Seen Sorrel Cry?
onThey were perfectly placed drops of water on the outer edge of each redwood sorrel (Oxalis oregana) leaflet. At first, I thought that I was just seeing drops of fog that had not yet evaporated. Then, I realized that these …
The Healing Power of Redwoods
on“It is like being in a cathedral.” “Ancient spirits of the Native Americans are still living among the redwoods.” “I always feel healed after a visit to the redwoods.” These are the kinds of emotions many of us experience in …
Humboldt’s Original Skunk Weed
onIt smells a little skunky along the trail. Did a fellow hiker light up a joint ahead of you or it could be a botanical wonder of the coast redwoods and beyond?! Skunk cabbage emerges early in the year in …
A Rare Plant Inhabits the Forest – Or Does It?
onIt was a beautiful day for a hike along Peters Creek. The ancient forest of the Santa Cruz Mountains was in full bloom; chattering woodpeckers, the tumbling creek, giant redwood and Douglas fir trees all begged for acknowledgement and appreciation. …
Searching for the Elusive Marbled Murrelet
onThe League’s Shady Dell property was a busy place on Monday. Armed with binoculars and aerial photo maps, four League staff members were joined by a couple of staff from the Department of Fish and Wildlife and a pair of consultants to search for potential nest sites for the marbled murrelet.
Secret Life of Ferns
onFerns are under-appreciated, despite the fact that as a group they have more than 12,000 species worldwide and their lineage is even older than the redwoods! Maybe I’m a fern nerd (well, no maybe about it actually), but I can’t …
200 Feet Up a Redwood
onHarness cinched. Helmet buckled. Camera and notebook tucked in tightly. Knowing this was one of the last days this spring to collect coast redwood canopy data, we scurried up climbing ropes into the leafy forest canopy of Del Norte County. …
Trillium is toxic!
onHave you ever seen this stunning flower in the redwood forest? It is a Giant Wake Robin, or Trillium chloropetalum, and was recently seen blooming in the Santa Cruz Mountains
Merchants, shipwrecks, and logging Mendocino County – the story of the Frolic
onOn a foggy July night in 1850, the Baltimore clipper Frolic sailed south along the Mendocino coast, bound for San Francisco and its booming economy. The hold of the former opium ship was filled with all the luxuries of the …
Three Northern Forests Paint a Picture of Hope
onI don’t get out to the woods for work nearly enough these days (then again, who does?), but last week was an exception. During a trip to the Northern California forests for some meetings, I was lucky enough to get …
Bay Lights – 1.5 Redwoods Tall
onOutside our office this week the San Francisco Bay Bridge began twinkling with the artistic illumination of 25,000 new LED lights strung along the west span. After dusk, views of the bridge are spectacular as waves of light pulse along 1.8 …
Redwood Sorrel Sun Salutations
onEver wonder why redwood sorrel (Oxalis oregano) leaves appear to wilt in the sun? The leaves fold downwards when sun flecks shine onto patches of this tiny plant that carpets the coast redwood forest floor. This is a protective response …
Trees Bring Us Together
onWorking for Save the Redwoods League is an honor in many ways. We are able to serve our nearly 20,000 members, honor the League’s nearly 100-year history, seek to benefit one of the world’s iconic species and, occasionally, work hand-in-hand …
80 Degrees of Separation
onIf you leave Redwood National Park and journey 80 degrees south you will arrive at the coastal town of Valdivia, Chile. These two areas—equidistant from the equator, north and south—are about to be united through a sister park relationship that …
Heralding Summer’s End among the Redwoods
onAlbee Creek campground in Humboldt Redwoods State Park was full over the Labor Day weekend. Clustered around each fire ring were happy faces enjoying the end of summer and start of fall. Each year for the past four years, I’ve …
Walking in the Shadows
onYesterday, I wandered through Muir Woods National Monument looking up at the redwood canopy on a perfectly warm, late summer afternoon. I didn’t wander alone, I shared the paths with many park visitors, staff and volunteers from the Monument and …
The Olympic-like Competition among Redwoods
onThere’s nothing quite like the image of five Olympic rings to remind me of good old competition! I love the excitement that builds up as the games begin, wondering who will reign supreme. Trees may not be aware of our …