Muir Woods National Monument Turns 100!

Dec
24 2007

Muir Woods will begin celebrating its 100th birthday beginning Friday December 21, 2007 with a Winter Solstice performance. This will be the opening event for the Muir Woods Centennial Year. On January 9, 2008 everyone is invited to join the commemorative celebration of the 100-year anniversary of Muir Woods, which was declared as a national monument by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1908. It was the result of hard work by U.S. Rep. William Kent, who fought to save a small portion of the remaining Redwoods, the world tallest living tree species, the oldest of which are about 1,200 years old. When President Roosevelt wanted to name the monument after Kent, the congressman insisted that it be named after naturalist John Muir. In the early 19th century the Redwoods covered 2 million acres, but starting with the time of the Gold Rush, the wood was used to build up San Francisco and the rest of California, which caused a reduction of 97% of the forest as well as a disappearance of a variety of wildlife. Kent couldn't stand anymore to see the destruction of such a beautiful resource, therefore he organized the Tamalpais Forestry Association and bought 298 acres, which was known as Redwood Canyon at that time, for $ 45,000 from the Tamalpais Land & Water Co. in 1905. Later additions expanded the monument to 550 acres and in 1916, it became part of the new National Park Service.

In the 1970s asphalt paths and fences were built to keep people contained so that the million visitors every year won't trample the sensitive roots. It is interesting to know that the world's tallest trees have the smallest cones of any of the cone-bearing trees, and a single footprint could create long lasting damage. In addition a boardwalk was built in 2001 to further protect the delicate ecosystem.

There have been many years of restoration efforts and programs to restore endangered species such as spotted owls, coyotes, bobcats, gray foxes, river otters and mountain lions, but much of the damage remains.

Events

Dec. 21, 2007 - Winter Solstice performance.

Jan. 8, 2008 - Quiet Day. A fee-free day, where visitors can enjoy the quiet of the woods due to a pause in work and ranger programs

Jan. 9, 2008 - Commemorative celebration of the 100-year anniversary of Muir Woods' establishment as a national monument

Feb. 2, 2008 - Earth Day Cleanup

March 20, 2008 - "Big Year' Event. Spend an afternoon helping remove invasive cape ivy from the woods.

April 21, 2008 - Celebration of Trees. A fee-free day with event marking John Muir's birthday (April 21.), Earth Day (April 22.), Arbor Day (April 25.) and National Park Week

June 21, 2008 - Summer Solstice at Muir Beach. Celebrating the longest day of the year with stories and songs around a bonfire. Free.

Aug. 25, 2008 - Founders Day. Fee-free day with programs honoring the founders of the National Park Service.

Oct. 25, 2008 - Festival "River of Words" showcasing art and poetry by young people about the Redwood Creek watershed.

Back to news articles