Save the Redwoods League buys site of former old-growth mill from Green Diamond for $2M

Orick Mill site. Photo by Paolo Vescia
Orick Mill site. Photo by Paolo Vescia

Contact:
Jennifer Benito
Save the Redwoods League
(415) 820-5814
[email protected]
SaveTheRedwoods.org

SAVE THE REDWOODS LEAGUE BUYS SITE OF FORMER OLD-GROWTH MILL FROM GREEN DIAMOND FOR $2M
Landmark purchase will re-connect two of the largest and most magnificent old-growth redwood groves

Download Press Release PDF

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (September 23, 2013) — Save the Redwoods League, the only nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting redwood forests throughout their natural range, recently purchased a former mill site located at the heart of the tallest trees on Earth from Green Diamond Resource Company for $2 million.

The 125-acre Orick Mill Site lies on the boundary of Redwood National and State Parks (RNSP), and is surrounded by two of the largest and most magnificent old-growth redwood groves in the world. The mill, which processed old-growth redwoods for nearly 60 years, was located at the junction of US Highway 101 and the Bald Hills Road in close proximity to the Lady Bird Johnson Grove and the trail head to the Tall Trees Grove. RNSP is home to 45 percent of the world’s magnificent old-growth redwood forest and the tallest trees in the world. Here you’ll find mighty Roosevelt elk, black bears, bobcats, mountain lions, the federally listed northern spotted owl and the federally and state listed marbled murrelet. This property also lies at the confluence of Redwood Creek and Prairie Creek, and includes nearly a mile of Prairie Creek. Save the Redwoods League and their partners have been waiting for decades for the chance to acquire and restore this property.

“This is one of the most important projects undertaken by the League in a long time,” said Sam Hodder, president and CEO of Save the Redwoods League. “Its potential for positively impacting the environment, the community, and the experience of visitors from around the world is staggering. This ties together all the major components of conservation work: healing the land, providing crucial habitat for endangered and iconic species, building partnerships, creating connections between people and nature. It’s a thrilling opportunity — the chance to be part of a project like this is once-in-a-lifetime.”

The League plans to restore the meadow for Roosevelt elk that roam nearby and restore the streams for the benefit of imperiled coho salmon, critical steps in ensuring that RNSP continues to heal and thrive. In addition to restoration, the League will explore the potential for compatible development opportunities on the former mill site.

“We have been worked closely with Save the Redwoods League to complete this transaction and are glad to see the League considering future development options that will benefit the community of Orick,” said Neal Ewald, Vice President and General Manager of Green Diamond.

The former Orick Mill Site, once restored, has the potential to become a gateway for visitors to experience the wonders of the mighty redwood forest. Save the Redwoods League will be seeking input on ways to showcase the natural and historical values of the area, and conducting environmental studies to determine the appropriate level of restoration and development on the site. Generous public support will be needed to ensure the success of this ambitious and incredibly important undertaking.

About Save the Redwoods League
Walk through a redwood forest — home of the tallest, largest, and some of the oldest living beings on Earth — and you can’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of awe and peace among these magnificent giants. Since 1918, Save the Redwoods League has led the effort to protect the coast redwoods and giant sequoias for all to experience and enjoy. To date the League has completed the purchase of more than 190,000 acres of redwood forest and associated land. For more information, please visit SaveTheRedwoods.org, or to receive monthly email updates, sign up at SaveTheRedwoods.org/signup.

About Green Diamond
Green Diamond Resource Company is a privately held forest products company that owns and manages working forest lands in Washington and California. All of our forest lands are independently certified under the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI) standard. Learn more about Green Diamond Resource Company at www.greendiamond.com. In California, our forest lands are also independently certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®). Our subsidiary, The California Redwood Company, manufactures and distributes FSC®-certified lumber products that are known for their beauty and durability. Learn more about California Redwood Company at www.californiaredwoodco.com.

Editors, please note: For images or to schedule an interview with Save the Redwoods League please contact Jennifer Benito at (415) 820-5814 or [email protected] for Green Diamond please contact Gary Rynearson at 707-496-1941, or [email protected].


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