nature

A woman stands at the base of a large coast redwood tree

A guide to nature journaling

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To be a naturalist or an artist—or of course both, like Clay Anderson—requires paying attention; to the world around you and how you respond to it. Nature journaling is one of the ways you can do that.

This Allen's hummingbird was spotted at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. Photo by Ron LeValley.

Grab Your Binoculars: It’s World Migratory Bird Day!

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World Migratory Bird Day is when we celebrate our beautiful feathered friends for everything they contribute to our environment and for the long journeys they take across the globe every year.

T. A. Barron. Photo by Aimee Giese

T. A. Barron Writes of Wonder in the Redwoods

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T. A. Barron, a Councilor for Save the Redwoods League, grew up in rural Colorado, where his connection to nature was immersive and powerful. The lofty peaks, pristine streams, and expansive aspen and spruce forests of the Rocky Mountains constituted …

Janet Jackson Explores Local Redwood Watershed with Inner City Youth

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Jackson does what she can to expand the horizons of her students. Each month she takes three or four students to a regional park for an extended hike. She has also participated in outreach programs sponsored by universities and conservation groups, including Exploring Your Watershed, a Save the Redwoods League project that teaches kids about the linkages between the East Bay’s redwood forests and San Francisco Bay.

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.

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. – …

The Origins of Halloween

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Happy Halloween everyone! Finally, the day has arrived when you get to dress up however you want. Maybe months of planning even went into your costume, your creativity shining through. But did you ever wonder why we celebrate Halloween? Where …

Through the Woods with a Ranger and a Poet

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As inspiring as the redwood forest can be, it is even better when shared. We know the inspirational surge that our favorite redwood places engender; it’s why we keep going back. And it is why we bring our friends there …

Entre Los Gigantes

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Qué maravilla— ¿cómo es que estos gigantes existen? ¿Qué cuentos han de saber y cuantas historias han de conocer? ¿Qué me dirían a este momento? Recalling one of my most memorable experiences among the redwoods at Jedediah Smith Redwoods State …

Nature persists in the paved expanses of the urban jungle. Photo by Luke McGuff, flickr creative commons.

Urban Wilderness: In the Heart of the City, Nature Takes Root

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There is an empty lot just up the hill from Save the Redwoods League’s office in San Francisco. The lot is fenced off, but by peering through the gaps between the slats, it is possible to get a brief glimpse …

The outdoor experiences we have as kids can help us be happier and healthier for our whole lives. Photo by rocket ship, Flickr Creative Commons.

Kids & Nature: Turning Around a Worrisome Trend

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Many of us who love nature have clear memories of meaningful outdoor experiences as children. At the Save the Redwoods League office, if you ask the staff why they chose careers in conservation, you’ll hear story after story about summers …

Hit the trails this Saturday for National Trails Day!

All Our Trails Have to Offer

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This Saturday is National Trails Day®! Whenever I think about hiking on one of the over 200,000 miles of trails we have in the U.S., the lyrics of one of my favorite Ani DiFranco songs pop into my head: When …

Stories from Calaveras Big Trees

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I was at Calaveras Big Trees State Park over the weekend for an event celebrating the grand opening of the new visitor center and commemorating the 150th anniversary of California State Parks. I was there to speak at the event, …

Reconnecting families and future generations to nature is a critical priority. Photo by Paolo Vescia.

Kids in the Redwoods, Part 2

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Last week, I wrote about the value of bringing kids to the redwoods.  A family trip to the redwoods can be such an incredible gift to children, creating lifelong memories and a connection with nature that can improve life in …

Students collected data about the redwoods forest at BioBlitz 2014.

Kids in the Redwoods, Part 1

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Did you hear about the BioBlitz in the Bay Area last week? Scientists, community members, families and school groups converged on Muir Woods and Crissy Field to explore, catalog and discover our local ecology. I was at Muir Woods on …

Change is in the air. Shady Dell photo by Paolo Vescia.

Conservation 2.0

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Happy first day of Spring!  While our thoughts  turn to rebirth and new beginnings of the season, I’m thinking about another kind of new beginning, because conservation as we know it is undergoing some substantial changes. It’s hokey, I know, but …

Knowing Nature: The Best Gift Ever

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This is a joyous and peaceful time of year, whatever your belief system. It is a time when the world seems to collectively pause and remember what is truly important, whether family and friends, health and peace, or places of …

Lions in the Santa Cruz Mountains

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It was close to dusk when we crossed the stream, heading deeper into the forest along an old logging road. We were touring the areas of CEMEX Redwoods where restoration reserves are to be established, assessing conditions and discussing strategies …