Better Place Forests Point Arena Forest Guides

07/11/2025

Look who strolled down our driveway! 🐻
Our trail camera caught this beautiful bear on the move—just one of the many wild neighbors we share the forest with. 🌲💚

06/23/2025

Recent sights in the forest have been full of color and wonder. Andrew’s clintonia is in bloom, adding flashes of deep magenta to the understory. We were lucky to snap this photo before the banana slugs got to it. They love to feast on its tender leaves and blooms! If you look closely, there’s also a Dutch iris blooming just behind it adding its color to the forest palette.
The rhododendrons, which started blooming back in May, are still putting on a show in some areas, with their fallen blossoms now blanketing the forest floor like confetti. ✨🌸
We also came across a heart-shaped wasp nest, built precariously on a thin tanoak branch. We're not quite sure what kind of wasp made it—any nature sleuths out there able to help us identify it? 🐝
Nearby, we spotted a deer enjoying the sun shining through the trees. 🦌☀️
Make an appointment to come wander and see what’s blooming (or buzzing) next. 💚

06/04/2025

Hi Point Arena Community!

We just sent our very first quarterly newsletter: Rooted🌲

Rooted is our new way of staying connected, sharing forest updates, summer hours, upcoming events, and how to schedule a visit or memorial with us.

If you’re part of our community, check your inbox (and your spam folder just in case!). It was sent from our new nonprofit email: care@betterplaceforests.org.

We look forward to seeing you in the forest this season.

If you are coming to our 3rd Annual Summer Solstice Celebration, we will see you Saturday from 11am -2pm! ☀️

04/06/2025

🌸 Spring is showing off in Point Arena! 🌿
Now’s the perfect time to visit the forest—wildflowers are popping! Delicate redwood sorrel and striking Pacific trillium are starting to decorate the forest floor, adding a touch of wonder to your walk among the trees.

Take a stroll, soak in the spring, and see what’s blooming beneath the redwoods. 💚

02/22/2025

🌿 A Peaceful Moment in Highland Ridge 🌞🦌

These two deer were spotted enjoying the sunshine and snacking on acorns in the Highland Ridge section of the forest. Moments like this remind us of the beauty and serenity nature provides.

What’s your favorite thing about spending time in the forest? Let us know in the comments! 👇💚

09/12/2024

Farewell to my friends in the Forest. I leave you in good hands with Gillian Nye as your General Manager and want to express my sincere gratitude for all the moments and stories we have shared in the forest together. 🌿💚🌿

07/22/2024

“Do you know someone interested in learning more about Better Place Forests Point Arena?

Share this link! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/better-place-forests-point-arena-memorial-forest-open-house-august-3-tickets-899400169117
On August 3rd, we are hosting a Forest Open House. This is a no-pressure opportunity to see the forest, meet our Guides, and see what Better Place Forests is all about!

This is an event for those new to the Better Place Forests community, however, all are welcome!”

Get a firsthand look at what makes a Memorial Forest a special way to honor and remember someone. ALL ARE WELCOME. Registration is free.

07/18/2024

Gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) like this one seen in our forest this week are common in the Point Arena area, and they exhibit a variety of interesting habits and behaviors:

Habitat: Gray foxes are highly adaptable and can be found in diverse environments, including forests, coastal scrub, and urban areas. They are particularly associated with wooded and brushy regions which provide cover and abundant food sources.
Diet: They are omnivorous and have a varied diet that includes small mammals, birds, insects, fruits, and vegetables. This diet flexibility helps them thrive in different habitats.
Behavior: Gray foxes are primarily nocturnal and crepuscular (active during twilight hours), though they can sometimes be seen during the day. They are solitary animals, except during mating season and when rearing young.
Climbing Ability: One of the unique traits of gray foxes is their ability to climb trees. They have strong, hooked claws that allow them to ascend and descend trees with ease, which they do to escape predators and search for food.
Reproduction: Mating season typically occurs in late winter, and after a gestation period of about two months, females give birth to a litter of 3-5 kits. Both parents participate in rearing the young.
Territoriality: Gray foxes have a defined home range that they patrol regularly. They use scent marking to communicate with other foxes and establish their territory boundaries.
In the Point Arena region, gray foxes coexist with other wildlife and benefit from protected habitats like the Better Place Forests which offer ample resources and minimal human disturbance.