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| Photo by Max Foster, in Redwoods Magazine. Brett Silver, California State Parks Acting
Sector Superintendent, points to the base of a
Titan where visitors have stripped vegetation
and exposed the gigantic tree’s roots. |
It's difficult to convey the redwoods' majesty and mystique in a mere children's book. Based on reviews of
The Forest in the Trees, I think responses have a lot to do with whether or not readers have actually experienced them. Folks in redwood country love it--for others it's apparently just OK. Only 10% of Americans have ever seen a big redwood up close. And maybe that's for the best.
Visitors have created unofficial trails
and trampled plants in Jedediah
Smith Redwoods State Park to get to
the Grove of Titans, some
of the largest and oldest coast redwoods.
Researchers stumbled upon the grove in
1998, and people eventually learned
the location despite efforts to protect
the area by keeping it secret. The network of trails is compacting the soil, exposing the root systems and creating a host of other serious problems.
"In response, Save the Redwoods League, California State Parks,
the National Park Service, and Redwood Parks Conservancy have
partnered to mitigate the damage and ongoing threats to the
Grove of Titans, while allowing for an unforgettable experience
in this magnificent grove. Work will begin in the fall of 2019 to
remove unsanctioned trails and rehabilitate the damaged habitat
and compacted and eroding soil. The project will also include
construction of elevated walkways to and around the grove to guide
visitors safely without damaging the understory, and installation
of restrooms and trash receptacles along Howland Hill Road. In
addition, interpretive materials and signage will tell the story of
the grove’s restoration, the ecosystem’s sensitivity, and the global
importance of this truly special place." -
Redwoods Magazine, Spring/Summer 2019
