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Step Inside Our Forests

Photo by Lee Williams

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.*

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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

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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.