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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.

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.

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.

Photo by Paolo Vescia

New Lost Coast Trail Extension Now Open

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The Lost Coast lends itself to adventure like nowhere else in California. As you explore this stunningly beautiful, remote expanse of coastal bluffs and forests, a true sense of discovery takes hold – it feels wonderfully wild and unchanged. With 100 miles of almost completely roadless beauty, this is the longest stretch of undeveloped coastline left in California. Small wonder that the spectacular trail that winds along the Lost Coast is a top-tier, bucket-list adventure for all who love to get into the wild. And now that trail is even better!

Kyle Da Silva, League Redwoods Reporter. Photo by Ella Teevan

The Understory

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In the tangle of our wireless world we are more connected than ever before. It’s puzzling, then, how distant we now find ourselves from the natural environment. While our world migrates into the cloud, the Redwoods Reporter series will keep a pair of boots on the trail with educators, adventurers, foresters, chefs, doctors, artists and scientists who are called back by the redwood forests.

Giant sequoias in the snow. Photo by divwerf, Flickr Creative Commons

Join Me for a Snowy Sequoia Adventure

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We here in California are all pretty relieved by the rain and snow we have received this winter. Our plants are starting to bounce back, we can go skiing again, and our shoes are actually getting muddy when we hike …

Roy’s Redwoods Open Space Preserve

16 Amazing Redwood Escapes near San Francisco

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If you’re like so many San Francisco Bay Area residents, nearby Muir Woods National Monument is your go-to place for a redwood-forest experience. But did you know about these 16 redwood parks within a one-hour drive of San Francisco?

League volunteers planting redwood seedlings.

Spend MLK Day Giving Back and Connecting with Nature

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Monday, January 18, is the federal holiday marking the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. Thinking about all the good that King contributed in his lifetime – his advancement of civil rights, his moving words, his doctrine of peaceful change – you may be inspired to give back as well. If you’re interested in participating in the MLK Day of Service (#MLKDay) on Monday, you can give back while spending time in nature!

Life Hack: Fun Hiking Game for Kids

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Hiking with kids can sometimes feel like a forced march, we’ve all experienced kids complaining about walking for walking’s sake. Obviously, the best remedy for reluctant young hikers is regular doses of candy, but the next best remedy is also super fun and does not contribute to cavities! This is a nature color game that is a trade secret of environmental educators and is really easy to play.

How My Family Backpacking Dream Came True (And Yours Can, Too)

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I can think of no wilder adventure than spending a week exploring the Yosemite backcountry with three teenage boys. With my oldest son heading into his final year of high school, I decided to go all out this summer in search of a truly epic, life-changing, never-to-forget experience that my sons and I could share.

Enjoy summer’s sun-dappled trails, like this one in Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve. Photo by Julie Martin

How to Have the Best Summer Ever

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Life is already too short to waste on speed. I have a friend who’s always in a hurry; he never gets anywhere. Walking makes the world much bigger and thus more interesting. You have time to observe the details. – …

Building a Trail in Paradise

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You’re closer to discovering our remote Shady Dell forest, home of the candelabra-shaped redwoods. Construction of the 2.3-mile trail will begin on June 15, 2015! The trail will feature about 50 feet of boardwalk, 231 steps, 30 feet of bridge, six interpretive signs, benches and a parking area. Construction is tentatively scheduled for completion by summer 2016.

Top 3 Bay Area Redwood Parks You’ve Never Heard Of

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It’s almost summertime, which means it’s time to get outside and see the redwoods! One of the best things about living in the Bay Area is easy access to redwood forests. But Muir Woods and other renowned protected spaces are …

Home of two breathtaking ancient redwood forests, Hendy Woods State Park will mark the grand reopening of its day-use Area on June 28, 2015.

Celebrate Reopening of Day-Use Area

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New amenities help you enjoy Hendy Woods even more with friends, families Your New Gateway to Ancient Giants You and your friends and families are invited to enjoy the improvements your donations made possible at the Hendy Woods State Park …

Photo by Wayne Hsieh

Connecting Cultural and Natural History at Fort Ross

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There is a park along the Sonoma Coast that looks out over the Pacific Ocean on one side and peers up at a fog-blanketed redwood forest on the other. This park is known for its rich local cultural history, but …

Cathedral Grove at Muir Woods National Monument. Photo credit: Tonatiuh Trejo-Cantwell

Establishing Muir Woods National Monument

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“Whatever occupation man may follow, there is planted within him a need of nature, calling gently at him at times to come and enjoy, imperiously commanding at other times to seek recuperation and strength.” — William Kent Have you ever …

No matter what your age, spending time among the redwoods can be a rewarding experience. Photo by Paolo Vescia

Enjoying the Redwoods at Every Age

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Through this blog I often write about my experiences with youths in the redwoods. I love seeing the expressions on kids’ faces when they see a banana slug, find a tiny redwood cone, or see a tall redwood tree for …