It was six months into the pandemic—a bizarre time that seemed out of a sci-fi movie. Like real life, the trails have their ups and downs (literally!). The redwood forests were our sanctuary. Walking among the giants at Henry Cowell, Mount Tamalpais, and Humboldt Redwoods state parks gave us perspective and humility.
Everyone who has ever walked among the coast redwoods and giant sequoia remembers the first time they saw these incredible forests.
Join us as we dive into the mysterious world of what lives under a rock. From hundreds of ants, to slimy worms and black spiders to jumping grasshoppers, you can discover a lot if you just know the right place to look.
Anyone can be a scientist. All it takes is to make observations, ask some questions and create an experiment. After reading this book hopefully you are encouraged to think like a scientist as well.
Durante generaciones, niños y niñas de todas las edades han disfrutado del libro de Shel Silverstein, “El árbol generoso”. Esta lectura fue elegida por ser una tierna y conmovedora historia que nos enseña muchas lecciones sobre nuestra conexión con los árboles.
For generations, kids of all ages have enjoyed Shel Silverstein’s book, “The Giving Tree.” Deborah chose this book specifically because it’s both fun and teaches a lot of great lessons about our relationship with the trees around us.
Feels like we could all use the peace and healing of the redwoods, so here’s a short video of our most spectacular landscapes. With a reminder that these are places where everyone belongs.
The Stagg Tree is the fifth largest known tree in the world, centuries old. The League acquired this great tree as part of its recent acquisition of Alder Creek. At eye level, it has so many scars on its trunk from fire and weather that it’s hard to imagine what the original tree looked like. At some point, fire got through the bark of this massive tree and carved out a tunnel that now stands as some kind of flying buttress. But the tree lives on, growing wider and taller.
Your kids will enjoy this great reading of Redwoods, by Jason Chin, narrated by Deborah Zierten, the League’s Education & Interpretation Manager.
The League’s Marcos Castineiras put together this mellow Spotify playlist that nicely captures the feeling of a morning in the redwoods. Hit play and you can almost feel the dappled sunlight coming through the canopy.
We interview the interpreters who are keeping people connected to the outdoors during the COVID-19 crisis. The League’s Dana Poblete jumped on a Zoom video call with two of these interpreters – Ryan Spencer at Humboldt Redwoods State Park and Angie Edmunds at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park – to learn more about this terrific program.
Giant Tree in the Rockefeller Loop of Humboldt Redwoods State Park is not the biggest or the tallest, but it might be the most coast redwood-ish. And that’s probably why it got its designation from the American Forestry Association as the National Champion Coast Redwood in 1991.
Meet the tree that refuses to give in. Lots of people pose for pictures in front of – and inside – the Chimney Tree. It wears its damage proudly.
Before you go sprinting into another crazy day, take a moment to experience the giant sequoia. Follow along on with us on a relaxing tour of a giant sequoia forest, in this new addition to our Redwoods Recharge collection of calming videos.
Spring migration brings many opportunities to spot some of the coolest birds of the coast redwood and giant sequoia forests. Keep an eye out for some of our favorites below—in your backyard, on your neighborhood walks, or in the forests if you’re lucky enough to have access to them.
Learn how you can take advantage of the spring’s new redwood needles to flavor delicious shortbread cookies. C’mon, set aside your sourdough starter and give it a try.
The General Sherman Tree is about 2,000 years old and is a giant among giants. Considered the world’s largest tree, measured by volume, it stands 275 feet tall. In a world full of threats and challenges, it has planted its roots and set its defenses. It is strong and ready.
Allegra Krasznekewicz, League councilor, put together this week’s great playlist.
Few trees exemplify strength and perseverance more than the 1,640-year-old McApin Tree on the League’s Harold Richardson Redwoods Reserve.
I’m always amazed each time I bear witness to California’s natural landscapes, and this time, on the 300 or so miles driving from San Francisco to the ancient forests of the North Coast, I’m smitten again.
