Long-awaited opportunity to link redwood forest, habitat, and parks between Monte Rio and the coast
They say that lightning never strikes the same place twice. But just months after acquiring the Sonoma Coast Redwoods property, Save the Redwoods League has secured another electrifying opportunity to secure a vibrant redwood forest in Sonoma County. Just outside the Russian River hamlet of Monte Rio, the 1,517-acre Monte Rio Redwoods Expansion property is a conservationist’s dream: home to carbon-hungry new-growth redwoods and the headwaters of critical salmon streams, with open meadows that host diverse wildlife and beckon to outdoor enthusiasts. All within two hours of San Francisco and the many Bay Area communities seeking places to relax, recharge, and connect with nature.
One glance at a regional map reveals how this acquisition would fill a crucial gap between conserved lands stretching all the way from the Bohemian Highway to the Pacific Ocean—a contiguous corridor of more than 22,000 acres. Safeguarding the property would allow the expansion of Monte Rio Redwoods Regional Park and Open Space Preserve from 515 acres to 2,032 acres, as well as potential future trail connections to the beaches and campgrounds at Sonoma Coast State Park. It is also an amazing opportunity to restore the health and cultural significance of the ancestral lands of the Kashia Band of Pomo Indians and the Southern Pomo territory of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria.
The League, our conservation partners, and impassioned supporters have been assembling this jigsaw puzzle of wild lands and waterways over the course of decades. Finally, we have the chance to secure this crucial piece—a multiparcel property at high risk for development given its close proximity to residential communities and tourist destinations. Together, we can conserve this land and reveal the completed puzzle’s picture of mist-cloaked forests, fern-lined streams, sunny meadows, and views that stretch unimpeded toward the horizon and the future.
Of the $24 million purchase price, Save the Redwoods League and partners are pursuing $20 million in county, state, and foundation funding. Together with our conservation partner, the Sonoma Land Trust, we seek to raise the remaining $4 million by May 30, 2025.
We invite you to make a tax-deductible contribution to support this exciting project. Gifts made by March 31 will be tripled by a generous match from an Anonymous West Sonoma County Supporter.
What’s at stake
- 1,517 acres of resilient redwood forest and biodiverse grassland
- Headwaters of three Russian River tributaries—Dutch Bill Creek, Freezeout Creek, and Willow Creek—where coho salmon and steelhead trout come to spawn
- “Missing link” connecting 22,000+ acres of habitat for native plant and animal species
- Increased wildfire and climate resilience in a region at significant risk
- Cultural value as the ancestral land of the Kashia Band of Pomo Indians and the Southern Pomo territory of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria
- Expanded opportunities for public access and outdoor recreation from Monte Rio to the coast
The hills are alive
With open meadows amidst the redwoods, it’s no wonder locals have lovingly named one of the property’s scenic overlooks “Sound of Music.” You could easily imagine Julie Andrews twirling through the green grass, trilling over the panoramic views west to the forested ridges of Sonoma Coast State Park. Another viewpoint, Cassini Overlook, offers a glimpse of the winding Russian River, with Jenner Headlands and the Pacific Ocean in the distance. From this high vantage point, the interconnectedness of these lands—streams running to the river, forest giving way to meadow—is inescapable.
Closer up, individual trees emerge: lofty coast redwoods, with Douglas-fir, tanoak, madrone, coast live oak, and California bay interspersed. A few old-growth redwoods still stand on the Monte Rio Redwoods Expansion property, including one lightning-scarred giant that measures 14 feet across. But after serving as managed timberland for decades, the property is home to mostly new-growth forest that has sprung up from ancient roots. In a single human lifetime, these resilient young redwoods can grow more than 100 feet as they pull planet-warming carbon dioxide from the air and store it in their heartwood. Not only are these redwoods formidable climate allies, but safeguarding this land will set them on the path toward becoming the big, old-growth trees that support the highest biodiversity.
Where the wild things roam
Already, the property provides habitat for a cast of creatures, from small mammals like the Sonoma tree vole and San Francisco dusky-footed woodrat to winged residents such as northern spotted owl, pallid bat, and western bumble bee. California red-legged frog, foothill yellow-legged frog, and California giant salamander may be found in the damp riparian zone surrounding Dutch Bill Creek, Willow Creek, and Freezeout Creek. These three streams feed into the Russian River, providing fresh, cool waters for spawning salmonids. The protection of their headwaters, all found on the Monte Rio Redwoods Expansion property, is essential.
This haven for native flora and fauna also serves as a critical linkage in the Coast Range–Marin Coast wildlife corridor. Mountain lions, bobcats, California quail, and American badgers are among the fascinating animals that move through this landscape. Connecting this property to other conserved lands will secure and stabilize this potential breeding habitat, while also building wildfire and climate resilience for the benefit of wildlife populations and local communities alike.
Connecting and conserving this property is part of a larger effort to revive Sonoma County’s legendary redwoods corridor. With this acquisition, the League and our supporters will have helped to protect more than 24 square miles of forest land in Sonoma County, including recent acquisitions at Sonoma Coast Redwoods, Armstrong Ridge, and Russian River Redwoods, as well as beloved parks, preserves, and public lands at Fort Ross State Historic Park, Jenner Headlands Preserve, Austin Creek State Recreation Area, and Grove of Old Trees.
Next steps
The Monte Rio Redwoods Expansion is more than just a plot of land. It represents a future where everyone can experience the gentle redwood giants in all their glory. While this shared vision is clear and promising, the property’s fate lies in the hands of our generous private and public funders and dedicated supporters.
Save the Redwoods League’s immediate goal, in partnership with the Sonoma Land Trust, is to raise the necessary funds to conserve this essential redwood landscape. If we successfully acquire the property, the League intends to transfer all 1,517 acres to Sonoma County Regional Parks as a future expansion of Monte Rio Redwoods Regional Park and Open Space Preserve. This plan for public ownership and outdoor access aligns with our goal of increasing the number of stunning redwood destinations accessible to all.
Together, we can fill a key gap in California’s iconic redwood range and expand parkland for the health and enjoyment of locals and visitors alike. Right here in our backyard, let’s protect these critical 1,517 acres and connect miles of redwood forest, wildlife habitat, and vital waterways for generations to come.
Newsroom
PRESS RELEASE
- February 11, 2025 — Save the Redwoods League Enters Agreement to Purchase 1,500+ Acres of Redwood Forest
For media inquiries, contact Robin Carr at (415) 766-0927 or redwoods@landispr.com.
To access hi-res images, b-roll or drone footage of the Monte Rio Redwoods, please visit our media resources.
NEWS COVERAGE
- San Francisco Chronicle: ‘Ancient magical forest’ in Sonoma County to quadruple in size with new trails
February 2025 - The Mercury News: $24 million land deal creates 7-mile long Bay Area corridor of protected redwood forests to the ocean
February 2025 - The Press Democrat: Save the Redwoods League signs $24 million deal to purchase Monte Rio redwood forest and expand county park
February 2025 - SF Gate: San Francisco group purchases 1,500 acres near Russian River for $24 million
February 2025
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Tags: 2025, current, land acquisition, land deals, Land Project, Protect