Sign in Join now, it's FREE! Redwood Park Communities is launching its bond campaign with a James Bond-themed event this week in Barrie A bond campaign launch party is set to take place May 8 from 4 to 6 p.m “This fun and sophisticated event will unveil Redwood’s latest community bond initiative offering guests a peek at how these investments are helping create safe hopeful housing in Simcoe County,” Redwood Park Communities stated in an email “The Redwood Community Housing Bond campaign gives local investors a way to earn solid returns while directly supporting housing solutions and enjoy Bond-worthy drinks and bites downtown," the organization said More Spotlight > The Official Guide to Portland Portland has long been synonymous with its scenic outdoor spaces. More than 150 parks dot the city while Forest Park is one of the largest urban parks in the United States Even one of our nicknames — Stumptown — is a nod to the prolific forests that once covered our modern-day city visitors can hike 12 miles (19.3 km) of trails through a curated forest of 6,000 trees from six continents — including 67 species that are considered rare or endangered while you’ll see plenty of Douglas fir (Oregon’s state tree) a small bamboo forest and a weeping beech (whose drooping blooms are so numerous Access to Hoyt Arboretum via SW Tichner Dr. / West Burnside is temporarily closed to vehicle traffic due to a landslide. More details are available on the Portland Bureau of Transportation website If you’re inspired to see the collection up close, here’s a look at the history, top attractions and special events at Hoyt Arboretum — one of Portland’s most iconic attractions For centuries, Hoyt Arboretum was a forested ridgetop covered in Douglas fir, western red cedar, bigleaf maple and other species of trees just west of modern-day downtown Portland. That began to change when a poor farm inspiring Portland Parks Superintendent Emanuel Tillman Mische to champion the creation of an arboretum — essentially a curated garden of trees — on the newly vacant land City planners wanted to build homes and a golf course and it took until 1928 for officials to approve the creation of Hoyt Arboretum Today, Hoyt Arboretum — named for Ralph Warren Hoyt, a Multnomah County commissioner who advocated for the park’s formation — represents roughly 2,300 species of trees and shrubs, much of which can be accessed via interconnected hiking and walking trails Get started at the Hoyt Arboretum Visitor Center public restrooms and recommendations from friendly volunteers to help make the most of your time Enjoy a snack on a few shady picnic tables nearby Note that paid parking is limited around Hoyt Arboretum and at its visitor center, especially on sunny weekends in spring and summer. Consider visiting via TriMet, rideshare or the Washington Park Free Shuttle. One of the best-loved attractions at Hoyt Arboretum is the park’s collection of 70 redwood trees — including coast redwoods (the earliest of which was planted in 1931) giant sequoias and a colorful dawn redwood whose leaves turn copper and yellow in fall Bask in the beauty of these giants from the Redwood Deck an observation area that’s outfitted with a few benches at the northern edge of the arboretum the easiest access to the grove comes via the Fir Trail and the Redwood Trail Every spring and fall Hoyt Arboretum comes alive with vibrant pops of color that signify the changing seasons Spring blooms include flowering Fuji cherry trees — which turn magenta pink and white between mid-March and mid-April along the Wildwood and Hawthorn trails; nearby magnolia trails turn a creamy white in late May and June include the three-petal trillium plant and yellow Oregon grape In fall, colorful foliage covers large swaths of the park in bold hues of orange, yellow and red. The Maple Trail is ground zero for leaf peepers and offers a close-up look at nearly 130 species of maple tree that grow at Hoyt Arboretum. For a different kind of fall experience check out the park’s American smoke wood trees (found near the intersection of the Hawthorn and Wildwood trails) — whose autumn displays bring softer hues of green The perfect launchpad for outdoor activities and adventure with snow-capped mountains forested hikes and beautiful urban gardens Portland has something for every type of outdoor enthusiast it’s only fitting that some of the top attractions are spots that appeal to home gardeners and hikers alike With more than 275 parks and gardens within city limits the urban greens offer a breath of fresh air Just 30 miles (48 km) east of Portland sits the Columbia River Gorge — a rugged canyon on the broad Columbia River and home to more than 90 waterfalls plenty of water sports and several charming communities Enjoy a mostly level, 0.5-mile (0.8 km) round-trip walk on the Fir Trail — where you’ll pass stands of spruce and red pine, thick bushes of salal (a common sight along the Oregon Coast) and groves of fir trees Get a look at some of Hoyt Arboretum’s most popular destinations with this 0.9-mile (1.4 km) round-trip hike; you’ll pass spruce trees from several continents traverse Wedding Meadow (a grassy expanse surrounded by conifers and snowberry plants) and visit the park’s impressive redwood grove For a longer outing, consider busting out your hiking boots for the Hoyt Arboretum Loop Hike. The 4.7-mile (7.6 km) hike gains about 425 feet (129.5 m) while offering a mix of all the arboretum has to offer — including a collection of trees native to the Pacific Northwest a grove of redwood trees and a captivating collection of Asian fir trees All year long, Hoyt Arboretum hosts a variety of guided walks, classes and identification workshops (some requiring advance registration and a small fee). Here’s a sampling of events at Hoyt Arboretum: one of the most authentic Japanese gardens in the world all lined by one of the largest urban forests and there are plenty of prime places to revel in leaf-crunching relaxation Portland is home to four extinct volcanoes — some dating back millions of years picnicking and more on these natural wonders visitorinfo@travelportland.com1-888-503-3291 (toll free)503-427-1372Monday–Sunday 1132 SW Harvey Milk St #104,Portland, OR 97205 Get the guide Local BusinessesMediaMeeting PlannersTravel Industry ProfessionalsEvent Organizers We are a promoter and steward of this evolving city and its progressive values which have the power to transform the travelers who visit us •The forest around Hyperion has been trampled and damaged by ill-informed hikers Hyperion is located off designated hiking trails Soil compaction due to trampling negatively effects these centuries-old trees •Forests grow by the inch and die by the foot The redwood forest is a delicate ecosystem Hiking off trail tramples sensitive understory plants and disrupts the redwood forest ecology •Trash and human waste has been found littered on the way to Hyperion Check out these trails in order to see amazing big trees within the old-growth redwood forest The following listed activities are illegal within Redwood National & State Parks. These activities are listed in the Redwood National Park Compendium as follows Climbing any tree is prohibited without a research permit issued by the NPS that specifically authorizes this activity During the spotted owl and marbled murrelet breeding season a United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) approved Section 10(a)(1)(A) permit is also required Download the NPS app to navigate the parks on the go Sign In Subscribe Now government has approved a new school in South Surrey the new school is situated near Redwood Park After receiving 213 submissions from the school community the most often-received submission for a name suggestion was Redwood Park Elementary "Redwood Park is a significant landmark in the community known for its beautiful forest," deputy superintendent Andrew Holland said at the recent April 9 public school board meeting The naming process for the new school was first introduced in 2021 and Redwood Park Elementary was one of the suggested names for the school put forward Former Education Minister Rachna Singh shared updated news about the new elementary school in March 2024 before the provincial election the Darts Hill area school is planned to be 37 classrooms and is still in the planning phase When the school will be constructed and complete The motion for the name of the site was passed unanimously by trustees with Laurie Larsen absent from the meeting Dialogue and debate are integral to a free society and we welcome and encourage you to share your views on the issues of the day. We ask that you be respectful of others and their points of view, refrain from personal attacks and stay on topic. To learn about our commenting policies and how our community-based moderation works, please read our Community Guidelines Redwood Park Communities could get a $500,000 break on the $3-million city loan for its transitional housing project Sitting in finance and responsible governance committee Wednesday evening councillors gave initial approval of Redwood’s request for the loan forgiveness “Council always wants to be part of the solution but we can’t be the funding formula for everything,” said Deputy Mayor Robert Thomson “I think council has made it very clear that we do want to help with transitional housing," he added.  Redwood’s family transitional housing project is in Barrie’s north end at 151 Lillian Cres. it received an occupancy certificate there and began moving 12 families that were homelessness into this housing.  “I think organizations go into these things with the best of intentions,” said Mayor Alex Nuttall “I think that they (Redwood) are trying and succeeding in many ways of filling a need that’s in the city of Barrie “I think that the lesson for us around this (council) table should be that we need to have a greater buffer and contingency set aside … to support these organizations," the mayor added.  chairman of the finance and responsible governance committee “We gave them a loan with certain terms attached to it and now we’re talking about changing the needle significantly when you’re talking about a $500,000 forgiveness in regards to a $3-million loan," he said.  Harvey also mentioned city incentives already given to Redwood “It really opens up Pandora’s box that we changed the needle again,” he said “I’m not quite convinced that if I was to start banging on a few doors my residents would think this is a good deal for the taxpayers.” The motion mirrors an April 3 request from Tim Kent chief executive officer with Redwood Park Communities The terms were $1.8 million to be paid by June 30 Redwood requested the forgiveness of $500,000 as part of this early payment arrangement “I can support it because it is an acceleration of what we’re getting,” Thomson said “They’re slated to pay by the end of the year We’re actually incentivizing them to pay us back the money.” and originally due to be repaid by Redwood by Dec Funding will come from the city’s reinvestment fund or from federal housing money the city has received The $500,000 forgiveness of the loan still requires city council approval Redwood National and State Parks span 130,000 acres of diverse landscapes 40,000 acres are old-growth redwood forests Humans have lived and thrived in this abundant landscape for thousands of years weaving a rich history that extends beyond the park’s boundaries are deeply intertwined with the park’s identity The Redwoods Record: Then & Now aims to bring these stories to life by pairing archival photographs with contemporary images This collection reveals the hidden history behind familiar places highlighting the diverse individuals and communities that have shaped and continue to shape these lands We invite you to explore the galleries and uncover glimpses of the past and present Two million acres of old-growth redwood forests graced a 20 to 30 mile deep swath of land from Big Sur to southwestern Oregon They were the keystone species in a rich and diverse ecosystem Indigenous people have lived in harmony with redwoods for more than 10,000 years Then in the mid-1800s European immigrants came in vast numbers seeking fortune from gold in the hills and rivers they discovered the extraordinary utility of lumber from these massive redwood trees with their fire and insect resistant qualities Early lumbering methods were labor intensive so cutting of the trees was a slow process processing of trees become much faster and cost-effective vast hillsides of redwood forest quickly disappeared to the mills in Orick only a small fraction of old-growth trees remained The region surrounding Redwood National and State Parks includes broad bays As the lumber business grew and increasing numbers of people moved into the area the demand for services and goods expanded Cattle ranching and dairy provided the fuel for workers settling in the towns of Eureka People traveling by stage needed places to stay and California’s political establishment began to understand the importance of the redwood economy to the state’s position on the world stage A dark chapter of California’s history was written in redwood country as European immigrants in the last half of the 19th century violently displaced vibrant Native American cultures with a history that stretched back over 10,000 years Genocidal tactics backed with legal restrictions nearly exterminated multiple tribes in the area As Chinese workers also arrived to find opportunities in the growing towns Justified by the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1892 Chinese workers were expelled from the region in successive waves and to this day the region remains only lightly populated by people of Asian/Pacific Islander descent Salmon and whales once powered a lucrative and dynamic fishing industry on the North Coast the salmon runs petered out as timber industry practices and dams upstream damaged fragile riparian ecosystems in the spawning waters of the Klamath The whaling business came to a halt due to over-fishing and society’s change of ethical mind about hunting and killing whales particularly in the aftermath of the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake and Fire so did the need for overland transportation routes Railroad companies carved their narrow paths through forests and across rivers The advent of the automobile gave rise to the need for roads connecting the redwood coast with the markets and transportation hubs of the San Francisco area Early 20th century logging of redwood forests forced citizen groups to act to protect these leviathans of the land Local chapters of the California Federation of Women’s Clubs made the first protective purchases of old-growth redwood groves The Save-the-Redwoods League was formed in the 1920s Drury then guided the California State Parks to set aside major tracts of virgin redwood forest The federal government established Redwood National Park in 1968 to protect pockets of remaining redwoods The national park was expanded in 1978 to protect larger watersheds and the National Park Service was mandated to restore tens of thousand of acres of recently logged lands 40 to 100 inches of rain fall each year on the north coast Rivers swell and sometimes flood with devastating impact The ocean’s unrelenting force carves a rugged coastline and occasional tsunamis explode onto the land damaging towns Contact: Lenard Ramacher Redwood National and State Parks are home to a remarkable diversity of bird species with approximately 280 species recorded within the parks’ boundaries—nearly one-third of all bird species found across the United States This diversity is due to the variety of habitats available within the parks each supporting a unique range of birdlife Redwood National Park is exploring efforts to reintroduce the California condor one of North America's most iconic and endangered birds This proposed project aims to restore these majestic birds to their historic range within the park enhancing the biodiversity of the region and providing a unique opportunity for visitors to witness the species in its natural habitat once again Access to the area is via the Bald Hills Road and the Dolason and Lyon's Ranch Trails Looking to enhance your birdwatching experience at Redwood National and State Parks? Download our comprehensive bird checklist (PDF) to help identify and track the diverse species you may encounter during your visit This handy guide is perfect for exploring the parks' varied habitats and spotting everything from common species to rare sightings is a collaborative and ambitious restoration initiative involving Save the Redwoods League This partnership aims to implement a large-scale restoration effort across 120,000 acres of forests in Redwood National and State Parks (RNSP) The initiative focuses on improving forest and watershed conditions to restore the health and resilience of these iconic landscapes ensuring the long-term preservation and vitality of the redwood ecosystem This ambitious initiative aims to enhance the health and connectivity of these vital ecosystems addressing challenges such as habitat fragmentation we not only protect the incredible wildlife that inhabits them but also ensure a thriving environment for future generations to enjoy and appreciate The work being done here represents a commitment to conservation aiming to reconnect the land and its ecosystems for a more sustainable and resilient future These efforts represent significant progress towards the long-term vision of restoring and enhancing the health of the redwood forest ecosystems The Greater Mill Creek (GMC) Watershed is situated in the northern part of Redwood National and State Parks located south and southeast of Crescent City The restoration efforts in this area primarily take place within Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park The Greater Prairie Creek (GPC) Watershed is located in the southern section of Redwood National and State Parks The GPC project area spans both Redwood National Park and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park These watersheds are critical for the overall health of the redwood ecosystem and are focal points for ongoing restoration initiatives aimed at improving forest and watershed conditions Redwood National and State Parks boast an impressive diversity of terrestrial mammals, ranging from tiny shrews that scurry through the forest floor to the majestic Roosevelt elk which can weigh up to 1,200 pounds (544 kg) including 13 different types of bats and the non-native Virginia opossum These mammals inhabit a variety of ecosystems within the parks and riparian areas along rivers and creeks like the black-tailed deer and Roosevelt elk are commonly seen grazing in meadows and open spaces throughout the year may roam the parks as part of larger territories that extend beyond park boundaries These larger carnivores play vital roles in maintaining ecological balance by regulating prey populations and helping to shape their habitats are present only during specific times of the year Migratory bats arrive during breeding seasons or as they move between habitats using the parks as critical stopover points are semi-aquatic and thrive along the parks’ streams Many small mammals in the parks are seldom seen due to their nocturnal (active at night) or fossorial (living underground) habits Signs of these mammals are often easier to spot than the animals themselves The nocturnal dusky-footed woodrat is another rarely observed rodent but their large stick houses are often visible on tree stumps or at the base of trees Known as “pack-rats,” these animals collect both natural and human-made items for their nests While spotting carnivores in the parks is rare typically filled with crab and crayfish shells Roosevelt elk and black-tailed deer are among the most frequently observed mammals and the Bald Hills prairies and oak woodlands North American beavers can sometimes be seen in Redwood Creek and its tributaries Signs of beaver activity include dams and plugged culverts often the result of beavers piling sticks into openings Below are some of the mammals you may encounter in Redwood National and State Parks: Download the comprehensive mammal checklist (PDF) for Redwood National and State Parks to help you identify and learn about the diverse species of mammals found throughout the park’s forests This guide is perfect for enhancing your wildlife exploration and tracking the animals you encounter during your visit Most visitors know that every living creature These are the same basic necessities we rely on to make it through another weekend outdoors But there is one more essential element that is often overlooked: space Wildlife can become stressed and react unpredictably when their space is invaded Even well-meaning visitors who get too close can cause harm Think about how you would feel if you could never get away from a pesky sibling and respecting that space helps protect both them and us Enjoy wildlife from a distance and let them thrive in their natural home seeing wildlife anywhere — not just at Redwood National or State Parks — is thrilling Understand that you’re visiting homes where animals eat heavy winter storms have caused the failure of some legacy logging roads and culverts these collapses can trigger entire hillsides to give way destroying downslope forests and burying streams and rivers under massive amounts of sediment Redwood National Park has removed or stabilized over 250 miles of logging roads Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park has removed approximately 70 miles of roads but more than 250 miles still require attention To address this challenge, Storm Patrol plays a crucial role in monitoring and maintaining these vulnerable roads. This winter crew, funded by Save the Redwoods League, is an essential part of the larger Redwoods Rising restoration effort and wildlife from the ongoing impacts of past logging practices and the 2002 addition of the Mill Creek watershed to Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park marked significant shifts in how we manage "nature parks." These newly protected lands had been heavily altered by decades of timber harvesting leaving behind hundreds of miles of logging roads and aging culverts When these roads or culverts fail—especially during heavy winter storms—they can trigger landslides and burying streams and rivers under massive amounts of sediment The damage to these ecosystems can be severe and the long-term health of the redwood landscape Restoring these lands requires ongoing effort and Redwood National and State Parks continue to address the legacy of logging through large-scale habitat restoration and how their work is important in protecting the hills and endangered salmon species of Redwood National and State Parks these two "Storm Patrollers" are doing simple but vital things to protect the parks' resources Their success is sustaining safe hillsides for as long as possible Discover the ways that Storm Patrol monitors complex and potentially destructive processes in the hills of Redwood National and State Parks The Golden State may be famous for its national parks but its state park system is worthy of praise Evie Carrick is a writer and editor who’s lived in five countries and visited well over 50 She now splits her time between Colorado and Paris ensuring she doesn't have to live without skiing or L'As du Fallafel Mark Rightmire/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images The National Park Service (NPS) is bolstering landscape-scale restoration efforts in Redwood National and State Parks, specifically targeting the Prairie Creek watershed. This initiative, executed by the Redwoods Rising collaborative comprising the NPS aims to accelerate the restoration of 43,280 acres through strategic interventions such as forest thinning With a focus on the Prairie Creek watershed the project aligns with the Congressional intent outlined in the 1978 park expansion act (PL 95-250) the Redwoods Rising collaborative seeks to expedite high-priority restoration The project's strategic forest thinning and removal of legacy logging roads aim to reduce wildfire risks enhance carbon capture and fortify forest resilience The initiative builds on Redwoods Rising's successful restoration activities since 2019 demonstrating the collaborative's capacity to secure funding and implement impactful measures Tthe project fosters long-term restoration and protection of the redwood ecosystem benefiting local communities and providing training opportunities for youth The Inflation Reduction Act provides the National Park Service with an historic opportunity to address critical ecosystem resilience Projects funded in national parks represent broad-scale and impactful resource investments across every corner of our nation—from Alaska to Florida to Maine Parking for the Main Trail is off the Wolverton Road (between the Sherman Tree and Lodgepole); just follow signs The trail runs half a mile (0.8 km) down to the tree you'll enter the Giant Forest sequoia grove Exhibits along the trail explain the natural history of giant sequoias Those with disability parking placards can park in a small lot along the edge of the Generals Highway. From there, a wheelchair-accessible trail leads a short distance to the tree. If you don't have a placard but can't manage the Main Trail, during shuttle season you can ride park shuttles (all are wheelchair accessible then continue down to the shuttle stop along the Generals Highway A shuttle can return you to your parking area A fence protects the shallow roots of the Sherman Tree Please help us protect the tree by staying on the paved trail On some winter holiday weekends, a winter shuttle may provide transportation from Giant Forest Museum Hundreds of monarch sequoias grow in the Giant Forest sequoia grove a paved two-mile loop that begins near the Sherman Tree offers excellent opportunities to see notable trees a one-mile (1.6 km) loop around a lush meadow has interpretive exhibits about the natural history of giant sequoias explore the many miles of trails in the area Beyond the Giant Forest, more sequoia groves await. Visit the world's second-largest tree, the General Grant Tree in the Grant Grove area of Kings Canyon National Park Other groves such as Redwood Canyon and Muir Grove are destinations for longer hikes Whether you see them from your car or hike to a remote grove Learn about the largest trees in the world and their relationship to fire and climate Learn more about recent threats to giant sequoias in this web article - including hotter droughts Climate plays a key role in giant sequoia groves Recent severe drought and tree mortality prompted research to study the sensitivity of giant sequoias to drought Learn more about the role fire plays in giant sequoia groves The Yurok word for the California condor is Prey-go-neesh The return of this majestic bird to its ancestral home in Redwood National and State Parks represents a profound cultural and environmental restoration effort Each condor is given a unique name by the Condor Restoration Program honoring their individuality and significance both the program and the individual condors have become celebrated icons the first group of four condors arrived at the release site The cohort included an experienced older male and three younger condors: two males with wingtags A2 and A3 All of the young condors are between two and four years old meaning “Come back” in the Nez Perce language guiding each young condor that passes through the release site on its journey four more condors arrived at the release site marking the start of their adaptation period they adjusted to their new environment with guidance from Paaytoqin the mentor bird (wingtag #746) who remains in the release pen to help shape the young condors' behavior The first to take flight from this group was A4 which means “I feel strong.” Known for his confidence or “The Watcher.” Though initially more cautious meaning “I’m bashful” or “I’m shy.” He waited until November 16 to take his first flight meaning “I am healthy / I get well.” She took her first flight on November 9 bringing resilience and balance to the growing condor family represents the strength and diversity of this expanding population We have a new development in the movements of San Francisco's beloved but noisy wild parrots — at least one group of them anyway They have been gathering regularly in recent months in the small redwood grove next to the iconic Transamerica Pyramid It's been a while since we've had any significant update on the wild parrots, who have now become so much a part of SF's identity and lore that they appear on our new "I Voted" stickers, and they were chosen last year in a Chronicle poll to be the city's "official animal." if not worldwide attention two decades ago after the release of Judy Irving’s 2003 documentary The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill — which was recently restored and re-released to theaters earlier this year The documentary focused on Irving's longtime partner who remains a Telegraph Hill dweller and lover of the birds A strange disease had been afflicting the parrots in 2018 and 2019, leading some to speculate that they were being systematically poisoned But the birds continue to thrive and their numbers don't seem to have dwindled We were under the impression that the parrots had split into multiple flocks over the years, some of them living as far south as Brisbane, and others split between different city parks. But a new Chronicle piece in which Bittner and others speak about the state of the birds seems to suggest it's mainly all one flock of around 220 birds which are technically cherry-headed conures have recently been spotted in Transamerica Redwood Park spending at least some of their daylight hours there The birds had long been regulars in the poplars in Sue Bierman Park some of those trees fell during storms last year and now the birds appear to have sought out a different refuge The birds have also been seen perching in the window bays of the Transamerica Pyramid itself and on the roofs of 450 and 475 Sansome Street Given that the redwoods don't lose their needles in the winter some bird watchers speculate that the flock has simply found better cover from predators The birds have always moved around the city throughout the day and Bittner expressed regret several years ago that Irving's film and his companion book of the same name had given people the mistaken impression that the birds live only on Telegraph Hill frequents Alamo Square Park and Lafayette Park and the birds are also sometimes spotted in Bernal Heights and at Crissy Field Bittner has long been an advocate for the birds — and leaving the birds alone "The thing I always want to add is for people not to worry about them Previously: SF's Wild Parrot Flocks Still Going Strong, But Non-Profit That Cares For Injured Birds Needs Help An SF whale watching boat tour took an unexpected direction Sunday morning as the boat’s resident German shepherd suddenly went into labor and produced seven little puppies as the boat was setting sail A Saturday night shootout at the Delta Bowl in Antioch has left two people dead and they apparently both shot each other in some sort of dispute in the bowling alley’s parking lot Get the latest posts delivered right to your inbox Barmann is a fiction writer and web editor who's lived in San Francisco for 20+ years Get all the latest & greatest posts delivered straight to your inbox Plans to upgrade facilities at the Cement Creek Redwood Forest in Warburton are progressing with Parks Victoria currently seeking tenders to construct new visitor facilities at the site.  Visitors can look forward to a number of upgrades set to be delivered by Parks Victoria as well as formalising sections of the existing trail network The upgrades aim to improve the site’s accessibility and provide a better visitor experience while also managing visitor impacts to help protect the park’s unique environment.  Draft designs were shared with the community early last year and have since been going through cultural heritage and town planning approvals.  We expect to be able to share final designs with the community in the coming months once we have received the relevant permits awarded the construction tender and scoped final costs with the selected contractor.  The upgrades being delivered by Parks Victoria are funded by $2.6 million from the Victorian Government This includes $2.3 million from the Regional Tourism Investment Fund which supports new and innovative tourism infrastructure projects that increase visitation drive private investment and deliver more jobs Pictured above: The Cement Creek Redwood Forest is well-loved for its enchanting and photogenic Californian Redwood trees An additional $400,000 of works funded and delivered by Melbourne Water will support visitor accessibility and additional open space opportunities These works will include constructing boardwalks viewing platforms and fencing along the Cement Creek Revegetation along the Cement Creek and the Yarra River will also be undertaken to improve river health and provide habitat The Cement Creek Redwood Forest in the Yarra Ranges National Park has become an increasingly popular site over recent years due to the enchanting and photogenic Californian Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) trees In April 2023 the Cement Creek Plantation (which includes the Redwood Forest) was added to the Victorian Heritage Register due to its aesthetic Parks Victoria and Melbourne Water are working with Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation Yarra Ranges Shire Council and Heritage Victoria to ensure the site’s natural and cultural values are protected during works and into the future Subject to on-ground and construction industry conditions cultural heritage and town planning assessments and approvals Parks Victoria’s portion of works is expected to start in mid-2024 For more information about the project visit the Cement Creek Redwood Forest facility upgrades project page. Connect with us, and subscribe to receive the latest nature inspiration and news straight to your inbox. Victoria’s networks of parks and reserves form the core of Aboriginal cultural landscapes. Parks Victoria acknowledges the continuing connection that Traditional Owners have to these landscapes and recognises their ongoing role in caring for Country on which we learn, explore and live. Parks Victoria Information Centre. Phone 13 1963 © Parks Victoria CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) National parks are guardians of American natural and cultural history parks exist in rapidly changing landscapes and climate change all impact the natural web of life Coast redwood forests boast the tallest trees on Earth meaning they store more carbon than they release Understory gems like the trillium (Trillium ovatum) and redwood sorrel add diversity and support a variety of wildlife and grasslands in the parks are culturally significant to the local Tolowa Drought exacerbated by climate change threatens the long-term survival of moisture-dependent redwood groves We also track woody debris conditions that are closely tied to fire by measuring woody debris and litter and duff depths from the tiny aquatic insects that feed salamanders and bluebirds The endemic southern torrent salamander lives in Godwood Creek one of the few remaining examples of undisturbed old growth forest stream habitat The parks’ streams also support threatened salmonid fish like steelhead trout and coho and chinook salmon But the parks’ waters are vulnerable to climate change and other stressors like the ever-present threat of invasive species or diseases Soil eroding off old timber roads degrades stream bottom habitats We monitor the parks’ streams and the Freshwater Lagoon to track aquatic health https://www.nps.gov/im/klmn/intertidal.htm https://www.nps.gov/im/klmn/landbirds.htm Kwantlen Chief Marilyn Gabriel was on hand at last week's Surrey Board of Education public board meeting to recognize late Kwantlen elder Theresa Clarke with the naming of Theresa Clarke Elementary The board approved the name Theresa Clarke Elementary set to open in September at the site of the current City Central Learning Centre as well as the name Redwood Park Elementary for a new school in South Surrey Two schools in opposite corners of Surrey will soon have new names, with one gifted to the district by the Kwantlen First Nation after a late Kwantlen elder the Surrey Board of Education approved the name Theresa Clarke Elementary after respected long-time Kwantlen elder Theresa Clarke who grew up on the Kwantlen territory and lived to be 100 years old she memorized the land by counting steps and knew Surrey extensively “It’s a good day when I can go back to my elders and say they have chosen one of our names,” said Kwantlen Chief Marilyn Gabriel “They’ve chosen a place name that is important to Kwantlen people “Our names and our language is connected to the land,” said Kwantlen cultural department member Michael Kelly-Gabriel “When we share our traditional names we’re not only acknowledging the ones who are here in person we’re also honouring the ones before that carried that name.” unceded and shared territories of Coast Salish peoples: the Katzie (q̓íc̓əy̓) Kwantlen (q̓ʷa:n̓ƛ̓ən̓) and Semiahmoo (SEMYOME) First Nations Theresa Clarke Elementary will open in September at the site of the current City Central Learning Centre The board also approved a request from the Kwantlen First Nation to include the traditional name “stəqʷaθen” meaning “across from but facing you; a Village on Surrey Side near Qiyqet” under the name Theresa Clarke Elementary on the school Board Chair Gary Tymoschuk expressed the board’s appreciation to the Kwantlen First Nation for gifting the district the school’s name and Trustee Bob Holmes emphasized the importance of working with the local First Nations in the district’s ongoing efforts towards truth and reconciliation “I just want to really thank you for the gift of this name I know that our history of residential schools the truth is we need to reconcile and really we appreciate you giving us this name to use it’s really a great honour for us so thank you,” said Holmes the board also approved the name Redwood Park Elementary for a new elementary school at 17390 20th Ave. chosen by the district’s School Naming Committee out of 213 submissions from the public The board received numerous suggestions for the name Redwood Park and selected it due to the new school’s proximity to the park and its significance as a beautiful forest and landmark in the community Redwood Park Elementary will be a new 37-classroom school and is currently supported by the Ministry of Education and Child Care We respectfully acknowledge that Surrey Schools reside on the traditional unceded and shared territories of Coast Salish peoples: The q̓íc̓əy̓ - Katzie the q̓ʷa:n̓ƛ̓ən̓ - Kwantlen and the SEMYOME - Semiahmoo First Nations: the stewards of this land since time immemorial We highlight this history knowing that relationships and partnerships based on respect with the Indigenous peoples of this land are important for truth and reconciliation the Prairie Creek Fish Hatchery is one of the few remaining historic hatcheries in California it served as an educational site for decades Despite challenges like logging impacts and outdated facilities Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places the hatchery is undergoing rehabilitation with partners such as the Yurok Tribe and HistoriCorps it will reopen as a training and meeting space preserving its historical and educational legacy The state of California historically established fish hatcheries to promote sport fishing and combat the effects of overfishing state and national agencies supported these efforts funded primarily through fishing licenses and fees These facilities were designed to release small fish into streams featured a hatchery building equipped with troughs and tanks and a diversion dam and reservoir that brought water from Lost Man Creek built by local carpenters using redwood from the area providing amenities for employees and their families who lived on site and workers collected eggs from females and sperm from males The harvested fish carcasses were either left for wildlife like bears The fertilized eggs were transferred to troughs in the hatchery building placed into perforated baskets that allowed water flow Once the "fry" matured to "fingerling" stage workers scooped them into milk cans equipped with aerators and transported them to streams in Humboldt and Del Norte Counties the hatchery used specialized tank trucks for transportation Post-World War II logging activities severely degraded Lost Man Creek Humboldt County leased and updated the property in 1958 to maintain operations The establishment of Redwood National Park in 1968 increased tourism in the area turning the hatchery into an educational site learned about the hatchery’s history and operations as part of their visits and the property was transferred to the National Park Service shortly after 2000: The Prairie Creek Fish Hatchery is listed on National Register of Historic Places Media Contact: Robin CarrLandis Communications Inc. (415) 766-0927California State Parks Newsroom@parks.ca.gov Heavy equipment operators with California State Park staff removing a segment of a defunct logging road in the Greater Mill Creek area within Redwood National and State Parks These redwood ecosystem restoration programs bring much-needed revenue quality jobs and critical environmental conservation benefits to the region driving economic growth in an economically disadvantaged area of California “Assessing the Restoration Economy within Redwood National and State Parks” examines new economic opportunities made possible by large-scale restoration programs in Humboldt and Del Norte counties The report contrasts the growing restoration economy with the legacy of extraction-based industries in the region—namely the historic industrial-scale logging of coast redwood forests Redwoods Rising and ‘O Rew Redwoods Gateway restoration programs have brought far-reaching benefits to our forests local communities and beyond,” said Paul Ringgold chief program officer for Save the Redwoods League “Communities in Humboldt and Del Norte have experienced challenges following the decline of old-growth logging and fishing This new report highlights how a restoration economy can provide stable well-paying jobs that put valuable skills to work conserving redwood forests for future generations.” Read the full report and more at RedwoodsRising.org. “Redwoods Rising is an ambitious restoration program that is bringing back the unique and wonderful coast redwood forest native to Northern California and it serves as a model for public-private partnership-driven restoration,” said Jay Chamberlin chief of the Natural Resources Division for California State Parks “With nearly $31 million in economic output in 2024 alone the program demonstrates that conservation and economic vitality can go hand in hand.” Funding for the socioeconomic study was provided by Redwood Parks Conservancy the nonprofit partner supporting Redwood National and State Parks “These restoration programs are examples of the power of partnerships focused on healing lands and waters collaboratively,” said Sal Munoz Moreno executive director of Redwood Parks Conservancy “By celebrating and stewarding our public lands we can also ensure the health and wellness of our local communities.” Redwoods Rising is a collaborative initiative among Save the Redwoods League California State Parks and the National Park Service aimed at restoring the health and resilience of the iconic redwood forests in Redwood National and State Parks It focuses on restoring 70,000 acres of degraded redwood forest landscapes heavily impacted by past industrial logging practices with the goal of accelerating development of old-growth forest characteristics and protecting these unique ecosystems the program has treated more than 4,200 acres of forest removed or improved more than 70 miles of failing logging roads and restored nearly 6 miles of stream channels throughout the parks National Park Service and California State Parks signed a memorandum of understanding for the transfer as well as significant ecological restoration and to formalize the four partners’ shared vision for long-term co-stewardship of the site as a gateway for the visiting public to the parks The agreement marks the first time state and federal agencies will assist with stewardship and public access on tribally owned land Subscribe to California State Parks News via e-mail at NewsRoom@parks.ca.gov California State Parks provides for the health inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources and creating opportunities for high quality outdoor recreation Sign up to receive the latest State Parks news directly to your email Have a question? Use the Contact Us Page. © Copyright document.write(new Date().getFullYear());. All Rights Reserved. News Foster + Partners completes restoration of iconic Transamerica Pyramid Center 13th September 2024 Foster + Partners has completed the restoration of the Transamerica Pyramid Center in San Francisco. The biggest renovation in the building’s 50-year history, the project gives a new lease of life to one of the city’s most recognizable landmark towers and revitalizes the historic Transamerica Redwood Park at its base. The practice was appointed by SHVO, the luxury real estate development and investment firm. Norman Foster, Founder and Executive Chairman, Foster + Partners, said: "We are delighted to see Transamerica Pyramid Center entering a new era. Our transformation honors the building's history while creating interior spaces that are world class and outdoor public gardens that reconnect with the city." Michael Shvo, Chairman & CEO of SHVO, said: "The Transamerica Pyramid has always been ahead of its time, and now it always will be. The remastering of this historic block will mark a new chapter for this iconic landmark, ensuring it remains a vibrant hub for creativity, business, and community." David Summerfield, Head of Studio, Foster + Partners, said: "Our work on the Transamerica Pyramid has revitalized the building, clearing away years of later additions that had compromised the space internally. The new masterplan restores the logic of Pereira’s plan, reasserting its clarity and revitalising the ground plane." Located in one of the world’s premier gateway cities, and a symbol of San Francisco’s ambition, the Transamerica Pyramid Center encompasses an entire city block in the Financial District. Designed by the celebrated futurist architect William Pereira and completed in 1972, it is emblematic of the city skyline. Complete with a café, florist and bookshop, the lobby reflects the spirt of the local neighborhood, and provides a sense of calm and wellbeing from the moment of arrival. The refined material palette of oak, marble and terrazzo was selected to align with Pereira’s original design. At the rear of the lobby space, the tower’s Annex has been restored – with new skylights and glazing – to fill the space with natural light and provide spectacular views of the park. The lobby and amenity levels are reimagined as elevated hospitality spaces, with an emphasis on quality and comfort. Incentivizing the return to the office, a fitness center and sky lobby are located at the middle of the tower – offering a state-of-the-art gym, sauna and yoga studios, as well as high-quality spaces for work and relaxation with panoramic city views. The tower is topped by an exclusive bar for office tenants. Transamerica Redwood Park – which consists of nearly 50 mature redwood trees transplanted from the Santa Cruz Valley to the site in 1974 and now over 100 feet tall – has also been upgraded and additional landscape activates the site perimeter. Adding seasonal color to the space, Mark Twain Alley – the alleyway from Sansome Street – is lined with eastern red bud trees, leading up to the base of the Transamerica Pyramid featuring curated cafés, shops and restaurants. The practice has also refurbished Two Transamerica’s lobby space, stripping away more recent additions to express the original structure and enhance connections with the park. The Pyramid’s famous spire will also be re-lit for the first time with over 1,300 feet of newly installed LED lights, as part of a comprehensive new lighting design of both the interior and exterior by the L'Observatoire International. It’s akin to the age-old question of what came first: The chicken or the egg Similar thinking can be applied when it comes to creating supportive housing solutions say those in the know — you need the money to get the ball rolling on projects but you need to be making money in order to get approved for funding those projects.  That’s where Redwood Park Communities' housing bonds campaign is hoping to change how important projects — such as Lillian Place a family short-term supportive housing centre in Barrie’s north end set to open this spring (and build in partnership with the Salvation Army) — can go from ideas to reality “Community bonds is a way for charities and not-for-profits to have access to funds in a faster more efficient way than a traditional banking system Often what happens is we are able to go into traditional financial options later on (after) projects exist and (are) now making money,” said Carolina Belmares co-ordinator for Redwood’s community bonds campaign “In order to have the projects built and making money you need to have money first," she added. "We were getting trapped there You can’t just rely on things like grants or government money because we know it can take a long time for all of that to come into fruition.” Community bonds came into existence as a way to offer non-profits and charities a clearer and more direct path into accessing funds “It’s almost like crowd-sourcing the funding from your community We are not asking people to give us their money It’s an investment," she said. "The money is still yours and you get to make a return on your money every year just like you would on any other investment." Those investments are backed by the properties the organization owns “We have this problem we are trying to solve you get to be a direct participant in placing your money directly in your city and your community we get to do magical things in our community with it,” she said The organization is looking to raise $10 million over the next five months which Belmares said would allow the organizations to move forward in adding 150 more units of affordable housing around the region The campaign, which “soft-launched” in September 2024 is already close to hitting its first major milestone of $500,000 which means work can begin on renovating affordable housing units in Barrie for local seniors as well as expanding on building projects in Orillia and Midland but it’s a goal that is reflective of the need we see in our community We have to give it our all and we are trying to do it fast We are hopeful our community is going to come along with us,” she told BarrieToday “These projects are so important because each of us could very easily testify about how difficult the housing situation has become in Barrie and Simcoe County We can just step outside our door and see there is an urgency for these kinds of projects to happen,” she added “The government is a fantastic partner except it does take a long time and it’s not always a sure thing You have to meet certain criteria and it’s not always fast or feasible.” Lillian Place is a great example of a really important housing project for the community that also took a really long time chief executive officer for Redwood Park Communities A large part of the reason it took as long as it did was financing or came in from different levels of government to move to each next phase of construction," Kent said. "Community housing bonds let us get started on vital projects now instead of waiting those two three or four years that it takes to line up the various funding pieces." Belmares said that, through the community housing bonds campaign they are trying to navigate the system in such a way where they are the problem solvers.  “What we need right now is for our community to understand that this is a fantastic thing that is happening and they have a direct chance to make this happen with us,” she said The need for projects like Lillian Place — a two-storey building with 12 fully furnished two-bedroom apartments for families in crisis — is “huge,” added Kent “Since opening the doors of our first housing community in 2013 we have provided affordable housing with support to over 500 women men and children," he said. "This includes women who had experienced gender-based violence but are now in new careers and healthy relationships children who were in foster care but were able to return home once their parents secured safe and men who were working three jobs but still living in their cars due to the cost of housing hopeful place to call home and when that's the case our entire community benefits," he added. "Housing changes lives and the impacts of Lillian Place will ripple out beyond our walls and through generations." Lichfield District Council plans to change the ownership of Lichfield's Beacon Park and Burntwood's Redwood Park The council has issued a public notice concerning the transfer of ownership to Lichfield West Midlands Traded Services Limited The notice said: "The Council intends to dispose of land designated as public open space. The land affected is at the following locations Beacon Park, Lichfield Epiphytic macrolichens grow on tree trunks they obtain all their nutrients directly from precipitation and the air Many epiphytic lichen species have narrow environmental niches and are extremely sensitive to changes in air pollution Forest Service national survey to develop critical loads of nitrogen (N) and critical loads of sulfur (S) to prevent more than a 20% decline in four lichen community metrics: total species richness (2021) used forested area from the National Land Cover Database to estimate the impact of air pollution on epiphytic lichen communities Forested area makes up 485 km2 (84.5%) of the land area of Redwood National Park For exceedances of other lichen metrics and the predicted decline of lichen communities see Appendices A and B of McCoy et al Additional modeling was done on 459 lichen species to test the combined effects of air pollution and climate gradients (Geiser et al A critical load indicative of initial shifts from pollution-sensitive toward pollution-tolerant species occurred at 1.5 kg-N ha-1 yr-1 and 2.7 kg-S ha-1 yr-1 even under changing climate regimes Plants vary in their tolerance of eutrophication and acidification and some plant species respond to nitrogen (N) or sulfur (S) pollution with declines in growth Forest Service national forest survey to develop critical loads of N and critical loads of S to prevent declines in growth or survival of sensitive tree species (2019) used a database of plant community surveys to develop critical loads of N and critical loads of S to prevent a decline in abundance of sensitive herbaceous plant species Estimated total nitrogen and sulfur deposition levels from 2000-2002 (top) compared to the 2019-2021 (bottom) average at REDW Estimated values were developed using the National Atmospheric Deposition Program - Total Deposition (TDep) approach that combines measured and modeled data Estimated values are valuable for analyzing gradients of deposition and the resulting ecosystem risks where monitors are not present Pollutants like mercury and pesticides are concerning because they are persistent and toxic in the environment These contaminants can travel in the air thousands of miles away from the source of pollution even depositing in protected places like national parks while some of these harmful pollutants may be banned from use historically contaminated sites continue to endure negative environmental consequences When deposited, airborne mercury and other toxic air contaminants are known to harm wildlife like birds and fish, and cause human health concerns Many of these substances enter the food chain and accumulate in the tissue of organisms causing reduced reproductive success the data may not reflect the risk at other unsampled locations in the park Fish consumption advisories may be in effect for mercury and other contaminants (NPS 2022). The NPS Air Resources Division reports on park conditions and trends for mercury. Visit the webpage to learn more At ground level, ozone is harmful to human health and the environment Ground-level ozone does not come directly from smokestacks or vehicles but instead is formed when other pollutants mainly nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds There are 47 other Park Air Profiles covering parks across the United States and its territories Campbell, S. J., Wanek, R. Coulston, J. W. 2007. Ozone injury in west coast forests: 6 years of monitoring. General Technical Report. PNW-GTR-722. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 53 p. Available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/pnw-beta/publications/ozone-injury-west-coast-forests-6-years-monitoring Assessing Ecological Risks from Atmospheric Deposition of Nitrogen and Sulfur to US Forests Using Epiphytic Macrolichens Horn KJ, Thomas RQ, Clark CM, Pardo LH, Fenn ME, Lawrence GB, et al. (2018) Growth and survival relationships of 71 tree species with nitrogen and sulfur deposition across the conterminous U.S.. PLoS ONE 13(10): e0205296. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0205296 Kohut R.J. 2007. Ozone Risk Assessment for Vital Signs Monitoring Networks, Appalachian National Scenic Trail, and Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail. NPS/NRPC/ARD/NRTR—2007/001. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado. Available at https://www.nps.gov/articles/ozone-risk-assessment.htm McCoy K., M. D. Bell, and E. Felker-Quinn. 2021. Risk to epiphytic lichen communities in NPS units from atmospheric nitrogen and sulfur pollution: Changes in critical load exceedances from 2001‒2016. Natural Resource Report NPS/NRSS/ARD/NRR—2021/2299. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado. https://doi.org/10.36967/nrr-2287254 [NADP] National Atmospheric Deposition Program. 2018. NTN Data. Accessed January 20, 2022. Available at http://nadp.slh.wisc.edu/NADP/ [NPS] National Park Service. 2022. Fish Consumption Advisories. https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fishing/fish-consumption-advisories.htm Porter, E., Blett, T., Potter, D.U., Huber, C. 2005. Protecting resources on federal lands: Implications of critical loads for atmospheric deposition of nitrogen and sulfur. BioScience 55(7): 603–612. https://doi.org/10.1641/0006-3568(2005)055[0603:PROFLI]2.0.CO;2 Sullivan T.J., Peterson, D.L., Blanchard, C.L., Tannebaum, S.J. 2001. Assessment of Air Quality and Air Pollutant Impacts in Class I National Parks of California. National Park Service. Available at https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2082158 Air quality related values (AQRVs) in national parks: Effects from ozone; visibility reducing particles; and atmospheric deposition of acids Natural Resource Report NPS/NRSS/ARD/NRR—2016/1196 Toowoomba’s compassion for Great Depression-era unemployed has been further emphasised by the State heritage-listing of the Eagles Nest Camp in Redwood Park The story of Eagles Nest Camp is the story of the terrible hardships that befell the population during the Great Depression of the 1930s – and of Toowoomba’s benevolence that made national headlines “Eagles Nest Camp is a 2.65-hectare site within Redwood Park on the eastern side of the Great Dividing Range at Toowoomba,” Queensland Heritage Council Chair Debbie Best said “Redwood Park was a native bird sanctuary from 1911 appreciated by residents and visitors alike and in the 1930s a small portion of the park became a makeshift camp for unemployed itinerant men impacted by the Great Depression it was set up by prominent Toowoomba resident and philanthropist Dr Thomas Price (1871–1957) to alleviate the hardships experienced by these men “The camp soon became known across Australia as one of the best of its type with many newspaper features touting its merit and the respectability of its occupants.” Ms Best said that it was now hard to imagine what the Australian population endured during the Great Depression “Unemployment spiralled and while the state government of the time provided emergency rations it also said unemployed men could not receive these rations from the same place in successive weeks “This meant men wandered from town to town to find work and receive rations “They were known as the ‘deserving poor’ who wanted to work and they comprised the whole cross-section of society from returned war heroes to university academics.” tools and other supplies given by Dr Price and supporters Eagles Nest Camp was constructed by camp residents and ran on a model of self-sufficiency The camp included sleeping huts (built from flattened kerosine tins and cornsacks) and a large vegetable garden and stockyards and it could accommodate up to 35 men at a time some 1920 itinerant “travellers” were receiving rations in Toowoomba which soon became known to these men as a “good town” in reference to the services available to them It was estimated that by 1935 more than 1500 men had stayed at the camp “It is not clear when the Eagles Nest Camp was vacated and the structures removed it is likely that it coincided with the beginning of World War II,” Ms Best said Very little evidence of the Eagles Nest Camp was visible in the intervening years but in 1994 an archaeological investigation was carried out by the University of Southern Queensland The foundations of 19 structures were identified along with numerous paths and stone-edged garden beds as well as the location of the vegetable gardens and stockyards The mess hall and kitchen platforms were excavated to reveal their layout and a dump site along the creek produced a range of glass “Unemployed men’s camps were common in the Great Depression with many in Brisbane and others in Townsville humpies and lean-tos and no evidence of their existence remains “Eagles Nest Camp on the other hand is unique as it is now the only known example of a Great Depression-era unemployed itinerant men’s camp in Queensland with surviving features “The camp gives us a greater understanding of these camps their occupants and their activities and infrastructure,” Ms Best said The application to heritage list the Eagles Nest Camp was submitted by a member of the Toowoomba community with the Queensland Heritage Council entering the place into the Queensland Heritage Register on 26 March 2021 See more information on the Eagles Nest Camp, Redwood Park 13 QGOV (13 74 68) Help us improve the content on our website or tell us what is working really well Please contact us Two schools in opposite corners of Surrey will soon have new names, with one gifted to the district by the Kwantlen First Nation after a late Kwantlen elder Kwantlen Chief Marilyn Gabriel was on hand at last week's Surrey Board of Education public board meeting to recognize late Kwantlen elder Theresa Clarke with the naming of Theresa Clarke Elementary "It's a good day when I can go back to my elders and say they have chosen one of our names," said Kwantlen Chief Marilyn Gabriel "They've chosen a place name that is important to Kwantlen people "Our names and our language is connected to the land," said Kwantlen cultural department member Michael Kelly-Gabriel we're not only acknowledging the ones who are here in person we're also honouring the ones before that carried that name." Read more. The President of the Board of Directors of Collège O'Sullivan de Montréal, Ms. Joanne Rousseau, is pleased to announce the... ShareSaveCommentLifestyleTravelRedwoods National Park: 10 Things To Know Before You GoByGeoffrey Morrison Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights Geoffrey Morrison is a travel writer and digital nomad.Follow AuthorMay 11 01:45pm EDTShareSaveCommentMy friend Kay conquers a fallen tree Luke and Leia ducked under this tree while on speederbikes in .. Redwoods is one of my favorite National Parks and it shares one aspect with my other favorites: otherworldliness Being there really feels like you’ve been transported to another world because there’s no other place like it on this one You may have thought you’ve seen tall trees before Walking among these giants makes one feel as if the whole world had gotten larger The massive redwoods that give the park its name When I’ve shared my enthusiasm for Redwoods These are trees unlike any you’ve ever seen Get far enough away to get the entire tree in frame They're so much taller than any trees you've ever seen the view looking south from High Bluff Overlook More accessible from a small trail on the opposite side of the parking lot from the picnic area There are swimming holes and rivers nearby though Don’t expect to see the biggest redwoods near the beaches the whole area has extensive national and state conservation areas and many of the roads have strict speed limits The not-so-hidden radar huts of Radar Station B-71 Along the coast, near Klamath, are the remains of a bit of nearly-forgotten WWII history. Radar Station B-71 was once an early-warning radar and air defense station Inside were the various electronics needed to run the radar Spooky-looking almost-houses with no windows and boarded-up doors During my first visit to the park in 2022 the houses weren't locked Getting to this spot requires you to pass High Bluff Overlook which offers some incredible views south down the rocky coastline a small trail descends down to another overlook that looks north continue on and there’s a small pull-out where you can hike down to the houses The speeder bikes pass under these trees at roughly 59:30 in Return of the Jedi Star Wars fans will remember the Ewoks from Return of the Jedi The Forest Moon of Endor was shot in and around Redwoods National Park many of the areas used in the film were private lands that have now been forested just about any hike through the many forests here will make you feel like an Ewok or budding Jedi (or Imperial Scout Trooper Some of the speeder bike backgrounds were shot in Cheatham Grove The tree in the image at the top of this story can be seen 58:55 into the movie which is where the above YouTube clip begins The crossed trees in the image at the top of this section are at 59:30 in the movie This is a helpful guide though keep in mind it’s hard to find exact locations because there’s no cell service in Cheatham Groove There’s a giant Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox This roadside tourist trap is on the 101 north of Klamath and there are clean restrooms and a gift shop The adjacent “Trees of Mystery” has an Ewok-style canopy walk though I haven’t done it as there’s a fee (it’s not part of the park) but they’re all privately owned and require a fee The Avenue of the Giants is a gorgeous and leisurely drive that parallels U.S Route 101 (aka “the 101” in my dialect) on a well-paved road with lots of pull-outs for parking Depending on which way you’re approaching the park(s) it’s a great way to introduce yourself to the massive trees Just cruising up and down the 101 offers some stunning sights while going between different parts of the park. There are lots of additional drives Drury Scenic Parkway parallel the 101 and offer an even better view Another easy one is the above-mentioned Cheatham Grove There are any number of other short hikes accessible by small parking lots and pullouts along the 101 and adjacent roads Definitely worth checking with a park ranger to see what they recommend for the time of year you’re visiting A curious elk near the Prairie Creek Visitor Center and often come out to graze in some of the many meadows The Appropriately named Elk Meadow north of Orick is a good place to stop Along some of the beaches you might see seals and maybe even sea lions Is this the Old Man Willow from Lord of the Rings There are still visitor’s centers which are worth visiting for up-to-date info about the park as well as ideas of what to do given the day’s weather and what’s accessible My friend Kay and I admiring the Van Duzen River from the Van Duzen River bridge near Cheatham .. Report outlines actions needed to restore and protect Big Basin Redwoods Año Nuevo and Butano state parks after CZU Lightning Complex Fire SANTA CRUZ — California State Parks and Save the Redwoods League today released a new Forest Management Strategy (FMS) aimed at restoring and protecting three state parks in Santa Cruz County following the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire The devastating wildfire burned through more than 24,000 acres in Big Basin Redwoods The FMS outlines critical actions needed to help the forests recover and to improve wildfire and climate resilience in the parks and neighboring communities “California State Parks is dedicated to revitalizing these unique ecosystems including our cherished Big Basin Redwoods,” said State Parks Santa Cruz District Superintendent Chris Spohrer “Our new Forest Management Strategy is a forward-thinking plan that balances ecological restoration with public safety ensuring these forests can thrive and be enjoyed for generations to come.” The 135-square-mile CZU Lightning Complex Fire burned through the three state parks and surrounding woodlands in August and September 2020 at a scale and intensity not seen in the Santa Cruz Mountains in several hundred years The blaze also left behind tens of thousands of standing dead trees and limbs throughout the forest which pose a safety risk for visitors and may become fuel for another destructive fire and threaten the survival of old-growth redwood forests across the parks multiyear field investigation into the parks’ post-fire recovery Save the Redwoods League and a broad coalition of partners worked together to develop the FMS plan that addresses these threats The FMS plan is designed to operate as a “living document” that can be updated and amended in response to changing environmental conditions and emerging scientific insights This approach will ensure that California State Parks can continue to respond effectively to the challenges posed by climate change and other ecological pressures “Restoring these parks is about more than just recovery from fire,” said Save the Redwoods League Director of Stewardship and Restoration Ben Blom “It’s about restoring this forest to make sure it’s able to endure future challenges and we need to take proactive steps to ensure the health and resilience of the forests for the future.” The FMS was created in partnership with California State Parks, Save the Redwoods League and Auten Resource Consulting with funding from Parks California and additional forest restoration expertise provided by the San Mateo Resource Conservation District, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) and many foresters and natural resource professionals Left: Big Basin Redwoods State Park along the southern portion of the Westridge Trail Middle: Año Nuevo State Park to the south of Whitehouse Canyon Road Right: Butano State Park north of the Butano Fire Road © Copyright document.write(new Date().getFullYear()); Contact: Patrick Taylor, (707) 951-5104 Download the NPS app to navigate the parks on the go. Beach/Water Access, Information Kiosk/Bulletin Board, Parking - Auto, Picnic Table, Scenic View/Photo Spot, Trailhead, Trash/Litter Receptacles Play Duration: 9 minutes 38 seconds9m Brought to you by Toowoomba Regional Council will soon receive a report on the environmental impact of allowing mountain bike tracks through the iconic Redwood Park. The council is due to make a final decision on the proposal at its meeting in January. But the Save Redwood Park steering committee's Scott McPhie told the ABC’s Belinda Sanders council’s decision may not be the final word on the issue. Toowoomba's Redwood Park(Supplied: Friends of Redwood Park) Download the ABC listen app to text and call your favourite live radio Contact: Lenard Ramacher and integrated management of living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components of the ecosystem Redwood National and State Parks is located in the western Klamath Mountains approximately 18 km (11 mi) south of the California–Oregon border in Del Norte and Humboldt Counties REDW protects approximately 56,251 hectares (138,999 acres) of vast prairies coastal redwood forests with virgin groves of ancient trees The North Coast region that is home to REDW is one of the most seismically active regions of the United States experiencing frequent earthquakes and rapid uplift rates that have led to landslides The park supports rich biodiversity and was designated a World Heritage Site on September 2 The geology of Redwood National and State Parks is predominantly composed of the Jurassic–Cretaceous Franciscan Complex an accretionary (material tectonically added to an existing landmass) assemblage of rocks that have been sheared and uplifted from the ocean floor as a result of plate tectonic processes (Bero et al Younger units of the park include the Miocene St Pliocene–Pleistocene Prairie Creek Formation and the late Pleistocene Battery Formation The three large river systems within REDW (Smith River and Redwood Creek) have eroded down through the bedrock to form deep gorges through the forest and mountainous terrain Redwood Creek follows the trace of the Grogan Fault in a northwest direction The river basin is long and narrow with many small Redwood National and State Parks are a part of the Pacific Border Physiographic Province and shares its geologic history and some characteristic geologic formations with a region that extends well beyond park boundaries Source: Data Store Saved Search 3154. To search for additional information, visit the Data Store A NPS Soil Resources Inventory project has been completed for Redwood National Park and State Parks and can be found on the NPS Data Store Source: Data Store Saved Search 3105. To search for additional information, visit the Data Store Redwood NP—Natural Features and Ecosystems Redwood NP—Environmental Factors Redwood NP—Photo Gallery Redwood NP—Park Home NPS—Geologic Time NPS—Explore Regional Geology NPS—Geology California Geological Survey Dear Reader,Unfortunately our comment platform isn\'t available at the moment due to issues with our paywall and authentication vendor The Austin Creek State Recreation Area is open to the public after more than four years of wildfire recovery efforts How much: Parking fees may apply; check with California State Parks for details but Gilliam Creek Trail remains closed due to fire damage Tom King and Mannings Flat campgrounds remain closed for infrastructure repairs Amenities: No public water sources or restrooms available Visitors should bring their own water and plan accordingly Cell service: Limited to none — plan ahead for navigation and safety Access road warning: The road to Austin Creek is steep Officials encourage visitors to report road conditions through SoCo Connect More Info: Visit parks.ca.gov/?page_id=452 or contact stewards@stewardscr.org For the first time in more than four years, hikers are returning to Austin Creek State Recreation Area, stepping onto trails closed since the Walbridge Fire of 2020 The air is thick with the scent of damp earth and redwood bark and wildflowers are already beginning to bloom — a sign of nature’s slow but steady renewal The fire, which tore through 55,000 acres of Sonoma County in August 2020 burned nearly two-thirds — 3,800 acres — of Austin Creek’s forests and grasslands just east of Guerneville It destroyed 156 homes and a total of 293 structures across the remote region footbridges and campsites were reduced to ash leaving behind a landscape so damaged that officials were uncertain when — or if — it would be safe for visitors again Unlike neighboring Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve Austin Creek’s recovery was delayed by its rugged terrain winding access road made treacherous by fire damage its backcountry off-limits as crews worked to bring it back from the brink Fire crews and conservation teams spent years clearing fallen trees stabilizing trails and assessing lingering hazards the park is finally welcoming visitors back “This reopening represents resilience — not just of the land but of the community that has come together to protect and restore it,” Justin Lindenberg executive director of Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods That resilience is evident across the park damaged bridges rebuilt and the expanse is slowly regaining its balance The reopening restores access to one of Sonoma County’s most strenuous and rewarding landscapes: a 6,000-acre backcountry wilderness accessible through Armstrong Redwoods The terrain here is harsher — wide-open hills rolling into dense forest its snaking trails long attracting hikers seeking solitude and challenge executive director of Redwood Trails Alliance “I moved from Marin to Sonoma County in 2020 and Austin Creek is a place I have been wanting to explore since I moved up here,” Boss said “I am really looking forward to getting out there exploring that area watching it come back to life and doing what we can to provide new recreational opportunities out there for the public.” The park’s network of trails winds through steep ridges revealing sweeping views of Sonoma County’s wilderness rises 1,500 feet from the shade of Armstrong Redwoods into open terrain dropping 500 feet through a mix of towering redwoods and sun-drenched slopes reminders of the fire’s devastation linger Gilliam Creek Trail in the park’s southeastern side remains closed and the Tom King and Mannings Flat campgrounds are still off-limits as restrooms undergo renovations The park has no public water sources or restrooms The road leading into the park has deteriorated significantly, especially near Vista Point and Schoolhouse Flat. Officials urge visitors to report road conditions through SoCo Connect a county tool used to advocate for infrastructure repairs The reopening coincides with the peak of wildflower season when Austin Creek’s grasslands explode into color often gives way to renewal — certain plant species thrive in burned landscapes and this year’s bloom is expected to be especially vibrant Douglas iris and lupines add shades of purple and blue along trails while Indian paintbrush and California poppies provide bursts of red and orange in open grasslands Buttercups and brodiaeas dot the landscape with yellow and violet blooms and shooting stars flourish in shaded woodland edges Peak bloom typically occurs March through May making trails like East Ridge and Pool Ridge prime spots for wildflower viewing Austin Creek is also home to Pond Farm Pottery a National Historic Landmark established in the 1940s by Marguerite Wildenhain The secluded workshop was originally envisioned as an artists’ colony but became a renowned ceramics school until it closed in the 1980s having helped shape the American studio pottery movement Guided tours of the site are offered on the third Saturday of each month from March through October A special fundraising event is planned there April 27 small bites and a silent auction of ceramic works While Austin Creek’s landscape is forever changed and new growth is emerging across the hills You can reach Staff Writer Alana Minkler at 707-526-8531 or alana.minkler@pressdemocrat.com. On X (Twitter,) @alana_minkler South Surrey's Redwood Park is about to get a little larger.  Surrey's mayor and councillors unanimously agreed to approve a motion that will allow the purchase of property on the park's northwestern border With a purchase and sale agreement already negotiated with the property's owners the move aligns with the city's long-term strategy of enlarging Redwood Park Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke noted at the meeting "This is for additional parkland purposes.. I think it's a great purchase," she said.  rectangle-shaped property is zoned one-acre residential and designated rural in the city's Official Community Plan with staff recommending the "highest and best use of the property would be as an improved rural residential holding property." Did you know that this country park in East London boasts a rather impressive collection of the world's largest tree The perfect place for a cosy winter stroll we’ve found a pretty gorgeous spot for it Havering Country Park is tucked away in East London, and is a park that’s well worth adding to your must-visit list it’s a glorious green space that transitions seamlessly between sprawling grassland and dense woodland What makes Havering Country Park particularly special is that it’s home to a rather impressive collection of California Redwoods towering trees planted throughout – most of which can be found lining a gorgeous walkway that leads up to the park: Wellingtonia Avenue It’s recently been revealed that these trees are actually becoming more common in England than they are in California due to the rising temperatures and climate change on the west coast of Ameria But having the opportunity to see 100 of them all in one place is surely worth journeying across the capital for You can then hop on the 375 bus from Romford station which will take you to Havering Green If you plan on driving to Havering Country Park be aware that there is no on-site parking available