Help expand Harold Richardson Redwoods Reserve, a stunning Sonoma County old-growth stronghold
Nestled in the fog-shrouded Sonoma hills, on the ancestral land of the Kashia Band of Pomo Indians, the 730‑acre Harold Richardson Redwoods Reserve is a spectacular expanse of intact forest and abundant wildlife. Boasting hundreds of towering old-growth trees, including an ancient giant over 1,640 years old, the reserve is one of the world’s most pristine redwood landscapes. When Save the Redwoods League purchased the property in 2018, Outside Magazine called it the “Shangri‑la of conservation acquisitions.”
Now, we have a rare moment to grow this magnificent reserve by more than 25%, creating a 930‑acre redwood sanctuary that will benefit local communities and future visitors for generations.
Expanding a redwood sanctuary
Map of Harold Richardson Redwoods Reserve, click to enlarge.
Save the Redwoods has secured an exciting opportunity to acquire 200 acres that border the existing reserve. This land includes 35 acres of old‑growth redwoods that store significant amounts of carbon—securing this forest now ensures it can continue to boost climate resilience for generations to come. The expansion will protect habitat for vulnerable species like northern spotted owls, Sonoma tree voles, steelhead trout, and coho salmon. It also creates room for critical fuel‑reduction work around the reserve’s magnificent old‑growth core, improving wildfire resilience as the climate changes.
Acquiring this expansion property highlights our work at its best: prioritizing critical forests, building strong relationships with landowners, and safeguarding key redwood properties before they’re sold or developed.
Reserve expansion: What’s at stake
- 200 acres of redwood forest and open meadow, directly adjacent to the existing reserve
- 35 acres of old-growth redwoods that store carbon and boost climate resilience
- Vital habitat for vulnerable species, including northern spotted owls, Sonoma tree voles, steelhead trout, and coho salmon
- Wildfire risk reduction and protection of forests surrounding the old-growth core, preserving the reserve’s ecological integrity
- Safeguarding a high‑priority conservation property from development and fragmentation, opening the way for greater public access to this spectacular reserve
Making conservation history
One-third larger than Muir Woods National Monument, this remarkable reserve holds 352 acres of ancient redwoods—that’s 112 more acres of old-growth trees than Muir Woods itself. Yet for decades, this privately owned forest remained largely unknown to the public, even as conservation groups recognized it as one of the most important unprotected redwood landscapes in California. Securing this redwood stronghold was a landmark achievement for Save the Redwoods, protecting a rare and long‑sought conservation priority and ensuring its old‑growth wonders endure for generations to come.
The reserve stands today because Harold Richardson and his family safeguarded this forest for generations. When Richardson died in 2016, his heirs honored that legacy by partnering with Save the Redwoods to preserve the land forever.
In 2018, this acquisition was fueled by individual donors at every level, joined by matching challenge grants and significant support from The Mattson Family Conservation Foundation and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.
Science and stewardship
Acquiring the reserve was just the first step to lasting stewardship. Save the Redwoods is now undertaking essential work to strengthen the health of this redwood ecosystem, by monitoring forest conditions, gathering long‑term ecological data, and studying how this landscape responds to fire and climate change. These insights help us protect the reserve today and guide restoration efforts across the entire coast redwood range.
In the fall of 2024, Save the Redwoods conducted the first prescribed burn on the property, in collaboration with our Kashia partners. Cultural burns have been practiced by Indigenous Tribes for thousands of years to promote healthy and productive habitats. Prescribed burns follow this model and are an important tool to prevent severe wildfires. Data collected before and after the burn helps our science team understand and quantify impacts of the treatment work.
We also conduct regular surveys to monitor the sensitive and endangered species that rely on this habitat, including the marbled murrelet and northern spotted owl.
Hike the reserve
Since 2024, we’ve led limited guided hikes in the reserve. The expansion will offer even more opportunities for the public to visit this special place. Planning is underway to design amenities that welcome people into the reserve while honoring the redwood ecosystem and the living culture of the Kashia. From the outset, the goal has been to protect this land in a way that allows the public to experience this redwood wonderland responsibly.
“Our collaboration with the Kashia helps us understand the site’s cultural significance and what meaningful partnership looks like at this special place,” says Jessica Carter, senior program director at Save the Redwoods. “We have also invited local communities to experience the reserve. With Tribal and community input, and following this new acquisition, we can enter a new phase of our public access planning. We look forward to sharing more specifics soon.”
Though the reserve is currently closed while we address winter storm damage along our trails, check back in spring of 2026 for a new season of staff-guided tours and any other public access opportunities. For more information contact Alanna Smith at TheReserve@SaveTheRedwoods.org.
Ways to get involved
Donate TodayConsider a gift to support the Harold Richardson Redwoods Reserve Expansion
Tags: current, Harold Richardson Redwoods Reserve, Land Project, sonoma coast, Sonoma County, Vibrant Forest Plan