A groundbreaking forest restoration effort called Redwood Rising is making significant progress in healing damaged redwood forests that were once subjected to industrial-scale logging.
The ambitious project focuses on the globally substantial forests within Redwood National and State Parks, which contain almost half the world’s remaining protected old-growth redwood forests.
These ancient forests store more carbon per acre than any other forest type on Earth, making them crucial allies in the fight against climate change. The project represents a significant collaborative effort to restore these ecological treasures to their former glory.
Despite their protected status and ecological importance, approximately two-thirds of the parks’ 120,000 acres of redwoods show significant damage from past commercial logging activities. Some areas were logged as recently as the 1990s, leaving behind missing trees and damaged streams, hundreds of miles of deteriorating roads, and compromised stream crossings.
These forests will not recover on their own in the foreseeable future. We must help,” explained a representative from Save the Redwoods League, one of the key organizations behind the Redwood Rising initiative.
The collaborative project unites Save the Redwoods League with California State Parks and the National Park Service in a shared mission to restore previously logged forests, protect remaining old growth, and ensure the long-term health of these iconic ecosystems. The partnership includes redwood enthusiasts, park visitors, local communities, and First Nations groups.
Redwood Rising addresses multiple ecological challenges beyond simply replanting trees. The project team works to repair watershed damage, remove failing logging roads that cause erosion, and create conditions that allow young forests to develop old-growth characteristics more quickly.
These restoration efforts will benefit numerous rare and endangered species that depend on healthy redwood ecosystems. The parks serve as critical habitat for imperilled salmon and trout populations, rare seabirds like the marbled murrelet, and endangered plants such as the western lily.
The scale of the Redwood Rising project reflects the magnitude of both the challenge and the opportunity. By healing thousands of acres of previously logged forests, the initiative aims to create contiguous habitat corridors that connect isolated patches of old growth, allowing wildlife to move freely throughout the landscape.
Climate scientists have identified intact forests as crucial carbon sinks that help mitigate global warming. Redwood Rising contributes to climate resilience by accelerating the development of mature redwood forests that can sequester massive amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
In addition to its ecological benefits, Redwood Rising creates economic opportunities for local communities through restoration jobs and increased tourism potential. The project employs local workers in restoration activities and engages with tribal partners whose ancestral knowledge informs restoration strategies.
Recent research underscores the urgency of forest restoration initiatives like Redwood Rising. Studies show mature redwood forests are remarkably resilient to many climate change impacts, including wildfire, when maintained in healthy condition. However, previously logged areas remain vulnerable until restoration efforts help them regain their natural resilience.
The Redwood Rising project comes at a critical time for forest conservation nationwide. In April, Save the Redwoods League announced its support for the bipartisan Save Our Sequoias Act, legislation designed to protect giant sequoias—close relatives of coast redwoods—from catastrophic wildfires in California’s Sierra Nevada region.
Approximately 20% of mature giant sequoias have died from extreme wildfires in the last decade, highlighting the vulnerability of these ancient forests to changing climate conditions and the importance of proactive management approaches like those pioneered in the Redwood Rising initiative.
Save the Redwoods League is also actively opposing proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act that would weaken habitat protections. The organization recently urged supporters to comment on a federal proposal to rescind the regulatory definition of “harm” in the ESA, potentially undermining habitat conservation measures that benefit redwood forest ecosystems.
The project exemplifies a science-based approach to forest restoration that balances immediate interventions with long-term ecological goals. By accelerating natural forest development processes, the initiative helps young redwood stands develop the complex structure and biodiversity characteristic of old-growth forests.
Redwood National and State Parks visitors can observe Redwood Rising restoration work in progress at several locations, including the Prairie Creek and Mill Creek watersheds. Educational programs at the parks help explain how these restoration efforts are helping transform previously damaged forests into thriving ecosystems.
With continued support from partners and the public, Redwood Rising aims to leave future generations with vibrant, resilient redwood forests that capture carbon, protect biodiversity, and inspire awe. The project represents a forward-thinking investment in natural infrastructure that addresses multiple environmental challenges while preserving one of America’s most treasured landscapes.
“Together with redwood enthusiasts, park visitors, local communities, and tribes, we will bring back the vibrant forests of redwood giants that once blanketed these lands,” said a project spokesperson, emphasizing the collaborative spirit driving the Redwood Rising initiative forward.
