August 22, 2024
Posted in: Press Releases
SANTA ROSA, CA (August 22, 2024) – On Tuesday, the Ag + Open Space and Russian River County Sanitation District Board of Directors approved $6,180,000 to purchase and transfer ownership of the 394-acre Russian River Redwoods property from Save the Redwoods League (League) to the Russian River County Sanitation District, which is managed by Sonoma Water. The property, located south of Guerneville on the southeast side of the Russian River between Neeley Road and Mays Canyon Road, has historically been used for timber harvest but was long eyed for conservation given its scenic river frontage and stand of redwood trees, including the ancient and beloved Clar Tree.
“Conservation of the Russian River Redwoods property is a deeply important and exciting moment for West County,” said Ag + Open Space and Sanitation District Director Lynda Hopkins. “We know the community has long dreamed of this property being conserved, and I’m proud to see this vital place stewarded for us all, now and in the future.”
Credit: Vivian Chen / photo courtesy of Save the Redwoods League
Conserving this property has been a truly collaborative effort, with Save the Redwoods League first acquiring the property from RMB Revocable Family Trust in September 2023. Since then, Ag + Open Space, the Sanitation District and the League have worked together to bring forth the deal approved this week. When the deal closes next month, the Russian River County Sanitation District will be the new landowner, with Ag + Open Space funding the purchase and acquiring a conservation easement and recreation covenant to ensure the property’s natural resources are conserved forever, while also creating an opportunity for future public access.
“Properties like Russian River Redwoods really speak to the heart of our work,” says Ag + Open Space General Manager Misti Arias. “From the Clar Tree and redwood stands, to the Russian River waterfront, this property holds diverse and critical natural resources that help define our county’s character and help keep our air and water clean.”
The Russian River County Sanitation District will continue to utilize the property for sanitation purposes and will preserve and protect the conservation values of the property, including the natural resources such as redwood and Douglas fir forest, riparian habitats along the Russian River and Mays Canyon Creek.
Nearly all the old-growth redwood trees at Russian River Redwoods were cut down more than 100 years ago – all except the Clar Tree. This ancient giant is 16 feet in diameter and stands 278 feet tall after the intense winter storms of 2023 sheared roughly 30 feet off the top. The Clar Tree is surrounded by younger redwoods that are regrowing from the roots of the ancient giants, and there are dozens of mature trees throughout the property, many of them a century old.
Sitting within the traditional lands of the Pomo people, Russian River Redwoods is brimming with cultural and natural significance. The property also includes a half-mile section of Mays Canyon Creek, a well-known stream for steelhead, and connects a contiguous habitat corridor of more than 4,000 acres of protected lands, home to northern spotted owls, bobcats, gray foxes and red tree voles.
During its brief ownership, Save the Redwoods League invested in improvements to fire safety, water quality and site security. The League has also agreed to complete an interim forest management plan, focused on strategies to reduce wildfire risk to the property and adjacent communities. The plan will also address the proliferation of invasive species and improve overall forest health.
“This stretch of the Russian River is one of the most beloved scenic recreation areas in Northern California, and that’s due in large part to the redwoods that line its banks, including the Clar Tree,” said Jeff Stump, director of land protection for Save the Redwoods League. “The League was glad to step in to permanently protect this property. We want especially to thank Director Lynda Hopkins for her leadership in securing this week’s vote of approval, as well as Ag + Open Space for providing the funds for the acquisition and putting a conservation easement in place. There’s still more work ahead to bring this project to completion, but together we are setting the stage for nearly 400 acres of redwood forest to heal and become old again, so future generations can experience what was lost so long ago.”
To access hi-res images and b-roll, visit the League’s online newsroom.
About Sonoma County Ag + Open Space
Sonoma County Ag + Open Space permanently protects the diverse agricultural, natural resource and scenic open space lands of Sonoma County for future generations. The agency is responsible for the perpetual protection of over 124,000 acres of land throughout our region. These agricultural and open space lands are protected through a quarter-cent sales tax approved by voters in 1990 and reauthorized in 2006. For more information, please visit www.sonomaopenspace.org.
About Save the Redwoods League
One of the nation’s longest-running conservation organizations, Save the Redwoods League has been protecting and restoring redwood forests since 1918. The League has connected generations of visitors with the beauty and serenity of the redwood forests. Our 400,000 supporters have enabled the League to protect more than 220,000 acres of irreplaceable forests in 66 state, national, and local parks and reserves. For information, please visit SaveTheRedwoods.org
Ag + Open Space Contact:
Lauren Alpert
Lauren.alpert@sonoma-county.org
707/565.7345
Sonoma Water Contact:
Stuart Tiffen
stuart.tiffen@scwa.ca.gov
707/565.1223
Save the Redwoods League Contact:
Polly Ikonen, Landis Communications for Save the Redwoods League
redwoods@landispr.com
415/766.9522