Addition to Big Basin preserves watershed, environmental education

January 2008

Ninety-eight per cent (98%) of the Big Basin watershed is now publicly owned with the California State Parks' recent purchase of the Saddle Mountain property from the Sempervirens Fund.

Since 2001, Sempervirens has leased the 17-acre site next to Big Basin Redwoods State Park to Exploring New Horizons (ENH), a nonprofit for-public-benefit corporation (www.exploringnewhorizons.org) that offers high quality, affordable environmental education for students throughout the greater San Francisco Bay area. Over 10,000 sixth graders have spent a week at Sempervirens Outdoor School learning about the redwood forests and taking field trips to other Santa Cruz County spots.

The State Parks have said that ENH can continue its educational programs for at least five years.

Tracey Weiss, Executive Director of ENH, welcomes the new relationship: "Working with the staff of Big Basin Redwoods State Park will increase the numerous teaching opportunities and provide a rich learning laboratory for our schools and students."

The future use and planning of this property will be part of the on-going General Plan Process for Big Basin Redwoods State Park.


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