<
https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/12/22/ancient-redwood-grove-damaged-by-visitors-seeking-selfies-to-get-3-5-million-rescue-plan/>
"Until 20 years, ago, the immense redwood trees in the “Grove of Titans,” an
ancient forest near the California-Oregon border, had never been cataloged by
scientists, written about or photographed.
Now that the secret is out, the grove is being loved to death by thousands of
bushwhacking hikers and explorers. But parks officials and environmental groups
have a $3.5 million plan to protect the majestic trees.
In 1998, two researchers discovered the hidden grove in a remote section of
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, where trees tower 320 feet high and stretch
nearly 30 feet in diameter. Rangers tried to keep the location secret, but
amateur adventurers found the trees, some of the largest redwoods on Earth.
They posted photos and GPS coordinates online.
The result has been thousands of selfie-snapping visitors in recent years,
trampling ferns, cutting their own trails, causing erosion, leaving toilet
paper and trash, and compacting the soil around the huge trees.
The new, two-year plan to safeguard the grove includes an elevated walkway,
replanting damaged vegetation, rerouting trails and constructing a parking lot
and bathroom area one mile away. And rather than trying to hide the trees, park
rangers will showcase them, but under controlled conditions."
Via Doug Senko, who wrote "Now open to the public, on a limited basis."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
