Outreach Archives

With ‘intentional forests,’ hope grows on trees

August 15, 2021 by Marie Antoine 12 Comments

Prioritizing long-lived giant trees could maximize the carbon sequestration and biodiversity of city parks and other green spaces.

By Marie E. Antoine and Stephen C. Sillett

Current environmental crises can seem overwhelming in scale. Confronting climate change and conserving biodiversity will require huge changes in how humans manage the landscape and in our use of fossil fuels. But one part of the solution is growing all around us, we call them intentional forests.

Our team studies trees and forests. Coast redwood, giant sequoia, Douglas-fir, Sitka spruce — the four tallest conifers have been our main focus for over two decades. This work has helped us understand how, though trees alone can’t save the world, they can help.

Find a Park and Find Our Books

June 6, 2018 by Backcountry Press Leave a Comment

Support the non-profits that support the parks

It is almost summer and that means visiting our natural wonders. We wanted to highlight a few of the organizations that carry our books so that you might consider supporting them this summer.

Find a Park and Find Our Books — Find a park, and find our books!

Lassen Association

Over 75 Years of Support

The Lassen Association has been supporting Lassen Volcanic National Park since 1939. Your purchase from the Lassen Association goes to support of the educational, and interpretive programs at Lassen Volcanic National Park.

LA is a membership-based co-operating association with over 200 members. Membership fees along with revenues from the Lassen Association Bookstore at the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center and the Loomis Museum support programs and projects at the park which cannot be funded with tax dollars.

Crater Lake Natural History Association

The Crater Lake Natural History Association (CLNHA) is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt organization, established for the benefit of Crater Lake National Park and Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve under a memorandum of understanding with the National Park Service. A board of directors governs the operation of bookstores at Crater Lake National Park and Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve. The board sets policy and authorizes the expenditure of profits back to the park and monument for NPS approved projects that increases the knowledge of the natural history of Crater Lake and Oregon Caves or aides in their interpretation for the benefit of visitors. An Executive Director oversees day-to-day store operations and is responsible for all aspects of CLNHA, including personnel management, sales, ordering, accounting, and product development. The director works in close contact with National Park Service personnel, and is aided by a sales manager and sales clerks who often act as unofficial park interpreters.

Redwood Parks Conservancy

Redwood Parks Conservancy (RPC) is the non-profit partner for your public lands along the North Coast. We were established to foster understanding, enjoyment, and stewardship of your public lands through educational outreach, visitor services, and support of our partners entrusted with the care of these wonderous public lands.

Yosemite Conservancy

Thanks to your support, we provide grants to Yosemite National Park based on the highest-priority needs of the park. Your dedication has funded the restoration of the trail to Lower Yosemite Fall, electronic bear-monitoring equipment to keep bears safe, life-changing youth programs and so much more.

Discover Your Northwest

Discover Your Northwest promotes the discovery of Northwest public lands, enriches the experience of visitors, and encourages stewardship of these special places today and for generations to come.

We envision more residents and visitors as active stewards who understand and care for the unique natural and cultural heritage of Northwest public lands.

Western National Parks Association

WNPA is a nonprofit education partner of the National Park Service. WNPA supports more than 70 parks across the West, developing products, services, and programs that enrich the visitor experience.

Report Poaching

May 7, 2018 by Backcountry Press Leave a Comment

Click to download and print a 8.5 x 11 flyer.

Dudleya Farinosa are being poached along the California Coast.

Recently, it was announced that the California Department of Fish and Wildlife caught folks poaching Dudleya farinosa from coastal Mendocino and Humboldt counties. Report Dudleya poaching!

The Southwest Dudleya Dilemma

The genus Dudleya is in the family Crassulaceae which survives in areas that see dry and/or cold periods, often coupled with water scarcity. In California, Crassulaceae is well represented by charismatic genera like Sedum and Dudleya. Both genera have an uncanny ability to store resources, either in leaves or in the root-and-stem-like caudex, to survive sub-optimal climate variations. The succulent perennials in the genus Dudleya(about 45 species) are restricted to southwest North America and are highly prized in the succulent horticultural trade.

Nature lovers have been long-fascinated by natural rock gardens decorated with Dudleya and Sedum. These plant are often locally abundant, highly charismatic, and easy to transport so it is understandable why they are popular with collectors.

Here are some ideas for how we protect California’s unique flora:

Watch beaches for poaching activity and report it to CalTIP.
Promote leave no trace ethics.
Encourage collectors to purchase plants from certified nurseries.
Obscure geoprivacy settings on databases like iNaturalist and Calflora.
Report poaching! From CalTip: Anyone who believes they are witness to unlawful poaching or pollution activity is encouraged to call CalTIP, CDFW’s confidential secret witness program, at (888) 334-2258 or send a text to tip411. Both methods allow the public to provide wildlife officers with factual information to assist with investigations. Callers may remain anonymous, if desired, and a reward can result from successful capture and prosecution.

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