Step Into Our Parks
Henry Cowell and Big Basin are home to some of the most remarkable and rarely seen wildlife, plants, and natural phenomena in California. From ancient albino redwoods to seabirds nesting in old-growth forests, there is always something extraordinary waiting to be discovered. Explore the stories and videos below and let the parks come to you.
See these places through the eyes of the creatures that call them home.
Life Amongst the Redwoods
Marbled Murrelet
The marbled murrelet is one of the most fascinating and mysterious birds in North America. A seabird that feeds near the coastline, it flies up to 50 miles inland during breeding season to nest in old-growth coniferous forests like those found in Big Basin. One year after the CZU Fire swept through 97 percent of Big Basin, a murrelet nest was discovered in the recovering forest, a reminder that even the most sensitive species can be resilient in the face of change.
Mystery of the Murrelets
Lisa Landers
Marbled Murrelet: First Flight
Banana Slugs
The Pacific Banana Slug is one of the most beloved and iconic natives of the old-growth redwood forest. These glistening friends of the forest are the ultimate recyclers, feeding on fallen leaves, mushrooms, and even dead animals to replenish the soil. They are essential to the health of the ecosystem and a favorite of visitors of all ages.
Banana Slugs Unpeeled: Science on the SPOT
Albino Redwoods: Ghosts of the Forest
Only a few dozen albino redwood trees are known to exist in the world. Pale genetic mutants that lack the chlorophyll needed for photosynthesis, they hide among their towering siblings in a state of quiet mystery. How and why they survive remains a scientific puzzle. Several of these rare trees can be found right here in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.
Albino Redwoods, Ghosts of the Forest: Science on the SPOT
The Beauty of Our Parks
When you look beyond the sweeping views and towering canopy and focus on the individual elements of nature, you will be astounded at what you find. The parks are full of small wonders on any given day.
