Restoration Archives

Redwoods Rising Botany Apprentices take a break at an overlook of Redwood Creek in the Bald Hills area of the park. Photo by Len Mazur

Redwoods Rising Apprentices Help Restore Redwood National and State Parks

by Save the Redwoods League on August 20, 2018

Redwoods take thousands of years to grow, and as we look to the future, we recognize the importance of training the next generation of conservation leaders to continue caring for these forests. That’s why we started an apprentice program this summer. Meet the Redwoods Rising apprentices who gained hands-on field experience as they helped us study and restore the historically logged lands within Redwood National and State Parks.

A wheelchair-accessible trail leads to the enormous Grizzly Giant tree. Photo by Paul Ringgold.

Restored Mariposa Grove Offers an Unforgettable Experience

by Dana Viloria on June 29, 2018

The iconic Mariposa Grove in Yosemite National Park recently reopened to the public after a major restoration, thanks in part to Save the Redwoods League.

Two panoramic photos comparing conditions in an old growth forest(top) and a neighboring second growth forest(bottom) in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. Redwoods in the second growth forest suffer from high competition and lack the fully develop canopies seen in the old growth forest. The large multilayered canopy of an old growth redwood allows these trees to grow so large and provide critical habitat for wildlife. Photo by Andrew Slack, Save the Redwoods League

Save the Redwoods League, National Park Service, and California State Parks Launch Historic Forest Restoration Program, “Redwoods Rising,” on Fri, April 27

by Save the Redwoods League on April 24, 2018

Save the Redwoods League, the National Park Service and California State Parks today announced the kickoff of Redwoods Rising, a collaborative effort to restore the historically logged redwood forest within Redwood National and State Parks.

Update on the Long-Awaited Pfeiffer Falls Trail

by Madeleine Turner on January 22, 2018

After a tumultuous decade for Big Sur, we can expect a new Pfeiffer Falls Trail in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park to reopen in early 2019, thanks to our funding partners and lots of hard, sweaty work.

Christina Jaromay in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park.

Christina Jaromay Strengthens Parks through Lasting Partnerships

by Glen Martin on November 21, 2017

As the Chief of the California State Parks Partnership Office, Christina Jaromay’s primary challenge is figuring out connections: how to make new ones and strengthen old ones. The long-standing partnership between Save the Redwoods League and California State Parks is one such relationship Jaromay oversees.

A firefighter protects a park sign and supporting crews contain the fire within a narrow strip under an old growth canopy on the edge of the prairie.

Why is fire used to manage redwood forests?

by Andrew Slack on October 3, 2017

Fire is a natural part of the environment and benefits many forests. Prescribed fires have long been used to encourage growth of beneficial and native plant species and reduce the amount of combustible vegetation that could fuel catastrophic wildfires. Thousands of prescribed fires are carried out across the country every year, and they are integral to forest restoration and stewardship.

Notes from the North: Crossing the Bridge

by Andrew Slack on March 7, 2017

Bob grinned as he confirmed to us that in fact, we would be crossing the bridge. “Weren’t you warned? It’s the only way across. Move slow, stay on the left, and you’ll be fine.” After Bob climbed onto the first plank, his dogs jumped past him and trotted fearlessly across the bridge. We followed and separated ourselves to ease the stress on the old cables and limit any swaying. The milky-emerald water of the Mattole River rushed below, overflowing from recent storms.

Fire-suppressed sequoia grove – note the large fire scar on the giant sequoia on the right.

Managing for Fire

by Anthony Castaños on February 7, 2017

Through thoughtful stewardship practices, the ways we seek to emulate aspects of the natural state of the forest can also work in conjunction with how we manage forestland into the future.

Panorama of a prescribed fire at Boyes Prairie in Prairie Creek Redwood State Park. The three panels show immediately before, during, and after the fire.

Prescribed Fire and Coast Redwood Prairies

by Andrew Slack on December 6, 2016

During a brief burn window in October, crews from California State Parks and the National Park Service diligently worked to restore the natural process of fire to various ecosystems in over 2,800 acres of Redwood National and State Parks.

Westfall Ranch’s 77 acres include a stunning second-growth redwood forest.

Westfall Ranch: Enhancing the Ancient Headwaters Forest

by Sam Hodder on February 18, 2016

In the scenic redwoods country near Eureka, California, lies Headwaters Forest Reserve. You might remember Headwaters as the subject of a very contentious, very public, decade-long struggle in the 1990s to protect ancient redwoods from continued logging. When you walk among its massive, moss-draped giants, it’s easy to see why so many people fought so hard for their preservation.

Wildlife at Cape Vizcaino

by Deborah Zierten on October 16, 2015

For the past few years the League has been actively restoring our Cape Vizcaino property along the wild and beautiful Mendocino coast. Our wildlife cameras have captured pictures of deer, foxes, coyotes, mountain lions and even bears.

Redwood Research Proposals Wanted

by Emily Burns on August 4, 2015

Save the Redwoods League uses redwood science to guide our conservation work and we are ready to invest in new studies that will help us save the redwoods. Since 1997, we have supported redwood and giant sequoia forest research on …

This drawing shows how the upgraded Mariposa Grove trails will protect sensitive giant sequoia habitat while still giving visitors the amazing views of the forest. Image courtesy of the Yosemite Conservancy.

Restoring Mariposa Grove

by Emily Burns on February 27, 2015

The towering giant sequoias of Yosemite National Park are the iconic trees that catalyzed our Nation’s conservation movement, inspiring Congress in 1864 to designate both the Mariposa Grove and Yosemite Valley “for public use, resort, and recreation”. Today, these mammoth …