For some time, this land was at real risk of being converted and lost forever. At least five vineyards have emerged nearby, with forests being clear-cut to make way for wine grapes—often to the detriment of coho salmon and other species. To protect the Gualala River Forest, we acquired the property in December, 2011, ensuring the land will be sustainably harvested to restore and maintain a healthy balance of trees, water quality and local jobs.
Protecting and maintaining working forests, and the communities that depend on them, remains one of the Fund's top conservation priorities. Watch the video to learn why.
Why Do Forests Matter?
At The Conservation Fund, we believe that well-managed forests can be both economically viable and ecologically sustainable, but like all other necessary parts of our national infrastructure, they need to be invested in and maintained. That's why, since 1985, we've protected more than a million forest acres across America. Protecting and maintaining working forests, and the communities that depend on them, remains one of our top conservation priorities.
Photo by Whitney Flanagan.
At a Glance
Gualala Forest traps more than 2M tons CO2 from the atmosphere—equivalent to removing 428,266 passenger cars from the road for one year
Contributes to the local economy by supporting 326 jobs
Provides important spawning habitat for coho salmon and steelhead trout
Project Experts
Scott Kelly Timberlands Manager, Working Forest Fund
Holly Newberger North Coast Program Manager, Working Forest Fund
Evan Smith Senior Vice President, Conservation Ventures
Business Partnerships
Conservation Acquisition
Working Forest Fund
