Impact to the Grove of Titans and Donations
Copyright 2016 - 2017 by Mario Vaden
The redwood below was discovered May 1998. To meet this grove after 2013 does not compare because after 2012 the pristine nature changed. What remains can strike new visitors as iimpressive but somebody erased a unique opportunity future first-timers will never experience. This is the Grove of Titans, not one of the more recent New Discoveries
In 2016, the parks posted that 3300 square meters of plants were damaged. Patches are so worn, new visitors may think the bare areas are normal. But anyone who saw it before 2012 knows different. Continue after images ...
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2010 ... pristine
2015 - plants gone and roots exposed
The loss of plants started around 2011 after a man from Medford area, located the Grove ot Titans with his brother, then leaked the location. In the beginning, he disclosed his real name, and was active in a Central Point church near Hy. 62, where his father was the pastor. His family apparently stands behind him, but later they hid, changing online posts about themselves to fake names. In 2015, a second and different anonymous person harvested and leaked more locations undermining parks and researchers again.
The second anonymous is unknown, although some attributes are known. It's 100% certain one of you saw them in the parks. Somebody will put 2 + 2 together someday and realize who they are. Ripples of activity denote it's someone who can't make an original discovery on their own, and see big redwoods as not much more than collectibles and mere fast food joints of the forest. The leakers made some blunders and spread errors online which can't be reversed, because they leave no option for contact. That triggered quite a few wild goose chases by other gullible people.
In few words, this is how the grove changed from Pristine to well-worn. Before 2012, some people found the grove but there wasn't a problem with plant loss, because the average visitor was more responsible. They would go near the redwoods, but stood among and between plants. They didn't stomp-down vegetation. After 2012, the few who broadly leaked the location, opened the door to an entirely different batch of visitors. And the difference is indisputably crystal clear. The loss of plants is more or less irreversible. From this point forward, prevention of more loss is the only thing people can work on.
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$1000.00 donation
Early 2016, a reward fund was established related to wear and tear in Grove ot Titans. The fund grew to $1000.00. I talked to the head ranger and a scientist. Then the donors agreed sending the money to the parks for the Grove of Titans and Jedediah Smith park. For signs, paths, etc..
In 2017, three news writers published articles about the grove and a plan for trail work. Due to that extra publicity, the parks may need the funds as soon as possible to contend with growing foot traffic. The articles revealed the parks are aiming for $1,000,000 to build trail and boardwalks. The $1000 we sent is a fraction. March 2017, the Redwood Parks Conservancy posted that $5000 extra was raised. Certainly the tally will grow. I wrote more about this at my Grove of Titans page and encourge potential givers and writers to review this grove in more detail prior to signing their check and choosing a donation amount. Maybe a few of you would like to contribute. If so, call the parks for details.
Thank you for reading,
Mario Vaden
The sign below was placed several places in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park to notify visitors. The sign was first posted around July 2016. Another white sign without the state seal and a no hiking symbol was placed among trails. The white sign stated Grove of Titans unlike the one shown referring to a "study plot". Both were placed by Redwood National and State Parks to test the waters with information notifications. Lately new signs have replaced them that don't name the Grove of Titans but show the same photos to convey the damage that happened in the area.
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