redwood forest

A man and a baby, both wearing knitted caps, sitting on a bench in a giant sequoia forest

11 unique baby names inspired by the redwoods

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Around the League office, a baby on the way is exciting news. So when our land stewardship manager, Anthony Castaños, announced that he and his wife were expecting a wee one, the staff was a-twitter. Should we knit a tiny …

Two men walking into a coast redwood forest

Thank you to our Forever Forest supporters for changing the redwoods’ fate

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The ambitious Forever Forest campaign — now concluded — will fund key initiatives to lay the foundation for a new era of redwoods conservation. Even in the face of an unexpected global pandemic, unprecedented wildfires and climate change impacts, and some of the most divisive social and political times in America’s history, we as a community drew strength, inspiration, and resilience from the redwoods we all love.

Fern Watch volunteers at Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve.

Watching Ferns in the Redwoods for Signs of Climate Change

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The sword fern, one of the most common redwood forest plants, has become prominent in my life over the past few years. This is mostly due to the League’s Fern Watch project, which monitors the health of sword ferns throughout the redwood range. Even though these ferns are common, little is known about their ecology and how they respond to climatic change.

Take the City Nature Challenge

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Do you like getting out into nature? Are you a competitive person? Do you enjoy taking pictures of plants and wildlife? Well, if you answered “yes” to any of the questions above, then we have an event for you.

California condor. Photo by Mike's Birds, Flickr Creative Commons

California Condor to Soar in the Redwoods Once More

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After disappearing from the Pacific Northwest over a century ago, wild California condors may once again find ample nesting, breeding, and foraging habitat in the redwood range.

One year after decommissioning, native plants have grown on a former logging road at Headwaters Forest Reserve. Redwood seedlings were planted as part of the restoration. Photo by Humboldt State University.

Restoring the Forest to Benefit Wildlife, People, Climate

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Protecting the redwood forest isn’t just about preservation — it’s also about restoration. Save the Redwoods League helps restore habitat for wildlife that depends on ancient forests. With your gifts, we also speed development of tomorrow’s beautiful old-growth groves. These groves will help mitigate climate-changing greenhouse gases, and they’ll provide clean water for people and animals.

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?

Orick Mill

Drone’s-Eye View of the Orick Mill Site

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When you drive north on Highway 101, just past the small town of Orick, you will begin to marvel at the giant redwoods of Redwood National and State Parks. There is no sign letting you know you have arrived; you just slowly become shaded by the great canopies towering above you.

coast redwoods

Soberanes Fire Burns in the Redwood Region

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At the time of writing, the Soberanes Fire has burned over 60,000 acres in Monterey County and is about 45% contained. The fire area covers much of Garrapata State Park, a scenic and rugged redwoods park at the southern end of the coast redwood range. We don’t yet know whether, or to what extent, the park’s redwood groves are suffering damage; and while the primary concern is for the well-being of nearby human communities, it’s interesting to consider the implications of fires like this in the redwood forest.

The redwood forest inspires the students in our Redwoods and Climate Change High School Program.

Redwood Haikus

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It is well known that the redwoods inspire people in many different ways. Some want to study how the trees and forest function; others hike beneath the branches for exercise, and still others paint and photograph these majestic beauties.

Bird's nest fungus. Photo by pellaea, Flickr Creative Commons.

Fall Rains Bring Forest Mushrooms

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With all these wonderful rainy days the forests are probably bursting at the seams with mushrooms. Some mushrooms, like the bright scarlet waxy cap or the colorful coral fungus, immediately draw your attention as they poke up out of the …

Charles Clarke visits Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park with Sharon Rabichow, League Major and Planned Gifts Associate, to dedicate the Ella S. Clarke Memorial Grove in 2009.

Charles Clarke: First Redwoods Visit After 39 Years of Support

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Generous gifts from longtime League members are vital for our work to protect redwood forests. Charles Clarke, 82, of Sykesville, Maryland, is an example of our extraordinary members. He visited the San Francisco area in 1969 with Ella, his wife, …

Steve Prokop, Superintendent, Redwood National Park

Steve Prokop: Guardian of a Park that Belongs to the World

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Before his appointment in 2013 as Superintendent of Redwood National Park, Steve Prokop supervised Kalaupapa National Historical Park in Hawaii. Most people would consider the two parks greatly dissimilar. Kalaupapa, located on the island of Molokai, is tropical. Its essential …

Your 2015 Accomplishments in Photos

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Thanks to your thoughtful gifts, we have accomplished so much this year! These achievements are a direct reflection of your generosity and support.

Hare Creek rushes past redwoods in Limekiln State Park. League donors’ support recently helped replace a bridge reconnecting the camping area to all of the park’s trails. © Russ Bishop, Alamy Stock Photo

Work Showcases Limekiln, a Big Sur Treasure

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Building upon our founders’ dream of protecting and enhancing redwood parks, the League is now engaged in a wide range of activities — from saving threatened redwood landscapes and restoring forests, to upgrading park amenities, expanding education and interpretative programs, and finding new ways to benefit parks and visitors. One such project is under way at Limekiln State Park.

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.

Allyson Carroll: Decoding History Hidden in Redwoods

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Dendrochronologist Allyson Carroll has decoded centuries of history hidden in giant sequoias and coast redwoods, thanks to the League’s research grants program and our members’ support.

League Councillor Blake Williams shares his enthusiasm for the redwoods with his child. Photo by Paolo Vescia

Blake Williams: Love for Forest Stems from Father’s Work

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Blake Williams inherited his love of the forest from his father, a research entomologist and forester and the first African American in the United States to earn the trifecta of a BA, Masters, and PhD in that research area. “Growing up in Berkeley with that family background, I’ve always been interested in natural resources and forests,” said Williams.