FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 19, 2025
Contact: Stefanie Lao, stefanie@fcpcommunications.com, (818) 261-6871
Resources for Media: bit.ly/PIN-MonteRioRedwoods
Power In Nature Coalition Celebrates Plan to Conserve Coast Redwood Forest and Expand Protected Land
New Plan Will Help California Achieve 30×30 Conservation Goal
SANTA ROSA, CA — The Power in Nature Coalition is celebrating another important step towards California’s goal to protect 30% of its lands and coastal waters by 2030 (referred to as 30×30). Sonoma Land Trust and Save the Redwoods League recently announced their plan to purchase and conserve the 1,517-acre Monte Rio Redwoods Expansion property in Sonoma County. The protection of Monte Rio Redwoods represents a significant conservation achievement, securing a vital piece of the ecological puzzle that enhances regional wildlife connectivity, safeguards endangered species, and strengthens climate resilience in Northern California.
This acquisition, surrounded on three sides by protected lands, will connect over 22,000 acres of contiguous habitat, linking conservation areas across Mendocino, Sonoma, and Marin Counties.
“Monte Rio Redwoods Expansion is a cornerstone of regional conservation efforts,” said Eamon O’Byrne, executive director of Sonoma Land Trust. “It connects to thousands of acres of conserved lands, unifying decades of hard work and commitments we have made to protecting natural resources, habitat for threatened species and wildlife corridors for a healthy community. We are thrilled to join Save the Redwoods League and our partners on this milestone project.”
The Monte Rio Redwoods Project directly supports California’s 30×30 initiative by protecting 1,517 acres of vital forest and watershed lands. Scientists worldwide agree that to protect life as we know it, we must conserve at least 30% of the Earth’s lands and coastal waters by 2030. In 2020, Governor Newsom committed California to the 30×30 goal, and in 2023, that goal became state law.
California is making strong progress towards 30×30, but millions of acres still must be conserved in less than five years. Preserving the state’s lands and coastal waters will help address the impacts of climate change, protect animal and plant species at risk for extinction, and expand access to nature for Californians.
Monte Rio Redwoods is home to diverse ecosystems, including coastal redwood and Douglas-fir forests, a few coastal redwood old growth trees older than 1,000 years old, riparian habitats, and critical headwaters that feed the lower Russian River watershed. The property supports several federally and state-listed species, including the northern spotted owl, coho salmon, steelhead trout, foothill yellow-legged frog, and western bumblebee. Its protection is essential for maintaining water quality, preserving spawning grounds, and ensuring the long-term health of the region’s wildlife.
The property is home to the headwaters of three key Russian River tributaries—Dutch Bill Creek, Willow Creek, and Freezeout Creek—each essential to the survival of endangered fish species. In total, 3.6 miles of pristine streams feed into the Russian River and ensure high water quality. These creeks provide critical spawning habitat for steelhead trout and coho salmon, both of which have suffered dramatic population declines in California.
The Monte Rio Redwoods property fills a crucial missing piece in Northern California’s conservation landscape. This acquisition connects existing parks and preserves—including Monte Rio Redwoods Regional Park, Sonoma Coast State Park, Jenner Headlands Preserve, and Bohemia Ranch Ecological Preserve—creating a seamless protected corridor from the Russian River to the Pacific Ocean. It also ensures future opportunities for hiking, biking, and outdoor recreation, with the potential for a 20-mile trail system linking Monte Rio to the coast.
The project aligns with wildfire resilience goals, allowing future management strategies that reduce fire risk while promoting ecological restoration. This is an opportunity to restore the recovering redwood forest, setting it on a trajectory toward old-growth form and function, maximizing its carbon storage potential, and increasing climate resilience.
Monte Rio Redwoods Expansion is within the traditional lands of the Kashia Band of Pomo Indians, as well as the Southern Pomo territory of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria.
For more information about the project, visit: https://sonomalandtrust.org/current-initiatives/monte-rio-redwoods-expansion/
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About the Power In Nature Coalition
Power In Nature is a statewide coalition of community groups, environmental and conservation organizations, land trusts, Indigenous organizations, and Tribal members dedicated to advancing California’s 30×30 commitment. The Power In Nature coalition has identified nearly 100 potential 30×30 projects across the state and works on a broad range of issues, including biodiversity protection, climate resilience, equity, recreation, outdoor access, and social justice. For more information, visit PowerInNature.org.
About Sonoma Land Trust
Sonoma Land Trust works in alliance with nature to conserve and restore the integrity of the land with a focus on climate resiliency and is also committed to ensuring more equitable access to the outdoors. Since 1976, Sonoma Land Trust has protected more than 60,000 acres of scenic, natural, agricultural, and open land for future generations. Sonoma Land Trust is the recipient of the 2019 Land Trust Alliance Award of Excellence and is accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission. For more information, please visit www.sonomalandtrust.org
