News
NEWS: Sempervirens Fund purchases Año Nuevo Vista
Sempervirens Fund announced the purchase of Año Nuevo Vista, a 41-acre parcel of land in the Santa Cruz mountains that will play a vital role in connecting protected habitat in Big Basin Redwoods and Skylark Ranch, and could eventually connect to two additional state parks: Año Nuevo and Butano.
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Fall and Winter Hikes
As thermometers and leaves drop, crisp air and leaves beckon us outside to appreciate a different side of the Santa Cruz mountains’ wild beauty – colorful leaves, sparkling creeks, migrating birds, curious mushrooms, and of course banana slugs and elephant seals. If you’re looking for trails and places to enjoy the change of seasons this fall and winter, you’re in luck! Our staff are revealing their favorite places to go in the Santa Cruz mountains now.
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Giants Rising
Giants Rising The Secrets and Superpowers of the Redwoods Revealing the wonders of redwood trees like never before, Giants Rising tells the epic tale of America’s most iconic forests, including the mission to help them rise up from the past –and help us ALL face the challenges of the future. We invite you to join…
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Protect Año Nuevo Vista
From glittering white ridges to the glittering Pacific Ocean, Año Nuevo’s breathtaking views boast much of what makes the Santa Cruz mountains special. Its shady redwood forest and sunny chaparral interspersed with rare white sands known as “the chalks” support endangered plants and animals. Together, we can protect Año Nuevo Vista’s forest and watershed from development and help connect the largest protected lands and wildlife habitat.
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Healing Under Redwood Groves
“I’ve known for years that I struggled with high blood pressure, I would feel a pressure in my arm or my hands would start to throb or go numb. I learned to step away from what I was doing at that time and sit in a quiet space, close my eyes and think about what brings me peace; the redwood forest.” Hit the trail with Verónica Silva-Miranda, Latino Outdoors volunteer, to learn how the forest helps her navigate health challenges in her photo essay.
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NEWS: Sempervirens Fund Launches Trails Prescription Program for the Santa Cruz Mountains
Sempervirens Fund’s Trails Prescription Program, also known as Trails Rx, encourages people to explore the outdoors by promoting the health and wellness benefits associated with spending time in nature. Trails Rx gives clinicians and patients new options to turn a recommendation for time in nature into a specific ‘prescription’ for where best to go outdoors and benefit from a specific place, or trail.
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Introduction to Forest Bathing
Forest bathing, or “Shinrin-yoku” as it’s called in Japan where the practice was founded, is a way of immersing your senses in nature that has proven benefits for our physical and mental well being. Time in nature can boost our immune systems and creativity, settle our minds, and lower our stress levels. But how do you forest bathe? While an actual bath in the forest is not required, here’s an introduction to get started improving your connection with nature and your health.
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ParksRx and You
Parks prescriptions, or ParksRx, is a movement based on the fundamental idea that spending time in nature is good for your health. In California’s Bay Area, most counties host a ParksRx program, often connecting parks and public health departments. They provide resources for clinicians and doctors to recommend, like reminding a patient to exercise, spending time in nature as part of your health and wellness plan.
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Santa Cruz Sandhills
Among redwoods in the Santa Cruz mountains you can find a habitat so rare it doesn’t exist anywhere else in the world: the Santa Cruz sandhills. Species uniquely adapted to its soil cling to their disappearing habitat long interwoven with redwoods. And you could be their best hope for survival. Explore the ancient rarities of sandhills and redwoods through the lens of photographer Orenda Randuch and learn more about the species and how you can help.
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Help Rebuild State Parks
Help California State Parks rebuild Big Basin, Butano, and Año Nuevo State Parks and protect the region’s incredible biodiversity devastated by the 2020 CZU Fire. Stay tuned for the next step to ask state leadership to rebuild State Parks and protect priority lands in the Santa Cruz mountains.
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