Better Place Forests Point Arena Forest Guides

09/29/2025

We had an early morning visitor to the forest. 🐱✨🐾 Our trail camera captured this beautiful bobcat on the driveway today!

09/18/2025

🌲 Exciting news! 🌲

Better Place Forests Point Arena has been nominated in the Best of Lake & Mendocino County awards for Customer Service and Funeral Home/Services. 💚

You can vote once per day in each category now through October 1 at 5pm. Every vote helps us spread the word about the forest and the care we provide to families.

🗳️ Cast your vote here: https://bestoflakeandmendocino.com/?utm_source=voting-is-open&utm_medium=email&ei_ec=4&ei_ui=eic_EE4chUVJjADdap60K2dh

To vote:
➡️ Go to the General Services category
➡️ Select Better Place Forests under both Customer Service and Funeral Home/Services

Thank you for your support, we’d love to bring home a win together! 🌟

Know a company that deserves an award? Nominate and vote for your favorite local businesses in the Best of Lake & Mendocino contest here.

09/15/2025

The forest is showing off its seasonal surprises 🌿✨ It’s a beautiful time to visit the forest. Warm sunny weather has arrived, huckleberries (including the lesser-seen red ones) are fruiting, and mushrooms are already starting to pop up.
📸 Photo credit to Forest Host Kat.
Reach out to us to book a visit to learn more at https://www.betterplaceforests.org/forest-point-arena/

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! 👇💚

02/06/2025

Hello, forest community! I recently chatted with Mark Gross on his Write Up the Coast podcast about my work at Better Place Forests. It was a fantastic conversation! Check it out if you're curious, and be sure to explore Mark's other great episodes too. He offers a unique perspective on coastal life! 🌲Also available on Apple podcasts if you don't use Spotify.

Podcast · mark sanford gross · A podcast that will feature original stories and or information about folks from local communities who are encouraged to write at various events welcoming folks of all of no or all experience levels. It will also include interviews with random folks in various writin...