Off the Beaten Path

The Betsy and Larry Alver Grove Dedication

A Grove of Creativity

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We have gathered in Butano State Park for the dedication of the Betsy and Larry Alver Family Grove and are observing a moment of silence. When we are truly quiet, Betsy asks, what do we hear?

Twisted redwood bark. Photo by Patricia VanEyll

Redwoods in the Rain: Exploring Henry Cowell State Park

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There are those who have been grousing about how much rain we have gotten the last few months, but after witnessing the verdant grass languish under the Golden State sun last summer, I am grateful for it. Because of my affinity for rain, the promise of another rain shower after weeks of nearly constant rain didn’t dissuade my husband and me from continuing with our plans to visit Henry Cowell State Park.

Take the City Nature Challenge

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Do you like getting out into nature? Are you a competitive person? Do you enjoy taking pictures of plants and wildlife? Well, if you answered “yes” to any of the questions above, then we have an event for you.

Butano State Park. Photo by Patricia VanEyll

A First Encounter with Redwood Grandeur

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Our first redwood outing was to Butano State Park, which is a 4,600-acre park located in Pescadero. We chose this park due to its proximity to Hwy. 1 so that after our hike, we could drive up the coast to Pacifica to have dinner, thereby making a full day of our adventure.

Photo by Alana Featherly, SFSU student blogger

Student Perspectives: Escape the Tension of Everyday Life in the Redwoods

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Standing beside a massive tree that makes you look like an ant, instantly leaves you and your challenges feeling humbled. As you ponder in awe at their mysterious beauty and magnificence, you feel the weight of your worries lessen, and you can breathe deeply, taking in the soft, refreshing peace in the air.

Pioneer Cabin Tree. Photo by Wayne Hsieh, Flickr Creative Commons

Historic ‘Tunnel Tree’ Falls in Storm

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We lost an iconic ‘tunnel tree’ on Sunday as mother nature took down the over 1,000-year-old Pioneer Cabin Tree in Calaveras Big Trees State Park. This tree, made famous for the car-sized tunnel through its trunk, toppled over during the heavy storms that swept through California over the weekend. The Pioneer Cabin Tree and surrounding park, have a rich story to share — one that catalyzed the conservation movement in the U.S., where giant sequoia were first discovered.

Thank you for Spending Green Friday Outdoors with Us

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Last month, Save the Redwoods League kicked off the holiday season – and a new Thanksgiving tradition – with a walk in the park with 35,000 friends. Save the Redwoods League and our Green Friday partners, California State Parks (external …

"Lost Man Creek" by Spencer Finch. Photo by Inhabitat, Flickr Creative Commons

Experience Redwoods in Downtown Brooklyn

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For a limited time, a new art installation in Brooklyn offers New Yorkers another way to experience the scale of redwood trees. “Lost Man Creek” by Spencer Finch, an American artist who channels his impressions of the natural world into his art, recreated a living model of an important forested watershed in Redwood National Park.

Join Us Outdoors on Green Friday

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Back by popular demand and a continued craving to make Black Friday “green,” this new holiday tradition offers everyone the opportunity to experience California’s parks and enjoy the outdoors with friends and family. To celebrate and raise awareness for these incredible outdoor spaces, we’re co-sponsoring free park passes, good for day-use admission to 116 parks throughout the state on Green Friday, November 25th.

Photo courtesy of Eureka Times Standard.

Redwood NP scenic road opens to hikers, bikers, pets

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The Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway in northern Humboldt County, which is compared to the Avenue of the Giants for sheer redwood beauty, is now closed the first Saturday of each month to motorized traffic until May. Park rangers invite …

Dark forest. Photo by (matt), Flickr Creative Commons

Spooky Family Fun in the Redwoods

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Halloween is the perfect time of year for discovering new events and activities that the whole family can enjoy. If you’re looking to do more together than just trick-or-treating, how about seeking out some family fun in the redwoods?

Monster tree. Photo courtesy of Redwoods.info

Monsters and Ghosts Await in the Northern Redwoods

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They are beautiful, inspiring and majestic, right? Not all of them. Hidden in the darkest recesses of both forests lurk some of the creepiest trees on the planet, awaiting those brave enough to disturb them during the Halloween season.

Redwoods photo by David Baselt

How to Take Great Photos in the Redwoods

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The first rule of nature photography is to take in the scenery before you begin snapping shots willy-nilly. This will give you a feel for the scenes you want to capture. Once you have an idea of a few photos you’d like to get, set up for them and take your time with each one. The intention behind your images will show through when you get home to view them.

Watch: Songs of the Sequoias

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From July 7 – 18, 2016, in the San Francisco Botanical Garden in Golden Gate Park, Sunset Pianos planted twelve pianos as part of the “Flower Piano” series. Hundreds of musicians took their cues from San Francisco’s original giants at the piano nestled into the amphitheater of the redwood grove.

Photo courtesy of Latino Outdoors

Pokémon GO does Latino Conservation Week

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Initiatives like Latino Conservation Week aim to engage Latino communities in public lands, create opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, break down barriers, and become allies in defending our natural places. So cue Pokémon GO: this app is integrating technology with nature. Within its first week the much anticipated Pokémon GO App has become a must have for die-hard fans and new Pokémon enthusiasts alike.

Student Perspectives: Why Big Places Need Small People

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I think it would be safe to assume that most everyone can enjoy a peaceful walk in the woods. Whether you are 8, 18 or 80, no one can deny the staggering beauty of giant trunks rising into a canopy of green. Mount Tamalpais State Park is one of these unique places, home to breathtaking redwood groves. It towers above the bay just north of San Francisco in Marin County. Unfortunately, places like Mount Tam aren’t always accessible to people and families of lower income and limited resources. So what can we do to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to experience this place?

Join the Great American Backyard Campout

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Join us this Saturday as we spend the afternoon at Oakland’s Joaquin Miller Park, hiking and camping among the redwoods. League staff will lead a hike through the forest to talk about the state of the redwoods and how we need the public of all ages to help us monitor these amazing beauties.

Last-Minute Summer Camping Guide

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A group searching for a summer weekend campsite at the last minute is common, says Anderson. And scoring that weekend is far from impossible, with the right approach. Here’s how to squeeze in that spontaneous weekend trip to your favorite park.

Photo credit Latino Outdoors

Encontrando Mi Parque

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My journey exploring our public lands and the outdoors coincided with my journey inward, exploring my cultural identity. And as those paths intertwined, I came to realize that when we learn to feel a sense of ownership and responsibility for both our natural and cultural spaces, we have richer, fuller, and more empowering experiences.

Student Perspectives: Keep Cool and Save the Redwoods

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We go through our lives doing similar things day after day. We wake up and check our phones, and then we go to school or work, and finally, finish our day running errands or relaxing. But there is one HUGE thing that most people don’t even see or realize is right in our backyard: There are redwood trees that we sometimes take for granted and might not really think about visiting.