Save the Redwoods League Aims to Protect 1,600 Acres of Sonoma Coast Forest

In a significant move for forest conservation, Save the Redwoods League has announced an opportunity to acquire and protect 1,624 acres of redwood forest and coastal prairies along the Sonoma Coast in California. The property, known as Sonoma Coast Redwoods, is currently at risk of residential development, making this acquisition crucial for preserving the area's ecological integrity and scenic beauty.

The League has negotiated an agreement to purchase the property from timberland owner Soper Company, with the goal of raising $16 million by December 31, 2024, to fund the acquisition and restoration efforts. This project is part of the League's broader vision to double the size of coast redwood forests in parks and reserves to 800,000 acres over the next century.

Sonoma Coast Redwoods is a property of immense ecological value. It contains approximately 836 acres of second-growth coast redwood forests, with most trees aged between 80 to 100 years old. Some old-growth trees, as old as 1,000 years, still stand on the property. The forest's capacity for carbon storage makes it a high conservation priority in the fight against climate change. Redwood forests are known for their ability to store carbon in their rot-resistant wood for centuries, with young redwoods growing quickly and storing substantial amounts of carbon in a relatively short period.

The property also boasts significant biodiversity, including 2 miles of perennial streams that provide potential habitat for federally listed coho salmon and steelhead. Its extensive coastal prairies, long used for livestock grazing, offer enormous restoration potential. California's coastal prairies are recognized as the most species-rich grasslands in North America, underlining the importance of their preservation.

The acquisition of Sonoma Coast Redwoods would connect 7.84 square miles of protected wildlife habitat in the area, creating a contiguous corridor for various species. This connectivity is crucial for maintaining healthy ecosystems and allowing wildlife to adapt to changing environmental conditions.

The property's location, bordering Fort Ross State Historic Park and easily accessible from Highway 1, makes it particularly vulnerable to development pressures. By securing this land, the League would not only prevent harmful development in sensitive habitats but also maintain the iconic viewshed along California's coastal highway. Furthermore, it could potentially allow for the expansion of ecologically responsible public access, including a possible extension of the California Coastal Trail.

The conservation of Sonoma Coast Redwoods is also significant from a cultural perspective. The property lies within the ancestral territory of the Kashia Band of Pomo Indians, who have maintained a connection to this land for millennia. Protecting this area would help preserve the cultural heritage associated with these lands and acknowledge the long history of Indigenous stewardship.

The League's plans for the property include active restoration to enhance the forest's long-term climate and fire resilience. This is particularly important given the impacts of the Meyers Fire in August 2020, which affected portions of the property to varying degrees. The current landowner has already begun recovery efforts, including planting 105,000 redwood trees, which the League aims to build upon.

This conservation effort aligns closely with California's 30x30 initiative, which aims to conserve 30% of the state's land and coastal waters by 2030. By protecting a large, ecologically significant area that offers climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and potential public access, the Sonoma Coast Redwoods project exemplifies the goals of this statewide conservation strategy.

The success of this project could have far-reaching implications for conservation efforts in California and beyond. It demonstrates the potential for nonprofit organizations to play a crucial role in protecting vulnerable landscapes from development and preserving them for future generations. As climate change continues to pose significant challenges to ecosystems worldwide, the protection of carbon-sequestering forests like Sonoma Coast Redwoods becomes increasingly vital.

As the League works to secure the necessary funding, the fate of Sonoma Coast Redwoods hangs in the balance. The successful protection of