Save the Redwoods League Acquires 1,517 Acres to Expand Sonoma County Conservation Corridor
February 11th, 2025 8:10 AM
By: Newsworthy Staff
The Save the Redwoods League has negotiated a $24 million purchase of forest land near the Russian River, creating a connected conservation area of over 22,000 acres and preserving critical wildlife habitat and carbon storage potential.
Save the Redwoods League has secured an agreement to purchase 1,517 acres of redwood forest in Sonoma County, a strategic acquisition that will significantly expand regional conservation efforts and protect critical ecological resources. The Monte Rio Redwoods Expansion property, located less than two hours north of San Francisco, will link a contiguous conserved area spanning more than 22,000 acres of forest, wildlife corridors, and watershed.
The property, currently owned by Mendocino Redwood Company, contains 1,287 acres of coast redwood and Douglas-fir forest that has been under timber production for over a century. With 3.7 miles of streams that serve as spawning grounds for endangered coho salmon and steelhead trout, the land represents a significant environmental asset. The forest also offers substantial carbon storage potential, with young redwoods demonstrating rapid carbon sequestration capabilities.
By connecting Monte Rio Redwoods Regional Park and Sonoma Coast State Park, the acquisition creates an uninterrupted conservation corridor stretching from the Bohemian Highway to the Sonoma Coast. This interconnected landscape enhances habitat resilience and provides critical wildlife migration routes while preventing potential residential development.
The $24 million purchase will be funded through a combination of public and private sources, including up to $6 million from Sonoma County Agricultural and Open Space District. Upon completion, Save the Redwoods League will transfer the property to Sonoma County Regional Parks for long-term stewardship and eventual park expansion.
The project represents a collaborative conservation effort involving multiple regional organizations, including Sonoma Land Trust and Sonoma County Regional Parks. By preserving this ecologically significant property, the initiative advances broader goals of habitat protection, climate mitigation, and public land access in the Russian River corridor.
Source Statement
This news article relied primarily on a press release disributed by News Direct. You can read the source press release here,
