). Besides those, here are some …

My “Best of” List for 2013

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As 2013 comes to a close, it’s that time again for the “best of” lists to come out.  You know—the best movies of the year, the best music, etc. Since I started my job here at Save the Redwoods League …

Knowing Nature: The Best Gift Ever

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This is a joyous and peaceful time of year, whatever your belief system. It is a time when the world seems to collectively pause and remember what is truly important, whether family and friends, health and peace, or places of …

The Future of Redwood Conservation

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Much has been said about the importance of old-growth redwood forests. Their superlative beauty, their mind-bending longevity, their capacity to sequester carbon, and their ability to inspire peace, awe, and contemplation are all reasons why our commitment to their protection …

Photo courtesy of Vida Verde

Exploring a Redwood Forest with Kids

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A few weeks ago I traveled an hour south of San Francisco to the town of San Gregorio to observe a group of fifth graders from Oakland begin their adventure at an outdoor education center, Vida Verde. During this visit …

Conservation easements can permanently protect privately-owned properties like this one. Photo by Paolo Vescia.

What IS a Conservation Easement, Anyway?

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Conservation easements are an incredibly important tool we use to help protect land. They can be confusing to understand, so my next few blogs will focus on different aspects of conservation easements to explain the concept and show why land …

Save the Redwoods ladies, 1918. Photo courtesy of Humboldt Historical Society.

How Did the League Help Start the State Parks System?

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With California State Parks’ 150th anniversary just around the corner, it seems like a good time to reflect on the League’s role in shaping State Parks and to look back at our shared history. Since its inception in 1918, the …

A trail camera captured this beautiful mountain lion as it roamed the CEMEX property.

Thankful for New Discoveries, Mountain Lions and More

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Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and I sure have a lot to be grateful for this year.  Our work at the League has never been more diverse or more important; and more than anything, I am thankful to have the opportunity to …

Charles Clarke visits Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park with Sharon Rabichow, League Major and Planned Gifts Associate, to dedicate the Ella S. Clarke Memorial Grove in 2009.

Happy Thanksgiving! I’m Thankful for Our Members

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Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays.  Not only is it a day spent with family and great food, but it also provides an opportunity to reflect on the year and express our gratitude. November marks my  seventh anniversary working …

You can be a scientist and help redwoods, too! Image © Save the Redwoods League

You Too Can Be A Scientist – Join Redwood Watch Today

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Did you ever want to be a scientist but think it’s just for professionals?  Love the redwoods but don’t know how to help?  Lucky for you, the League has a project that can solve both these problems. As part of …

Deliberate burning as a restoration tool. Images by Leonel Arguello, National Park Service

Burning as a Restoration Tool

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Last week, the sky around the Bald Hills area of Redwood National Park was hazy beyond the normal shroud of fog.  Smoke filled the air.  The forest was burning.  Water trucks stood at the ready, fire crews and park staff …

Photo by Julie Martin

It’s About the Children!

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There are so many reasons to move State Parks forward.  For me, the first reason is for our children. Remember how much fun you had in the forest as a child?  I recall digging for bugs in the dirt at …

What Do These Commonly-Used Words Really Mean?

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Today is World Dictionary Day, and in honor of that I’d like to discuss a few words that are used a lot in our conservation science work.  They are: Precision, Accuracy, and Bias.  These may seem familiar, but they have …

The Coastal Trail, Last Chance section, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park. Photo by David Baselt

Do You Want to Move State Parks Forward?

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Save the Redwoods League does. In this fast-changing world, we either move forward or we are left behind. California’s state parks house some of the world’s most treasured natural resources, including large portions of our beloved redwood forest.  We visit …