Publications
Crescent City in Living Waves: Space, Time, People, and Minds on the Southern Cascadian Coast
Crescent City, California, stands at the intersection of geological hazard and human resilience, offering a critical case study on the southern Cascadia margin. The region faces a 37% chance of an M >= 8.0 earthquake and tsunami within 50 years, yet its history reveals cycles of extraction, disaster, and adaptation—from Indigenous Tolowa Dee-ni’ stewardship to modern conservation efforts like the 2023 Yurok–Tolowa Dee-ni’ Indigenous Marine Stewardship Area. The study synthesizes space, time, people, and ideas, integrating paleoseismic data, historical records, and governance frameworks to explore nested risks in this coastal community. A reproducible, open-source approach ensures transparency, while the narrative spans ecological, economic, and political dimensions, from 19th-century genocide to contemporary resilience strategies.
A Walk to the Park: Trail Connectivity in Orick, California
A proposed connector trail aims to link the unincorporated community of Orick, California, with Redwood National and State Parks, offering residents and tourists a pedestrian and cycling route. This study identifies key constraints hindering the trail's implementation: insufficient funding, absence of a project proponent, and challenging terrain. Collaboration among organizations, community engagement, and strategic prioritization are critical for success. The research, based on planning documents, field observations, participant observation, and stakeholder interviews, highlights competing priorities in rural development as a recurring obstacle. Future revisits to this project could yield better outcomes with increased resources, capacity, and focus.
Old growth forests: A blueprint for restoring mycorrhizal fungi in second-growth and thinned coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) stands
Second-growth coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) stands, particularly those with encroaching Pinaceae species like Sitka spruce and Douglas-fir, exhibit significantly reduced richness and abundance of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) compared to old-growth forests. This study, conducted in Redwood National and State Parks, found that while ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) prevalence did not differ between old- and second-growth stands, AMF were nearly absent in the latter due to the dominance of EMF-dependent Pinaceae species. Thinning efforts failed to restore AMF communities, which remained closer to unthinned second-growth levels rather than old-growth benchmarks. The broader fungal community showed only marginal differences across stand types, underscoring the need for targeted restoration strategies—such as inoculum introduction—to recover mycorrhizal diversity to pre-logged conditions.
Rocky intertidal monitoring: 2021–2022 results from Redwood National and State Parks
Monitoring of rocky intertidal ecosystems in Redwood National and State Parks from 2021 to 2022 revealed dynamic changes in populations of key species, including sessile invertebrates, algae, ochre sea stars (Pisaster ochraceus), surfgrass (Phyllospadix spp.), and sea palm (Postelsia palmaeformis). The study, part of the Multi-Agency Rocky Intertidal Network (MARINe) and funded by the National Park Service, employed permanent plots and transects to track annual trends. While populations fluctuated, the data contribute to long-term biodiversity assessments, with broader analyses available in 5-year trend reports. The study also incorporated optional MARINe protocols, though some measurements may be discontinued in future years.
Analysis of stream types in Klamath Network parks based on physical habitat and chemical characters
A comprehensive analysis of stream types across five Klamath Network parks, including Redwood National and State Parks, reveals distinct groupings based on physical habitat and chemical characteristics. Using multivariate exploratory analyses and Similarity Profile methods, streams were categorized into eight metric categories such as channel morphology, habitat complexity, large woody debris, riparian characters, slope and sinuosity, stream substrate, water chemistry, and water quality. The study identified statistically significant similarities among streams within and across parks, suggesting shared stressors and management practices. This foundational work paves the way for future analyses incorporating biological data to support trend reports.
Land Cover Summary Statistics for Klamath Network Park Units
A comprehensive dataset of land cover summary statistics for six National Park Service Klamath Network park units, including Redwood National and State Parks, has been developed. This dataset integrates multiple high-resolution sources such as the Multi-Resolution Land Characteristics Consortium products in the National Land Cover Database (NLCD) and the USGS's LCMAP raster dataset, providing land cover classifications at three scales: Level 1, modified Anderson Level 2, and Natural versus Converted land cover. The most recent versions of these datasets were utilized to generate accurate statistics for park units and custom analysis areas, supporting the NPS Inventory and Monitoring Program and environmental assessments.
Landbird monitoring: 2023 results from Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve, Lava Beds National Monument, and Redwood National and State Parks
Landbird monitoring in 2023, conducted by the Klamath Inventory and Monitoring Network (KLMN) in partnership with the Klamath Bird Observatory, revealed significant insights into bird populations across three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve, Lava Beds National Monument, and Redwood National and State Parks. The study, now in its 15th year, used standardized avian sampling methods, including point counts, mist netting, species checklists, and habitat surveys. Notably, the analysis of relative abundance models and constant effort mist netting data highlighted that species of conservation importance were among the most abundant at each park. While survey locations at Redwood National and State Parks were reduced to 15 out of 30 for safety reasons, the ongoing monitoring continues to provide critical data on landbird status and long-term trends. These findings contribute valuable information for regional bird conservation efforts, particularly when integrated with broader Klamath Bird Monitoring Network data.
Editor’s Corner
A collaborative effort between academics, public historians, and California State Parks has successfully addressed the controversial legacy of eugenicist Madison Grant within Redwood National and State Parks. The initiative, launched in 2020, led to the removal of a plaque honoring Grant and the renaming of the Madison Grant Forest and Elk Refuge, part of Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. This multidisciplinary approach, involving scholars from universities such as UC Santa Barbara and Southeast New Mexico College, demonstrated how public engagement and activism can reshape historical narratives in conservation spaces. The process also highlighted broader state-wide efforts to re-examine offensive or inaccurate place names and monuments through the 'Re-examining Our Past Initiative.' Additionally, the issue introduces two new special editors with expertise in film, digital media, and museum exhibitions, signaling a shift toward more inclusive and dynamic public history scholarship.
Long-Term Monitoring of Rocky Intertidal Communities: Lessons and Implications from the Redwood National and State Parks, Northern California
A long-term monitoring program spanning 15 years at Redwood National and State Parks reveals that rocky intertidal communities exhibit substantial short-term fluctuations, particularly among barnacles and the red alga Endocladia muricata, with variations often linked to recruitment patterns. While most taxa experienced periods of dramatic decline (>50% reduction from long-term means), they typically recovered, resulting in no apparent long-term changes. Rare instances where long-term shifts were detected may reflect analytical artifacts rather than ecological trends. The study underscores the importance of long-term monitoring in distinguishing natural variability from human-induced impacts, such as climate change, while highlighting the resilience of intertidal ecosystems.
Madison Grant and the Dark Side of the Conservation Movement
A critical reassessment of Madison Grant's legacy within the conservation movement reveals his dual role as both a founder and a figure with troubling associations. James B. Wheeler, a retired National Park Service ranger, exposed Grant's dark side—his eugenicist beliefs and racist ideologies—which were previously glossed over in official narratives at Redwood National and State Parks. Wheeler's plea for historical accuracy, initially ignored, later led to adjustments in the Prairie Creek memorial and Founders Tree monument. This study underscores the importance of confronting uncomfortable histories to ensure ethical and inclusive storytelling in conservation heritage sites.
Rocky intertidal monitoring: 2019?2020 results from Redwood National and State Parks
Monitoring surveys from 2019 to 2020 within Redwood National and State Parks (RNSP) revealed dynamic variations in the rocky intertidal community, including sessile invertebrates, algae, ochre sea star populations, surfgrass, and sea palm. This long-term study, part of the Multi-Agency Rocky Intertidal Network (MARINe), uses permanent plots and transects to track temporal trends, providing critical data for understanding biodiversity changes in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The program, supported by the National Park Service and UC Santa Cruz, has evolved its reporting format to focus on administrative summaries while retaining comprehensive trend analyses in periodic reports. Key findings highlight ongoing ecological monitoring efforts that contribute to broader spatial and temporal studies of intertidal ecosystems.
À propos des auteurs
Redwood National and State Parks represent a unique intersection of natural grandeur and human intervention. Marie Bolton's work delves into the complex relationship between wild nature and built environments within these parks, challenging conventional narratives of preservation versus development. Through historical analysis, Bolton examines how the parks' designation as protected areas has evolved, reflecting broader societal values and conservation ethics. Her research employs a multidisciplinary approach, integrating historical documentation with contemporary challenges, to offer insights into the balance between ecological integrity and human influence in shaping these iconic landscapes.
Drivers of a temporal change in the adult sex ratio of a Roosevelt elk (Cervus canadensis roosevelti) population
A Roosevelt elk population in Redwood National and State Parks, California, exhibits a female-skewed adult sex ratio (ASR) that declines with increasing population density, providing empirical support for the female substitution hypothesis (FSH). The FSH suggests that as food resources deplete, females outcompete males for forage, leading to passive male displacement. Over 24 years, systematic surveys revealed that declining ASR correlated with rising female abundance and reduced forage biomass, while males were found in peripheral areas when females were abundant. This pattern aligns with the FSH, demonstrating density-dependent effects in a nonmigratory, hunting-protected population.
Optimal strategies to protect a sub-population at risk due to an established epidemic
Optimal protection of high-value sub-populations during epidemics should often prioritize the at-risk region itself, but timing can shift as outbreaks grow. Using Redwood National Park and its surrounding buffer zone as a case study for sudden oak death (caused by Phytophthora ramorum), researchers applied optimal control theory to determine cost-effective strategies under budget constraints and epidemiological uncertainty. They found that focusing resources within the park is frequently the best approach, but switching priority from the buffer region to the high-value area may become necessary as local outbreaks escalate. The study also highlights how robust these strategies are against potential misestimations of key parameters.
Rocky intertidal monitoring: 2017–2018 results from Redwood National and State Parks
A two-year monitoring program (2017–2018) within Redwood National and State Parks revealed dynamic changes in rocky intertidal communities, including sessile invertebrates, algae, ochre sea stars, surfgrass, and sea palms. Conducted through a collaboration between the University of California at Santa Cruz and the National Park Service, this study—part of the Multi-Agency Rocky Intertidal Network (MARINe)—used permanent plots and transects to track annual variations in key species. While broader trend analyses are reserved for five-year reports, this summary introduces a shift toward simplified data presentation while incorporating optional biodiversity metrics. The findings contribute to long-term ecological monitoring, with the program now in its 19th year.
Redwood National and State Parks: Geologic resources inventory report
Redwood National and State Parks' geologic landscape spans 200 million years, from the Jurassic Period to the present. The Geologic Resources Inventory (GRI) report synthesizes data from scoping meetings in 2004 and 2019, delivering two key GIS datasets: one for geology and another for geohazards. These datasets, available on the NPS GRI publications website, provide critical information for park management, visitor safety, infrastructure planning, and resource preservation. The report includes a geologic map poster and simplified maps illustrating major features, alongside a geologic time scale to contextualize the parks' complex history. Specialized terms are defined at first mention, ensuring accessibility for both academic and general audiences.
Forage Biomass at Meadow Bite Stations Used by Roosevelt Elk
A study on Roosevelt Elk in Redwood National and State Parks found that while male elk tended to forage at sites with greater biomass compared to juvenile and female elk, the correlation was weak. The research analyzed 310 grazing elk across two meadow complexes from 2008 to 2011, using linear mixed effects models to assess forage biomass at bite stations. Surprisingly, there was considerable overlap in the confidence intervals of estimated forage biomass among age-sex classes, indicating that body size had a minimal influence on foraging behavior when forage was limited. Additionally, neither the number of bites taken nor group size significantly impacted forage biomass at bite stations.
Influences of Forest Edges on the Growth and Health of Old-Growth Coast Redwood Forests
Forest edges created by logging and road expansions significantly impact the growth and health of old-growth coast redwood forests, making them more susceptible to windthrow and drought stress. Research combining dendrochronology and remote sensing revealed that previous road expansions led to growth declines and elevated drought stress in adjacent trees over subsequent decades. Additionally, taller trees were found to be more vulnerable to crown health declines, with increased dieback observed where multiple roads intersect old-growth stands. This study highlights the ecological consequences of habitat fragmentation on one of the world's tallest tree species, emphasizing the need for conservation strategies that mitigate edge effects in preserved areas.
Unpepp: Bringing Renewable Energy To Redwood National Park
A three-year collaboration between the Schatz Energy Research Center (SERC) and Humboldt State University demonstrated that undergraduate engineering students can effectively design, implement, and monitor renewable energy systems for UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Between 2000 and 2002, interns developed solar thermal water heaters, DC-powered lighting, and grid-connected solar electric systems for Redwood National and State Parks in Northern California. These projects reduced reliance on non-renewable energy sources while providing hands-on training for students in real-world engineering challenges. The study highlights the feasibility of involving undergraduates in sustainable infrastructure projects, offering a scalable model for similar initiatives.
California’s Redwood National and State Parks: Wild or Constructed Nature?
California’s Redwood National and State Parks (RNSP) exemplify both ecological restoration and cultural intervention. Established in 1978, the RNSP combined existing state parks with the Redwood National Park to protect coastal sequoia forests, many of which had been devastated by logging. Beyond conservation, the park engaged in large-scale ecological reconstruction, guided by scientific principles but also shaped by Progressive-era ideals of crafting nature to meet cultural expectations. This dual approach highlights how RNSP balances rigorous ecological restoration with anthropogenic influences, revealing a tension between natural and constructed landscapes.
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