Better Place Forests Point Arena Forest Guides

04/22/2026

🌎 This Earth Day, we’re feeling especially grateful.

Every person who chooses to have a tree in our forest becomes part of something bigger—helping to protect this land, its habitats, and the life it supports.

Because of you, this forest remains a place of conservation, renewal, and connection.

Thank you for being part of its story. 🌲💚

04/20/2026

We’re enjoying a wonderful spring rainfall in the forest today. 🌧️

Each rain is needed and deeply appreciated— encouraging new growth, nourishing emerging plants, and helping fresh life take hold from unfurling ferns to those early wildflowers. 🌼

After the rain, the air feels fresher and more alive. That’s partly due to natural compounds like petrichor and geosmin from the soil, along with phytoncides released by trees—all contributing to that distinct, grounding “forest after rain” feeling.

In the forest, rain isn’t just weather—it’s part of the cycle that carries life forward. 🌿

04/13/2026

Spring is waking up in the forest a little early this year. 🌸

Our rhododendrons are just starting to bloom, and we’re loving the first signs of wildflowers returning. Starflowers are open, trilliums are setting their blossoms, and rosy bird’s-foot trefoil is lining the entrance to the driveway.

Come visit the forest soon and enjoy the metamorphosis of spring. 🦋

03/02/2026

Snack time in the forest! We found this rough-skinned newt enjoying an earthworm meal. Its bright orange belly serves as a warning—this little forest resident carries powerful tetrodotoxin to deter predators. Small, colorful, and perfectly adapted to life in our forest. 🌲

02/15/2026

Grateful for all this rain, making for a peaceful and moody day in the forest. 🌧️
Today the forest is echoing with the steady rhythm of rainfall, and everything feels vibrant. The greens are brighter, the air is fresh, and there’s something truly grounding about being here in this kind of weather.
If you’re visiting soon, don’t let the rain stop you — we have umbrellas available to borrow if you need one. 🌲

01/16/2026

🌲 We’re honored to share some good news 🌲

Better Place Forests Point Arena has been awarded Silver Place in the Best of Lake & Mendocino County awards for Funeral Home & Services. 🥈

This recognition reflects the care, presence, and dedication our team brings to the families we serve and to the forest itself. We’re deeply grateful to everyone who voted and to all who continue to trust us with such meaningful moments. 💚🌲

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. 💚