In this role, Hayes administers Redwoods Rising, a collaborative effort between Save the Redwoods League, the National Park Service, and California State Parks to accelerate redwood forest recovery and protect remaining old-growth groves within Redwood National and State Parks. He views himself as the administrative backbone and financial expert among the partners, which requires a lot of communication.
“A huge component of my job is ensuring long-term success for Redwoods Rising, with both the partners and funders of the project,” says Hayes. “I do this by providing financial recommendations to partners, aligning funding needs, and navigating the complex contracting structure of the project.”
The restoration work coordinated under Redwoods Rising is aimed at rehabilitating crowded second-growth forests, restoring streams, and removing the many miles of abandoned logging roads to improve forest health and habitat.
Currently, about $80 million in public funds has been committed to Redwoods Rising. Hayes is tasked with planning and tracking budgets with all the granting agencies. His natural proclivity for understanding different points of view makes him particularly well-suited as the administrator of this complex collaborative partnership.
“It’s gratifying to be part of a transformation, as forests that were exposed to clearcutting practices are restored back to good health. And knowing, too, that old-growth forests help with carbon sequestration, and that restoration work helps increase wildfire resilience and provides socioeconomic benefits to the North Coast. Sharing this knowledge and keeping such a large-scale project moving is one of the most important parts of my job.”
