North Coast Annual Review

We believe that well-managed forests can be both economically viable and ecologically sustainable. We invite you to learn more about the major accomplishments, challenges and activities of our program.   

• 2023 North Coast Forest Annual Review
• 2022 North Coast Forest Annual Review

Forest Certification Reports

Since 2007 verifiers from the Forest Stewardship Council and Sustainable Forestry Initiative programs complete an annual field audit of the North Coast Forest Conservation Program. The program and our other forest projects around the country have been found in overall conformance with the standards — the two most strict and comprehensive standards for forest management available.

• 2023 Sustainable Forestry Initiative Audit Report
  2023 Forest Stewardship Council Audit Report
• 2022 Sustainable Forestry Initiative Audit Report
  2022 Forest Stewardship Council Audit Report

Management Plans

• Buckeye Forest Integrated Resource Management Plan
  In 2013, our Working Forest Fund, with support from the California State Coastal Conservancy, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District, Sonoma Land Trust and Richard King Mellon Foundation, enabled the purchase of the nearly 20,000-acre Buckeye Forest.
• North Coast Policy Digest
  The 2018 Policy Digest provides a summary of The Conservation Fund’s North Coast California forest management policies and was prepared to facilitate review and provide links for more information in a single source document.
• Gualala River Forest Integrated Resource Management Plan 
  The Gualala River Forest was acquired in December 2011 by The Conservation Fund, in partnership with the California Wildlife Conservation Board and The Nature Conservancy. As part of the sustainable management of the working forest, the Fund conveyed a conservation easement to The Nature Conservancy to maintain the conservation values inherent in the Gualala River Forest in perpetuity.
• Salmon Creek Forest Management Plan | Big River Forest Management Plan
  The Big River and Salmon Creek forests were acquired in November 2006 by The Conservation Fund in partnership with the State Water Board, the State Coastal Conservancy, the Wildlife Conservation Board and the David and Lucile Packard Foundation. The project seeks to demonstrate that large, understocked tracts of coastal forest can be returned to ecological and economic viability through patient, adaptive management by a nonprofit organization in partnership with private and public entities and community stakeholders.
• 2017 Updated Garcia River Forest Integrative Resource Management Plan
  The 23,780-acre Garcia River Forest was acquired in February 2004 by The Conservation Fund in partnership with the Nature Conservancy, the State Coastal Conservancy and the Wildlife Conservation Board. The project seeks to demonstrate that a large, understocked tract of coastal forest can be returned to ecological and economic viability through patient, adaptive management by a nonprofit organization in partnership with private and public entities and community stakeholders.
• 2006 Original Garcia River Forest Integrative Resource Management Plan
• Conservation Prospects
  A Review and Analysis of Existing Conservation Plans, Land Use Trends and Strategies for Conservation on the North Coast of California.

Sustained Yield Plan

• The Conservation Fund Option A
  This document is intended to describe the sustainable management and harvest levels for The Conservation Fund’s timberlands in Mendocino County, California. The Fund has elected to submit this Option A Sustained Yield Plan per California Forest Practice Rules 14CCR 913.11, which addresses management effects on timber resources, while considering watersheds, fisheries, wildlife, recreation and employment.

Sediment Source Assessments

Sediment source assessments have been completed by Pacific Watershed Associates for the entirety of the Garcia River Forest. A field assessment was done of potential and ongoing surface runoff patterns and erosion risk, then a long-term, prioritized erosion-control plan was developed, including recommended treatment prescriptions, typical construction drawings and cost estimates for controlling ongoing and future erosion along the surveyed roads and on adjacent hillslopes.

• Garcia River Forest Assessment Phase I
• Garcia River Forest Assessment Phase II
• Big River Assessment 
• Salmon Creek Assessment