Featured Projects
Through dedicated efforts today, we can safeguard the majestic Redwoods, protect their diverse wildlife, and ensure their timeless beauty continues to inspire future generations.
Grove of Titans
The Grove of Titans project has enhanced the visitor experience while preserving ancient redwoods in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. A 1,300-foot elevated walkway was installed to protect the forest understory, damaging social trails were removed, and ADA-accessible parking and restrooms were added on Howland Hill Road. Interpretive materials are being developed to promote education and responsible exploration. These efforts protect the grove’s ecosystem while improving access, ensuring this natural wonder remains intact for future generations.
Titaneers
Volunteers stationed in the Grove of Titans and Stout Grove guide visitors, prevent vandalism, and monitor trail conditions. Their work helps protect ancient redwoods while maintaining sustainable public access.
Sue-Meg Rim Trail Project
After significant erosion to the Rim Trail in Sue-meg State Park, Redwood Parks Conservancy secured funding from the Coastal Conservancy to fund a new bridge and a partial reroute of the trail, providing visitors safe access to one of this park’s most popular hikes.
Explore the Sue-meg State Park Rim Trail Restoration Project ⟶
Artist-in-Residence Program
The Artist in Residence program, a partnership between Redwood Parks Conservancy and Redwood National and State Parks, selects artists to create inspired works while immersed in the ancient redwood forest. Each spring and fall, two artists are chosen from a pool of applicants to create works in their preferred medium to share with the public. Through art, this program fosters deeper connections to nature, enriching public appreciation and awareness of these majestic landscapes.
California Condor Restoration Project
The California condor restoration project is a groundbreaking effort to bring these endangered birds back to their historic range on California’s North Coast. Through grant funding and donations, Redwood Parks Conservancy has contributed to critical projects such as condor isolation pens to protect the birds from avian flu, specialized freezers to hold condor food, and pre-fabricated buildings for program management. These efforts support monitoring and safeguarding condors, ensuring a future for this iconic species in the redwood ecosystem.
Park Transportation
Redwood Parks Conservancy provides free transportation all individuals, including those with disabilities, to outdoor events within Redwood National and State Parks. This service helps remove barriers to park visitation, ensuring that everyone can experience and enjoy the natural beauty of these parks. By increasing accessibility, we foster an environment where all individuals have the opportunity to connect with nature.
NCCC AmeriCorps Project:
In partnership with Redwood Parks Conservancy, AmeriCorps NCCC, and Redwood National Park, a team of young volunteers restored backcountry bathrooms and maintained trails to improve visitor access and park sustainability in 2024. Another team will return this summer to focus on bridge repairs and additional trail maintenance, enhancing park infrastructure and promoting environmental stewardship.
Tolowa Dunes Stewards
Supported by Redwood Parks Conservancy, this group leads invasive species removal and habitat restoration at Tolowa Dunes State Park. Volunteers help clear European beachgrass, yellow bush lupine, gorse, and ice plant, improving wildlife habitat and engaging the community in long-term conservation efforts.
Del Norte Trail Alliance:
Working with Redwood Parks, this group maintains and develops local trails while engaging youth in outdoor recreation, including mountain biking and hiking, to promote safe and sustainable access.
Howland Hill Outdoor School
Serving over 1,300 students annually, Howland Hill Outdoor School connects school groups with nature through STEM activities, outdoor education, and immersive field trips. By fostering hands-on learning in the redwoods, the program inspires future stewards, ensuring that young learners develop a lasting appreciation for conservation and the natural world. RPC provides funding for staff and supplies to keep the Howland Hill Outdoor School program running year after year.
Wolf Creek Education Center
The Wolf Creek Education Center provides hands-on nature education for students visiting Redwood National and State Parks. With support from the National Park Foundation, RPC funds transportation for school groups, ensuring more students can access outdoor learning experiences.
Mill Creek Nursery
This nursery propagates native plants of the redwood ecosystem for ongoing restoration projects in Redwood National and State Parks, supporting habitat recovery and biodiversity.
North Coast Junior Lifeguard Program
The North Coast Junior Lifeguard Program teaches children in Del Norte and Humboldt counties essential skills for safe coastal recreation. The program serves over 400 North Coast youth each year. Through hands-on training, participants develop ocean safety awareness and rescue skills and learn CPR, first aid, and confidence in the water. They also explore coastal ecology through tide-pooling, nature walks, and interactive lessons, fostering a deeper connection to the environment while learning essential life-saving skills.
Park Connectivity
Redwood Parks Conservancy funds internet and communication services at visitor centers, ensuring access to park resources, emergency communication, and essential information that enhances the visitor experience.
Park Publications
RPC funds the creation and distribution of park guides and maps, providing visitors with essential information on trails, safety, history, and ecology. These resources help ensure informed exploration and foster appreciation for the redwoods.
Redwood National Park “50 Years Later” Photography Project by Dave Van de Mark
This project revisits locations originally photographed between 1965 and 1978, highlighting the impact of conservation and restoration. The updated images showcase the recovery of once-logged landscapes, demonstrating the long-term success of environmental protection efforts.
G.O.A.L. Program
The Greater Outdoor Access and Learning (G.O.A.L.) Program provides outdoor experiences for families, youth, and older adults. Participants explore ecology, wildlife, and cultural history through guided trips into the redwoods and surrounding environments, fostering stewardship and connection to nature.
Redwood Corps
In the summer of 2024, the Redwood Corps successfully cleared 20 miles of trails and removed invasive species from two acres of land in Redwood National and State Parks. While we are not currently implementing the Redwood Corps program this year, we remain committed to exploring future opportunities to support youth engagement and conservation efforts.
Experience Nature
Experience Nature: A Legacy of Connection (2023-2024)
From 2023 to 2024, the Experience Nature program brought thousands of visitors closer to the wonders of Redwood National and State Parks. Through guided hikes, interactive workshops, and inclusive experiences, this program fostered a deep connection with nature while ensuring accessibility for all.
Prairie Creek Visitor Center Restoration
In 2024, RPC funded vital maintenance and restoration efforts at the historic Prairie Creek Visitor Center, including the iconic chimney and fireplace. The project also replaced 5 interpretive panels and updated the deck behind the center.
Park Bridge and Trail Repair
In 2024, $26,939 in donations funded a new, temporary bridge at the start of the Karl Knapp Memorial Trail. The previous bridge required new footing and abutments to ensure safety and access.
Sue-Meg Interpretation
A $2,841 donation supported the reopening of the Sue-Meg State Park Visitor Center in 2024, covering the costs of preparing the center for interpretation and public access.
California State Parks Week Event Support
Each year in June, RPC supports State Parks Week across North Coast Redwoods State Parks, fostering community engagement and stewardship. These events celebrate nature, history, and conservation while connecting people to their parks through guided hikes, habitat restoration, arts & crafts, cultural activities, ocean and watershed recreation, and more.
Snowy Plover Habitat Enhancement
RPC supports the snowy plover habitat enhancement project at Gold Bluffs Beach in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. By spreading cleaned oyster shells in restored dune habitats, this project creates ideal nesting and roosting areas. In 2023, the first successful snowy plover nest since 2004 hatched and fledged two young. This ongoing effort improves habitat for this threatened species.
Silverspot Butterfly Recovery
This project at Tolowa Dunes State Park restores habitat for California’s only remaining population of the Oregon silverspot butterfly. Efforts include removing invasive European beachgrass, planting nectar sources and violets, and preparing the area for future butterfly reintroduction from a captive rearing program.