January 9th, 2008 marked our 100th birthday as a National Monument.

Muir Woods was designated the 10th National Monument for the United States of America. Although it was the 10th National Monument, it was the first in three very important ways. It was the first time a private individual (William and Elizabeth Kent) donated land to the federal government to create a National Monument. It was the first time a National Monument was created in an urban setting, just 12 miles north of San Francisco. And it was the first time the Antiquities Act of 1906 was used to preserve a living species, the Coast Redwood tree.

May 10th is International Migratory Bird Day!                       Join the International Migratory Bird Day Celebration from 7a.m. until noon at Muir Woods National Monument . The National Park Service will be joined by PRBO Conservation Science, Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, Golden Gate Raptor Observatory, WildCare, and Audubon Canyon Ranch. Join us at Muir Woods and Muir Beach on Hwy 1 in Marin County for bird banding demonstrations 7:30 am – 12:00 pm, samples of shade-grown coffee and chocolate, kids’ craft table, family activities and games, and informational booths. We’ll provide binoculars and naturalists at Muir Beach for bird walks along the newly-restored Redwood Creek. Salmon experts will be running a smolt trap from 10:00 - 11:00 am and discussing the importance of creek restoration. Help restore bird habitat from 9:00 am - 12 pm with the GGNPC Native Plant Nursery. After the event we encourage you to migrate north on Hwy 1 where you can stop by Audubon Canyon Ranch located near Bolinas to see nesting rookeries of Herons. If ever you were a little curious about the natural world, this is a great chance to dive in and learn what you can do to help migrating birds. Admission is free and shuttle service will be provided between Muir Woods and Muir Beach activities. Bring the family! For more information, call the Ranger Station at Muir Woods, 415-388-2596.

To learn about upcoming centennial events please visit our schedule of events.

ARAMARK, the park's concessionaire, offers a cafe with a varied menu and healthy foods as well as a gift shop full of memorable items to the visitor. They fully support many park programs and events from the annual volunteer service day to the Winter Solstice and will be a major supporter for the park's Centennial throughout the 2008 celebration year. The concession is a proud part of the park's lineage, also tracing its history and roots directly back to the park's donor: William Kent. Kent's earliest efforts were to get the public to the redwoods by providing a railroad for access and an Inn to provide services. www.visitmuirwoods.com

Great Pacific Tours runs commercial tours to Muir Woods every day. They are a proud sponsor of the Muir Woods Centennial and will be offering complimentary shuttles on the Centennial, January 9, for those wishing to attend. Check the park's website for shuttle times, pick-up points.
www.greatpacifictour.com

The Save-the-Redwoods League has been working to protect redwoods for 90 years and lists among its co-founders the donor of Muir Woods: William Kent. Today, they continue their link to Muir Woods through generous grants to support the park's education program (buses to bring city youth to learn among the redwoods) as well as other interpretive and research efforts. The Save-the-Redwoods League funded the special poetic treasure hunt, a Quest, as a fun adventure for young people in honor of the Centennial...download your copy or pick one up at the park's Visitor Center.
www.savetheredwoods.org