Big Basin Redwoods State Park

Redwood tree rises through the canopy

Top 15 League achievements of 2023

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As we approach the end of 2023, we find ourselves contemplating yet another remarkable year at Save the Redwoods League. Our gratitude extends to our wonderful partners, members, and supporters who make possible the essential efforts of safeguarding and restoring …

Three people look at exhibits

Beacon of renewal: A new welcome center opens

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It’s a spectacular drive heading south from San Francisco on Highway 1, where under an azure sky, the furrowed Santa Cruz Mountains meet the sparkling, blue arc of the Pacific and its craggy sea stacks. In about 60 miles, the …

A ranger standing in front of the new Rancho del Oso Welcome Center - a blue and brown building with interpretive signage in front.

California State Parks, Save the Redwoods League and Waddell Creek Association Open New Rancho del Oso Welcome Center at Big Basin Redwoods State Park

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A gateway to the western coastal side of Big Basin Redwoods State Park, the new welcome center facility and adjacent public campground will greet visitors to California’s oldest state park and largest expanse of old-growth coast redwoods south of San Francisco. The park has had limited access since the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fires.

big basin redwood loop trail

Day One of Big Basin’s new era

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Visiting Big Basin Redwoods State Park on its reopening day. While the newly opened area might seem spare to some, it actually represents a ton of work in a short amount of time. 

A bright green sprout growing from the base of a dark burned tree trunk

Reimagining Big Basin Redwoods

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Post-fire update and images from Big Basin Redwoods State Park, eight months after the CZU Lightning Complex fire

Damaged Big Basin park gatehouse

Donors Worldwide Contribute $543,000 to Big Basin Redwoods State Park Recovery Following 2020 Wildfires

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Save the Redwoods League today announced the completion of the purchase of Cascade Creek, a 564-acre property between Big Basin Redwoods and Año Nuevo State Parks. The $9.6 million project — including both land acquisition, closing and initial stewardship costs — marks a keystone connection for protected habitat from the Santa Cruz Mountains to the Pacific Ocean. It also advances the League’s goal of protecting the last of the old-growth redwood forest as identified in their 2018 Centennial Vision for Redwoods Conservation.

Damage in Big Basin building

Fire Recovery at the Core of New Parks Effort

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The fire at Big Basin Redwoods State Park made headlines around the world, but it was far from the only redwood park to burn. Sadly, each of the parks forced to close by fire had only recently been reopened following the state’s COVID-19 stay-home order.

Redwood forest after the fire

After the fire: Big Basin Redwoods State Park

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It’s been about three months since fire swept through Big Basin Redwoods State Park, and we thought we’d check in on this remarkable coast redwood forest. As we’ve discussed, most of the redwoods will be OK. In the video, you can see the famed Mother of the Forest Tree, charred but still living and surviving. In all, fascinating to see a resilient forest evolve.

Giant sequoia trees at Alder Creek

Resilience of giant sequoia put to the test in the Sierra

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We remain hopeful as SQF Complex Fire moves through Alder Creek “And once the storm is over, you won’t remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won’t even be sure, in fact, whether the storm …

Big Basin nature museum

Fire at Big Basin Redwoods State Park derails nature museum project

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Fire destroyed the Big Basin Redwoods State Park Nature Museum. Work on the project was well underway in the original building when the CZU August Lightning Complex Fire came through the headquarters on Aug. 18, destroying everything.