When you think of Redwoods, the mind easily conjures an image of the oldest and tallest trees on the planet. You know exactly what they look like even if you’ve never visited Northern California, but the experience of walking among these ancient giants is truly in a class by itself. A primal and pristine wilderness of vast prairies, woodlands, riverways, and rugged coastline leads to countless adventure opportunities that outnumber the days you’ll have to experience what the National Park Service, California State Parks, and the Redwood Parks Conservancy (RPC) work together to manage and restore. We’re hopeful what Wild Tribute helped contribute to the RPC respective to a matching donation promise during their 2020 fundraising year will bring light to the visitor experience. The RPC has a huge circle of responsibility that covers Redwood National Park, as well as eight additional state parks, state historic parks, and national recreation areas. The resources needed to support educational outreach and visitors services within this vast footprint are sweeping. It’s with great delight we're able to do our part in helping to bring to fruition a few of these initiatives. As the wise say, even when you work among titans, it’s the little things that count.
Speaking of titans, in the heart of the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park lies a group of redwood trees that contain what is thought to be the oldest and tallest trees in the world - the Grove of Titans. The Grove of Titans was the beneficiary of our 4 the Parks donations last year, and we were happy to learn this effort was compounded this year.
The North Coast Junior Lifeguard Program affords young people between the ages of 8-16 to participate in summer trainings that teach water safety, ocean recreation, and life saving techniques. Funds from the RCP are employed to help carry this mission, enabling hundreds of kids every summer in Humboldt and Del Norte counties to learn first-hand how to navigate the rough Pacific waters safely. The value of education! In fact, the program recently had three graduates that rescued a couple of distressed swimmers off the coast of Trinidad State Beach. What better tangible result can you plausibly ask for?
Patrick’s Point State Park comprises a total of one square mile, beholden to a lushly forested bluff adjacent to the Pacific Ocean. Rich in cultural heritage, 1 of the 5 indigenous communities in the region - the Yurok Tribe - dedicated their Sumeg Village site to educate local Yurok youth and share their culture with the public. Traditional family homes, a sweat house, a dance house, changing house, and canoes were constructed from locally harvested redwood, using modern tools but leveraging traditional methods. Donations from the RPC funded the hiring of two park educators, both young members of the Yurok tribe. The village also extends its reach as the basecamp for cultural and educational initiatives for neighboring tribes: Karuk, Wiyot, Hoopa and Tolowa.
The protected temperate rainforests, beaches, and grasslands along Northern California’s coast are unique in their own right. Often taken for granted, the natural diversity and native culture enveloped by primal giants warrants the impressive collaboration between the RNP, California State Parks, and the National Park Service, which in itself is something we celebrate. We're honored to partner not only with the RNP, but also with you through your generous 4 the Parks donations, to be part of this legacy. Together, we are making difference 4 The Parks.
Since 1977 the Redwood Parks Conservancy has upheld its mission as the official non-profit partner to its coalition of National and State Parks by working to foster understanding, enjoyment, and stewardship through education, visitor services, and support of its agency partners who manage our public lands.
