Save the Redwoods League Aims to Preserve 1,624 Acres of Sonoma Coast Redwoods

The Save the Redwoods League has identified a critical opportunity to conserve 1,624 acres of redwood forest and coastal prairies along California's Sonoma Coast, a move that could prevent the area from being lost to residential development. With a deadline of December 31, 2024, the League is racing to raise $16 million to secure the future of this ecologically and culturally significant landscape.

Located just north of San Francisco, the Sonoma Coast Redwoods property is a biodiversity hotspot, featuring second-growth coast redwood forests, some of which are up to 1,000 years old, and biodiverse coastal prairies. The land not only offers breathtaking ocean views but also plays a pivotal role in carbon storage and climate mitigation, thanks to the redwoods' unparalleled ability to sequester carbon.

Sam Hodder, president and CEO of Save the Redwoods League, underscores the property's importance, citing its climate-resilient habitat, recreational potential, and deep Indigenous history. The land is part of the ancestral territory of the Kashia Band of Pomo Indians, who have stewarded it for millennia, contributing to its rich biological diversity.

The conservation effort aligns with California's ambitious 30x30 goals, aiming to protect 30% of the state's land and coastal waters by 2030. Successfully acquiring the Sonoma Coast Redwoods would not only prevent harmful development but also enhance the area's fire resilience and potentially expand public access, including the extension of the California Coastal Trail.

With $7 million already secured towards the $16 million goal, the League's initiative represents a crucial step forward in preserving California's natural heritage. Protecting the Sonoma Coast Redwoods would ensure the survival of vital ecosystems, support climate resilience, and safeguard a piece of the state's history for future generations to cherish.