Redwood National and State Parks is a globally unique ecosystem, known for its towering coast redwood trees and immense biological diversity. This expansive park system protects a narrow, temperate environment where forest, river, and ocean meet, creating a complex habitat for specialized wildlife. The park’s designation protects species that have adapted to the unique conditions of this ancient, fog-drenched landscape.
Large Terrestrial Residents
The most visible large mammal in the park is the Roosevelt Elk, the largest subspecies of elk in North America, with adult males often weighing between 740 and 1,100 pounds. These animals represent a conservation success story, having rebounded from a low population in the 1920s to over a thousand today, largely due to habitat protection. Elk prefer the open prairies and grasslands for grazing, though they may also be seen on beaches and along river bars.
Herds are often observed in areas like Elk Prairie and Elk Meadow, where park management actively maintains these open habitats through techniques such as prescribed burning. The elk’s behavior changes seasonally, becoming aggressive during the fall rutting season and the late spring calving period, when females are protective of their young.
The American Black Bear is another prominent resident, with the highest density in California occurring in this northwestern region. As omnivores, their varied diet consists mostly of plant material such as grasses, berries, and acorns. A unique behavior in this redwood environment is their habit of stripping bark from young redwood trees to eat the cambium layer underneath.
Due to the mild coastal weather and year-round food availability, black bears here do not fully hibernate. They remain active throughout the winter, though sightings drop dramatically. Other large mammals in the redwood forests include the Mountain Lion and the commonly seen Black-tailed Deer.
Unique Inhabitants of the Forest Understory and Canopy
The shaded, damp environment of the redwood forest supports specialized species in the canopy and the moist understory. The Marbled Murrelet is a federally threatened seabird that relies on the old-growth canopy for nesting, flying up to 50 miles inland from the ocean to breed. This small bird lays a single egg high up on the moss-covered, wide limbs of ancient redwoods.
The Marbled Murrelet is a symbol for old-growth conservation due to its reliance on these specific trees. The Northern Spotted Owl, also a federally threatened species, prefers the dense, multi-layered canopy of old forests for nesting and roosting. It faces a threat from the invasive Barred Owl, which is competitively displacing the native Spotted Owl and complicating recovery efforts.
On the forest floor, the iconic Banana Slug is a major player in the ecosystem, often reaching lengths of up to seven inches. This large, yellow mollusk is a detritivore, consuming decaying organic matter like leaves and fungi, and is instrumental in nutrient cycling. The Banana Slug also helps protect redwood saplings by eating competing plant shoots.
The cool, clean streams and moist litter layer of the understory are the domain of amphibians like the Coastal Giant Salamander, which can grow up to 12 inches long. This predator feeds on insects, slugs, and other small amphibians. It thrives in the cold, clear water and debris-rich environment provided by mature redwood forests.
Coastal and Aquatic Species
The park’s 40 miles of coastline and its extensive river network are important for biodiversity, especially for anadromous fish. Coho and Chinook Salmon depend on the park’s protected waterways for their freshwater life stages. Coho Salmon adults return to their natal streams, such as Redwood Creek, between November and February to spawn.
Chinook Salmon also utilize these rivers, returning after several years in the ocean to reproduce. Their migration is often timed by winter rains that break open the sandbars at the river mouths. The health of these rivers is directly tied to the surrounding forest, as the trees provide shade to keep the water cold and woody debris that creates sheltered rearing habitat for juvenile fish.
Along the coast, several species of marine mammals are frequently seen resting on offshore rocks or swimming just beyond the surf line. Harbor Seals are common sights, often hauling out to rest on rocky outcrops and estuaries. California Sea Lions are also present, with males often seen in the area during the summer.
The Steller Sea Lion, a federally threatened species, can also be spotted on more distant rocks, distinguishable by their massive size. Coastal birds, including the Brown Pelican and various species of waterfowl and shorebirds, rely on the park’s lagoons and estuaries for feeding and resting.
Park Efforts in Wildlife Protection
The management of Redwood National and State Parks centers on a comprehensive approach to ecological restoration and species protection. A major collaborative effort, known as Redwoods Rising, focuses on restoring previously logged lands to accelerate the development of old-growth characteristics and improve habitat resilience. This work includes removing old logging roads and restoring stream channels to improve conditions for salmon and other aquatic life.
Specific programs are dedicated to the recovery of vulnerable species. These include monitoring efforts for the Marbled Murrelet and the Northern Spotted Owl, whose survival is tied to the preservation of the old-growth canopy. The park is also participating in the California Condor Restoration Project, supporting the reintroduction of this endangered bird to its historic North Coast range.