Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Nearly 400 Acres Of Redwood Forest Saved From Logging
Trees along the Russian River are reflected in the water on Oct. 18, 2014, in Monte Rio, California.
(
George Rose
/
Getty Images
)
Topline:
Sonoma County partnered with a Redwood conservation group to purchase 394-acres of Russian River Redwood forest, including one of the tallest and oldest trees in California, the Clar Tree.
Why it matters: The land was owned in a trust by local timber logging company Redwood Empire Sawmill, over 200 acres of which was slated to be cut down in a commercial logging plan. The purchase of the land by Sonoma County and Save the Redwoods League last month will now protect the remaining old growth forest from turning into timber.
The Clar tree is thought to be about 2,000 years old and stands over 278 feet tall.
Support for LAist comes from
Why now: For years, conservation groups had been trying to save the land surrounding the Clar tree from logging. Earlier this year, the Burch family reached an agreement with conservation groups on a $6.5 million deal. The money had to be raised within months, otherwise the company would initiate its logging plans.
In October, more than 2,000 volunteers pitched in to donate and reach the sale amount.
What's next: Over the next year, Save The Redwoods Director of Land Protection Becky Bremser said the Russian River Redwoods are “going to go into Sonoma County ownership…they’re going to start a public access planning process to really determine what are the needs, what is the best way to use this, how to activate it for recreation.”
Go deeper: Visitors To The World’s Tallest Living Tree Now Risk A $5,000 Fine
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The critical findings are part of long-awaited after-action report was released Thursday. It contains recommendations for increasing emergency staffing and updating old systems. -
Diving has changed, mountain biking has been added. Here's where to watch the Olympics in person in 2028. -
'A Great Day in the Stoke' is a free, daylong event in Orange County billed as 'the largest gathering of Black surfers in history.' The fourth annual festival is set for Saturday in Huntington Beach. -
Kimmel returned less than a week after ABC suspended his show over comments he made about the assassination of right wing activist Charlie Kirk. -
Southern California might see some light rain tonight into Wednesday morning. After that, cooler weather is on the way, but expect the humidity to remain. -
A gate tax at Disney? It's a possibility.
Best of LAist