Redwood Review: August 2024

A summer of fun and purpose here in the redwoods

100+ volunteers rally for beaches after 4th of July holiday

Our Annual 5th of July Beach Clean-Up was a success with 100+ volunteers rallying together to collect over 2,500 lbs of trash before it could enter our sensitive ocean.

RPC’s Volunteer & Transportation Manager, Autumn Subers, says, “Our volunteers donated over 200 hours of their time to help pick up over 2,000 pounds of firework debris and garbage left behind by people camping and shooting off fireworks illegally from the beaches of Crescent City. Although it’s a heartbreaking situation, we are so proud of our community members who came together in the name of stewardship!“

Thank you to our partners in this clean-up Smith River Alliance, California State Parks North Coast Redwoods, Caltrans District 1, Redwood National and State Parks (NPS), Del Norte Solid Waste Authority and more! We could not have done it without the dedication and enthusiasm of our volunteers and partners alike. Thank you!

Adventures in the Grove of Titans

Last month, our incredible team of volunteer interpreters donated 175 hours of their time on the Grove of Titans trail! The Titaneers have welcomed over 20,000 visitors to the grove just this year alone! Titaneer #1, Doug Kerr, celebrated his 73rd birthday out on the trail— his fellow Titaneers presented him with a cake, balloon and song to celebrate (pictured above right)!

The Titaneers also lent a helping hand at the Tolowa Cultural Sharing and Honoring Ceremony on July 13th in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park (pictured above left).

An attentive group of young students in wetsuits gather around a park ranger on a sandy beach, engaging eagerly in an educational outdoor activity with the ocean waves gently breaking in the background and a rocky island visible in the distance.

Junior Lifeguards expand reach with grant

Grant funding plays an important role in the support we provide for projects here in the redwoods. RPC secured an $87,000 grant from the Coastal Conservancy which enabled the North Coast Junior Lifeguards to provide comprehensive programs for local youth. The State Coastal Conservancy’s Explore the Coast (ETC) grant program seeks to provide coastal experiences for people and communities who face challenges to accessing or enjoying the coast (“ETC Priority Communities”).

During winter and spring, four State Parks staff members, including two Interpreters and two Lifeguards, coordinated outreach efforts and finalized plans to ensure enriching experiences on the redwood coast. The “Connected to the Coast” program, held every Wednesday, involved 15 to 32 school kids aged 8-16. Participants learned about the cultural significance of the Lagoon system from tribal interpreters and engaged in hands-on experiences at the Chah-pekw O’ Ket-toh Visitor Center. The program also included water safety education and kayaking on Stone Lagoon.

The Crescent City Junior Lifeguards, coordinated with the Del Norte Office of Education, offered a week-long program in March, free of charge, for participants from ETC priority communities. The grant covered all staffing costs.

The Del Norte Tribal Surf Fest on May 18th and 19th featured six Lifeguards and a Coast Guard rescue swimmer, collaborating with ‘All Are We’ to provide surf lessons and water safety activities.

The North Coast Junior Lifeguards summer program, one of the largest in the state, serves over 500 kids at Trinidad and Crescent Beach. The grant helped make the program more inclusive, reaching a diverse group of participants.

Grant funding plays an important role in the support we provide for projects here in the redwoods. Many of these grants would not be possible without the support of our donors in the form of match funds and donations. Help us do more by donating today!