Restoring the Redwood Forest

In addition to protecting ancient forests, Save the Redwoods League acquires logged forests.

One of our major long-term efforts is to restore these logged forests so they resemble majestic old-growth forests. Restoration will benefit wildlife that relies on this habitat, and future generations who will enjoy the forest.

Restoration priorities are identified in our Master Plan for the Coast Redwoods.

Restoration includes, among other efforts:

• removing small trees that were planted too close together in post-logging reforestation efforts. Such tree removal promotes faster growth of larger trees and other old forest characteristics such as a complex canopy, clear-running, fish-filled streams, and abundant animal species that rely on old forests
• removing eroding roads that degrade salmon streams with sediment
• planting tree seedlings in old road beds and unstable areas
• installing habitat structures in streams to improve the viability of salmon populations

We also have supported reforestation by learning about it through our Research Grants Program. Our sponsored reforestation research has included investigations of natural disturbance regimes, potential restoration tools and management to promote old forest characteristics. This research has guided development of new restoration techniques used on the League's land protection projects.