Institute for Ecological Tourism Department of Natural Resources Planning

Institute for Ecological Tourism Department of Natural Resources Planning & Interpretation
Humboldt State University, Arcata, California

Ancient Redwood Forest

Sequoia sempervirens

Coastal redwoods grow in a thin strip along the northern California coast, where fog moderates the summer heat and supplies moisture during the dry season. These magnificent ancient trees are the tallest living things on Earth, growing up to 350 feet height. Some trees are in excess of 2,000 years of age, and contain the world's highest accumulation of biomass (amount of organic matter within a given area). Other trees in this forest include Sitka spruce, Douglas fir, big leaf maple, and tanoak, growing among a carpet of ferns, and wildflowers. Within this densely-shaded environment are standing dead trees (snags) and fallen logs that "nurse" the endless life cycle of the forest.

Significant Species	Season	Location
Marbled Murrelet	Resident (dawn & dusk)	Del Norte, Prairie Creek, Redwood National Park, Humboldt Redwoods
Northern Spotted Owl	Resident	Prairie Creek, Redwood National Park, Humboldt Redwoods
Northern Flying Squirrel	Resident	Prairie Creek, Jed Smith, Redwood National Park, Humboldt Redwoods
Roosevelt Elk	Resident, (calving in Spring rut in Fall)	Prairie Creek, Redwood National Park, King Range, Sinkyone Wilderness

Pacific Yew	Resident	Del Norte, Prairie Creek, Redwood National Park, Humboldt Redwoods
Pacific Azalea and California Rhododendron	flowering in Spring	Prairie Creek, Jed Smith, Del Norte, Redwood National Park
Western Trillium and Calypso orchid	flowering in Spring	Prairie Creek, Jed Smith, Del Norte, Redwood National Park, King Range, Sinkyone Wilderness

Beaches

Welcome

For more information contact:

Michael Sweeney, Director

Institute for Ecological Tourism, NRPI
Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA 95521

phone: 707/826-4147
email: ecotour@humboldt.edu

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