California’s Redwood National and State Parks: Wild or Constructed Nature?

California’s Redwood National and State Parks (RNSP) exemplify both ecological restoration and cultural intervention. Established in 1978, the RNSP combined existing state parks with the Redwood National Park to protect coastal sequoia forests, many of which had been devastated by logging. Beyond conservation, the park engaged in large-scale ecological reconstruction, guided by scientific principles but also shaped by Progressive-era ideals of crafting nature to meet cultural expectations. This dual approach highlights how RNSP balances rigorous ecological restoration with anthropogenic influences, revealing a tension between natural and constructed landscapes.

Bolton, M. (2016). California’s Redwood National and State Parks: Wild or Constructed Nature? Caliban, 55, 239–254. https://doi.org/10.4000/caliban.3541