Private 394-Acre “Russian River Redwoods” Forest to be Saved?
Save the Redwoods League Pursues Protection of 394-acre Sonoma Forest, Aiming to Raise $6.5 Million
In a significant move to preserve California’s ancient redwood trees, the nonprofit organization Save the Redwoods League has announced plans to acquire and protect a 394-acre redwood forest in Sonoma County. The group aims to raise $6.5 million by September 30, 2023, to cover acquisition and project costs.
The forest, known as the Russian River Redwoods, is home to the Clar Tree, one of the county’s oldest and tallest coast redwoods. It is one of the few surviving giants from a time when old-growth redwoods predominated the region. The tree, believed to be more than 2,000 years old, stands at a remarkable 278 feet, even after losing approximately 30 feet during the intense winter storms of 2023.
In addition to preserving the majestic Clar Tree, the acquisition would also protect a mile of Russian River frontage, enhancing a popular scenic recreation area in Northern California. The Russian River Redwoods region provides habitat to a wide range of species, including steelhead trout, coho and Chinook salmon, and is part of a habitat corridor of over 4,000 acres of protected lands that house northern spotted owls, bobcats, gray foxes, and red tree voles.
What’s Unique about this Redwood Forest?
Curving dreamily through Sonoma County, the Russian River is famous for its dramatic landscape of soaring coast redwoods. Visitors come from around the world to view the old-growth groves at Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, gazing up in amazement at towering trees that date back more than 1,400 years.Yet few outsiders are aware that another ancient coast redwood lies hidden away on privately owned timberland only a few miles from Armstrong’s protected boundaries. Known as the Clar Tree, this impressive giant stands 278 feet tall and was likely alive when Tiberius ruled the Roman Empire. It’s a living testament to the fact that the vast Russian River floodplain near Guerneville was once dominated by ancient redwoods that rivaled the giants of the North Coast.
Nearly all these behemoths were cut down more than 100 years ago, back when Guerneville was infamously known as Stumptown. Yet miraculously, the roots of this ancient forest are still very much alive. Young but mighty redwood trees have sprung from these gnarled foundations, extending a lineage that dates back across the millennia. This recovering forest, most of which is currently under commercial management, holds the key to restoring Sonoma County’s old-growth magnificence.
One of the first steps is to permanently protect the nearly 400 acres of resurrected forest at the Russian River Redwoods property, which stretches along a mile of scenic riverfront and provides a beautiful, climate-resilient backdrop to outdoor recreation in the Russian River corridor. Safeguarding this land and the beloved Clar Tree has been a long-held dream for the local community.
When the opportunity arose to purchase the entire 394-acre property, Save the Redwoods League stepped forward. The League will acquire Russian River Redwoods on an accelerated timeline to secure the recovering forest. The League then intends to transfer the land to Sonoma County, in partnership with the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District, for long-term stewardship, forest restoration, and potential access. If this project succeeds, local communities and visitors to this scenic region will forever appreciate a stunning landscape of thriving coast redwoods stretching from river to ridgeline.
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The proposed plan will see the land transferred to Sonoma County for long-term stewardship and restoration. This initiative aligns with efforts to improve wildfire resilience and restore the forest to its old-growth form and function. Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District will assist in funding the transfer and receive a conservation easement and recreational covenant over the property, ensuring long-term protection and potentially enabling future public access.
The move has added significance as the forest lies within the traditional lands and Southern Pomo territory of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria. The planned protective measures aim to respect and honor the historical and cultural value of the site.
Read the full story at savetheredwoods.org
