Gualala River Forest
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.
LEARN MORE
- 2016 North Coast Forest Annual Review
- North Coast Forest Conservation Initiative
- North Coast Forest Conservation Initiative Reference Documents
- Gualala River Forest Integrated Resource Management Plan
- 2015 North Coast Forest Conservation Initiative Annual Report (PDF)
SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY? HOW DOES IT WORK?
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.

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
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Scott Kelly
Timberlands Manager, Working Forest Fund -
Holly Newberger
North Coast Program Manager, Working Forest Fund -
Evan Smith
Senior Vice President, Conservation Ventures