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Step Inside Our Forests
Photo by Lee Williams
Step Into Our Parks
See these places through the eyes of the creatures that call them home.
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.
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.
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Life Amongst the Redwoods
Step into our redwood forests and see the world from the perspective of our parks’ many inhabitants.
Marbled Murrelet
Marbled murrelets are seabirds, feeding near shore within three miles of the coastline. They are commonly found inland during the summer breeding season, up to 50 miles from the ocean, where they nest in old-growth coniferous forests. ... Instead, they fly inland where they nest in old-growth forests.
Mystery of the Murrelets
Lisa Landers
Marbled Murrelet: First Flight
Banana Slugs
One of the most beloved and iconic native species within the old growth redwood forests is the Pacific Banana Slug. These slimy friends of the forest are the ultimate recyclers. Feeding on fallen leaves, mushrooms or even dead animals, they play a pivotal role in replenishing the soil. QUEST goes to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park near Santa Cruz on a hunt to find Ariolomax dolichophallus, a bright yellow slug with a very big personality.
KQED’s QUEST program highlighted the Banana Slugs of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. "Banana Slugs Unpeeled" features Interpreter, Daniel Williford.
Albino Redwoods,
Ghosts of the Forest
Pale ghosts that hide amid their gigantic siblings, only a few dozen albino redwood trees are known to exist. They are genetic mutants that lack the chlorophyll needed for photosynthesis. But how and why they survive is a scientific mystery. QUEST ventures into the deep canopy of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park near Felton, California to track down these elusive phantoms of the forest.
KQED’s QUEST program spotlighted the rare albino redwood trees of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. Here’s their well-produced video featuring the History Dude, Sandy Lydon, and Henry Cowell docent and Mountain Parks Foundation Past-President, Dave Kuty.
Photo by Dave Kuty
The Beauty of Our Parks
When you look beyond those amazing views of the forest in its immense glory and focus your attention on the individual elements of nature, you will be astounded at what you will find! Below is just a small sampling of what you might see on any given day in our parks.
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