The Pygmy Forest on the Mendocino coast is being celebrated this year by a number of local organizations and state agencies. There will be talks, guided hikes, ceremonies, contests and exhibits throughout the Mendocino-Fort Bragg area starting in April with all area fourth graders taking a field trip to the pygmy forest Reserve and National Natural Landmark.

Calendar of Events


Friday September 9, 2016

  • Guided Hike Up the Ecological Staircase Trail to the Pygmy Forest with retired ranger & naturalist Wendell Rickon (moderate difficulty, 4 hour hike) Bring lunch or snack and water.
    9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
    Jug Handle State Natural Reserve Parking Lot, Hwy. 1, North of Caspar, Mendocino County, California
    Contact: Wendell Rickon 707-937-0179

  • Presentation on Pygmy Forest National Natural Landmark
    Date: Sept. 9, 2016 - 1:30 PM
    Laurie Jenkins, Director of the National Park Service's - National Natural Landmark program will give a talk at Preston Hall on Main Street in Mendocino
    Sponsor: Mendocino Study Club.

  • Dedication and unveiling of Pygmy Forest National Natural Landmark (NNL) Sign
    Date: Sept. 9, 2016 - 4:00 PM
    Jug Handle State Natural Reserve Parking Lot area
    Contact: Ruth Sparks 707-961-1881

  • Reception for NNL Dedication
    Date: Sept. 9, 2016 - 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM
    Caspar Community Center 15051 Caspar Road, Caspar, California 95420 -- Regular Pub Night starts at 6:30 with dinner available.
    Sponsors: Mendocino Area Parks Association, Friends of Enchanted Meadow

    • Saturday September 10, 2016

  • Guided Hike Up the Ecological Staircase Trail to the Pygmy Forest with ranger Fred Andrews (moderate difficulty, 4 hour hike) Bring lunch or snack and water.
    Date: Sept. 10, 2016 - 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
    Jug Handle State Natural Reserve Parking Lot, Hwy. 1, North of Caspar, California
    Contact: Fred Anderews 707-961-0471

  • Salad Lunch and Reception
    Date: Sept. 10
    Time:12:00 to 2:00 PM
    Location: Russian Gulch Meeting Hall, Russian Gulch State Park
    Limited space – Please RSVP by email to Kathleen.holmes@sbcglobal.net
    Sponsor: Fort Bragg Garden Club

  • Rededication of Charlotte M. Hoak Pygmy Forest
    Date: Sept. 10
    Time:2:30 PM
    Location: Across from 42280 Comptche-Ukiah Rd. (limited parking, please carpool.)

  • Ford House Open House
    Date: Sept. 10
    Time:5:00 to 7:00 PM
    Location: Ford House Museum & Visitor Center, 45035 Main St., Mendocino Ca.
    Sponsors: California State Parks & Recreation, Mendocino Study Club, Dorothy King Young Chapter California Native Plants Society. FB Garden Club. Story Contest Awards and Reading Aloud of Stories, Pygmy Forest Photo Contest Display and awards

    • Sunday September 11, 2016

  • Guided Hike Up the Ecological Staircase Trail to the Pygmy Forest with retired ranger and naturalist Wendell Rickon. (Moderate difficulty, 4 hour hike... bring snack or lunch and water.)
    Date: Sept. 11, 2016 - 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
    Jug Handle State Natural Reserve Parking Lot, Hwy. 1, North of Caspar, California
    Contact: Wendell Rickon 707-937-0179

  • Native Plant Sale and Nursery Tour
    Date: Sept. 11, 2016 from 12:00 to 4:00 PM
    Location: Jug Handle Creek Farm and Nature Center, 15501 Highway 1, Caspar, CA.
    Contact: Helene Chalfin, Director, 707-964-1825 or 707-964-3498

    Ongoing Pygmy Forest Events to run in the month of September


    Fort Bragg Garden Club has been the driving force behind much of the activity and is coordinating most of the events to be provided by The Dept. of Parks & Recreation, The Ford House, Unified School Districts of Mendocino and Fort Bragg, Mendocino Chapter of the California Writers Club, The Mendocino Study Club, Mendocino Area Parks Association, Friends of Enchanted Meadow, Dorothy King Young Chapter of California Native Plant Society, Jug Handle Farm and Nature Center, Kelley House, Teresa Sholars, Fort Bragg Rotary Club and others.

    Copyright © Joshua Lowell