Foundation Document Overview, Redwood

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE • U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Foundation Document Overview Redwood National and State Parks California

Contact Information For more information about the Redwood National and State Parks Foundation Document, contact: [email protected] or (707) 465-7335 or write to: Superintendent, Redwood National and State Parks, 1111 Second Street, Crescent City, CA 95531 Description

The diverse ecosystems of northern California have supported human life for thousands of years. The Chilula, Hupa, Tolowa, and Yurok peoples have been intimately connected to the land within Redwood National and State Parks since time immemorial. Descendants of these original residents continue to live nearby and help guide the parks’ interpretation of the ancestors’ lifeways. European American settlers brought vast changes to established patterns of human influence on the landscape, bringing with them © John Chao new forms of ranching, farming, industry, government, and commerce. Later mechanization and industry practices nearly decimated old-growth redwood forests, which spurred Redwood National and State Parks (the parks) in extreme a lengthy environmental movement to save the redwoods. northwestern California, consist of four units: Redwood Redwood National Park’s museum collection chronicles all National Park (under the jurisdiction of the National Park of these aspects of park history and culture. Park staff and Service) and three state parks—Prairie Creek Redwoods, Del partners work to preserve and interpret sites, buildings, and Norte Coast Redwoods, and Jedediah Smith Redwoods State landscapes that reflect this evolving chronology of human Parks (under the jurisdiction of the California Department of influence on the land with places such as the Lyons Ranches Parks and Recreation). Together, these parks in Del Norte and Historic District, Bald Hills Archeological District, Me-weehl Humboldt Counties encompass some 131,983 acres, 71,715 ‘O Le-gehl (Gann’s Prairie), Prairie Creek Fish Hatchery, and acres of which are federally owned and fall within Redwood the World War II B-71 Radar Station. National Park. This national park system unit stretches about 50 miles in length with 37 miles of coastline and varies in The National Park Service and California Department of width from 0.5 mile to 8 miles. Park headquarters are in Parks and Recreation jointly manage Redwood National and Crescent City, California, which is equidistant (350 miles) State Parks under a cooperative management agreement first between San Francisco, California, and Portland, Oregon. signed in 1994. This agreement was designed to streamline Five information centers provide orientation, information, management of the parks by allowing staff, funds, and and trip-planning advice. resources to be shared and used by both agencies. As part of the agreement, both agencies follow a single general Early efforts of the Save the Redwoods League and other management plan / general plan, completed in 2000. conservationists led to the creation of California state parks Approximately 1,400 acres of federal land and waters under to protect the area’s remaining old-growth coast redwoods the jurisdiction of the National Park Service within the parks from extensive logging that threatened the existence of are also within the boundary of the Yurok Reservation. The the oldest and largest trees. Prairie Creek Redwoods State Yurok Tribe and the Department of the Interior are entering Park, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, and Jedediah into an agreement that will direct the National Park Service Smith Redwoods State Park were developed in the 1920s and the Yurok Tribe to engage in a joint comprehensive and Redwood National Park was established in 1968 and management plan for the area within both the Yurok and expanded in 1978. Together, these parks preserve about national park boundaries. 40,000 acres of old-growth redwood forests, which represent most of the last remaining old-growth coast redwood groves on Earth. In addition, the parks protect the world’s largest coast redwood forests and its tallest living trees. Important not only for their massive size, coast redwood trees anchor one of the most productive ecosystems on Earth. This environment is highly differentiated and provides habitat for numerous plants and animal species, from the forest canopy down to the forest floor. Park Map

To Oregon 10mi 16km

TOLOWA DUNES STATE PARK Gasquet Mountain To Oregon Caves NM 63mi 101km

L S and Grants Pass 77mi 124km m 2620ft

w i 799m t Patrick Creek h Kellogg Road e

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a i k e v v e e i 101 r Smith River

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Signal Peak 199 Sm i 2055ft d H th a oo ig N w h w e 626m d a Re wa l k o a y W T Lake Earl a r t

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Simpson-Reed R k T d N WILDLIFE AREA Grove R oa U d O Lake Earl State El k V M Wildlife Area a l ley 199 Hiouchi Information Center Headquarters oad O R (summer only) U l TOLOWA DUNES d O Y STATE PARK M Florence Keller I il County Park K l uth S R So Fork I

o R S a d o d a USFS Dead a o JEDEDIAH SMITH Hiouchi d Point R boat Lake St. George REDWOODS Stout access 101 y Craigs Creek Mountain e l Grove l STATE PARK Douglas Park 2195ft a 669m V Road

Washington Blvd k d l oa Northcrest E R Castle Dr Hill Howland Hill Rd Rock motor homes and CRESCENT CITY land Little S ow trailers not advised o H Bald u t Information Center Hills h Park Headquarters 2nd and K Streets SMITH RIVER

Battery Point Road Mill Creek Fork NATIONAL Lighthouse Humboldt horse trails Anchor RECREATION AREA Pier Way E as t Six Rivers National Forest Fo rk Smith Crescent Beach E Mi reek W l C n l Canthook Mountain trailers not advised beyond d e e R Vista Point 2719ft Crescent Beach picnic area r s o t t 829m

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possibility of escape. S c miles upstream compose the e Fern Canyon PRAIRIE n Yurok Reservation. ic

CREEK C P Tsunami Hazard Zone r k REDWOODS e w If you feel an earthquake, e k y STATE PARK think “tsunami!” Go to

high ground or inland and Gold Bluffs Beach l e r stay there. r Big Tree Wayside a Cal-Barrel Road B l- trailers prohibited a Prairie Creek C Rd Heavy Surf Visitor Center Very large, powerful “sneaker” S waves can occur at any time. F F They will quickly pull you into U L

B the water and survival is Elk Prairie k e unlikely. Never turn your back re D y C on the ocean. L Ma O

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trailers prohibited trailers not advised D Cliffs are likely to crumble and R I

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rocks, walking below cliffs is T Glen ra il dangerous. Keep away! Trail Lady Bird Johnson R Grove E T L

O Falling Limbs H Tree limbs can fall during high Kuchel Visitor Center winds, especially in old-growth Trailer parking Redwood Creek Trailhead forests. Permit required for overnight travel Orick Trailer parking

Redwood Creek Orick Horse R Trailhead e d B w a l Freshwater o d o k Lagoon e d re

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y o STATE RECREATION AREA Big m a d o NATIONAL PARK Lagoon T B r B i d R I g D Big Lagoon Beach e G E Rodgers Peak

and County Park C 2745ft r C Childs Hill Schoolhouse Peak e R 837m e 3097ft E Prairie k E 944m K

R Weitchpec I PATRICK’S POINT 101 D G Lyons STATE PARK E

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c i North r Private Land Redwood National Unpaved road Fishing t and State Parks a Some lands within the parks P remain private property. boundary Wheelchair-accessible Respect landowners’ rights; State Park Trail Boat access do not trespass. R boundary e dw Campground Interpretive trail oo 0 5 Kilometers d Old-growth coast Picnic area 0 5 Miles Backcountry campsite redwoods (free permit required) C

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k TRINIDAD STATE BEACH Trinidad April 2013 To Eureka 21mi 33km Purpose Significance

Significance statements express why Redwood National Redwood National and State Parks and State Parks resources and values are important enough share in the perpetual stewardship of to merit national park unit designation. Statements of ancient coast redwood forests, streams, significance describe why an area is important within coastal ranges, and coastline; for the a global, national, regional, and systemwide context. These statements are linked to the purpose of the park enjoyment, education, and inspiration unit, and are supported by data, research, and consensus. of people forever; with a commitment Significance statements describe the distinctive nature of to watershed-scale restoration of the park and inform management decisions, focusing efforts damaged landscapes. on preserving and protecting the most important resources and values of the park unit.

• Nearly half of the world’s remaining old-growth coast redwood forest, including some of the oldest and tallest trees in the world, are found in Redwood National and State Parks. These forests provide an important refuge for a diverse community of plants and animals and help protect the world’s climate through their ability to sequester massive quantities of carbon.

• Redwood National and State Parks are the ancestral • The intensity of 20th century old-growth redwood lands of the Chilula, Hupa, Tolowa, and Yurok people. logging spurred controversy and unparalleled Through their resilience, the Hupa, Tolowa, and Yurok conservation efforts that resulted in the establishment of people remain on their homelands today, and continue the three state parks and a national park that comprise to rely on the landscape and its resources for spiritual, Redwood National and State Parks. The contrast cultural, and physical sustenance as they have done since between the old-growth forests, visibly damaged time immemorial. ecosystems, and ongoing restoration efforts provide a stunningly graphic example of the evolution of resource • Redwood National and State Parks provide practices and our nation’s conservation values; this opportunities to experience and draw inspiration from example fosters for the public a deeper understanding the natural sounds and scenic views including subtle of, and appreciation for, the protection of complex and variations of light and fog found within the natural fragile ecological systems. cathedral of old-growth redwood forests. The wilderness character, exceptional air quality, and dark night skies • The 1978 Redwood Act that expanded Redwood found within this landscape enhance and contribute to National Park and the 2002 expansion of Del Norte the quality of this experience. Coast Redwoods State Park established a precedent for park land protection by prescribing comprehensive • Redwood National and State Parks’ unique combination management for watershed-scale restoration and of powerful flooding events and unstable geology, recovery of damaged ecosystems extending beyond violent earthquakes, and tsunamis generated by uplift park boundaries. The internationally recognized near the intersection of three tectonic plates, make it one restoration efforts of Redwood National and State Parks of the most rugged and wild landscapes along the Pacific have continued to evolve and set a standard for building Coast of the continental United States. ecological resilience through cooperative management. Fundamental Resources and Values

Fundamental resources and values are those features, systems, processes, experiences, stories, scenes, sounds, smells, or other attributes determined to merit primary consideration during planning and management processes because they are essential to achieving the purpose of the park and maintaining its significance.

• Ancient Redwoods. Redwood National and State Parks preserve some of the largest contiguous ancient coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) stands in the world. Nearly half of the world’s remaining old-growth redwoods and several of the world’s tallest trees are found within parks’ boundaries.

• Physical Processes and Water Resources. A constant interplay of physical, climatic, and oceanic processes shape the parks’ landscapes of rugged coastlines, wild rivers and streams, rich estuaries, and inland marshes and lagoons. These landscapes showcase the diversity of the parks’ water resources and the transformative properties ©Ashala Tylor of crashing waves, fierce winds, and the geological instability of the coast. • Ecological Integrity. Since the 1978 Redwood National • Ecosystem Diversity. The almost 132,000 acres (53,400 Park Expansion Act, many of Redwood National and hectares) in Redwood National and State Parks represent State Parks’ efforts have been dedicated to revitalizing or a mosaic of incredibly varied but interconnected restoring degraded lands on a watershed scale. Increasing ecological communities that house an astonishing level ecological resiliency and maintaining habitat connectivity of biodiversity. Old-growth redwood forests, second- is crucial for preserving native biodiversity, threatened growth stands, oak woodlands, open meadows, tidal and and endangered species, and ecosystem function. estuarine zones, and the park’s rivers and coast and their associated wildlife contribute to the park’s broad range of • Scenic Resources and Natural Sounds. The parks’ flora and fauna. natural environment provides benefits to visitor experiences found in Redwood National and State Parks. Clean air, dark night skies, scenic daytime experiences, and natural soundscapes contribute to visitor appreciation and experience of healthy biological communities and feelings of solitude.

• Traditional Culture and Use. The Chilula, Hupa, Tolowa, and Yurok peoples have been intimately connected to the land included within Redwood National and State Parks since time immemorial and continue their traditional use of resources for spiritual, cultural, and physical sustenance. Redwood National and State Parks recognize and respect the continued connection of American Indians to this landscape. Fundamental Resources and Values

• Cultural Sites and Landscapes. Sites and landscapes • Partners in Stewardship. Partnerships with other public found throughout the parks show the pre-contact, historic, agencies, federally recognized tribal governments, local and continued cultural use of land and resources by local communities, and other organizations and private entities Chilula, Hupa, Tolowa, and Yurok people. Nineteenth and are vitally important for the successful management, 20th century landscapes are representative of settlement, maintenance, and improvement of ecological integrity military developments, economic development, and and cultural authenticity at Redwood National and conservation movements in the region. State Parks. Since 1994, the National Park Service and the California State Parks have jointly managed the four • Science and Education. The rich biodiversity and parks that comprise Redwood National and State Parks old-growth redwood ecosystem of the parks provide in a national model for collaborative management and research and educational opportunities relating to old- landscape-scale resource protection. growth redwoods, threatened and endangered species, ecosystem interconnectivity, resilience, restoration, • Opportunities for People to Connect to the and the effects of climate change. Redwood National Landscape. Redwood National and State Parks and State Parks foster a learning laboratory for all encourages visitors and local residents to interact with ages through an extensive education program aimed the landscape and build personal connections to park at creating new environmental stewards and supports resources facilitated by a variety of active and passive research to understand and manage the natural resources recreational pursuits. The ancient redwood forest evokes a of the parks. The parks’ education programs play a nearly universal experience that provokes the human spirit, significant, ongoing role in the development of national but challenges human description. environmental education practices.

Interpretive themes are often described as the key stories or concepts that visitors should understand after visiting a park—they define the most important ideas or concepts communicated to visitors about a park unit. Themes are derived from—and should reflect—park purpose, significance, resources, and values. The set of interpretive themes is complete when it provides the structure necessary for park staff to develop opportunities for visitors to explore and relate to all of the park significances and fundamental resources and values.

• The ancient redwood forest evokes a nearly universal experience that provokes the human spirit, but challenges human description.

• As an icon of and inspiration for the modern conservation movement, the coastal redwood forest represents a living example of our changing and sometimes competing cultural and social values over time.

• These rare forests, watersheds, and marine environments are home to an interrelated biotic community of plants and animals and provide increasingly important refuges for a number of rare and endangered species. The restoration of these ecosystems offers hope for the future of these irreplaceable species and the human capacity for inspiration, stewardship, and sustainability.

• The journeys of the Chilula, Hupa, Tolowa, and Yurok peoples, who continue to inhabit these rich and diverse lands, reveal cultural clashes of horrific proportion and stories of human ©Jon Parmentier resilience that provide enduring lessons about human rights, resourcefulness, interdependence, and respect for life.

• One of the most geologically active areas in the world, the dynamic landscapes of Redwood National and State Parks are shaped by powerful earth movement, dramatic water events, and a changing climate. These same forces continue to shape the entire Earth and instill in us an awareness of the interconnectedness, overwhelming power, and resilience of nature.

• Seeking a better life, settlers arriving on the wave of the largest mass migration in US history—the gold rush—carved a home in these rugged but resource-rich lands through both convergence and conquest, bringing titanic change to the land and its peoples, fueling unprecedented growth but leaving future © Alison Taggart-Barone generations longing for that which is irreplaceable. Cover Photo © Alison Taggart-Barone