First Timber Harvest by Redwood Forest Foundation: A New Chapter in Responsible ForestryA new chapter in forest history has begun in the misty ridgelines of California’s North Coast, where ancient redwoods stretch toward the sky and salmon still return to their creeks. The Redwood Forest Foundation (RFF) has officially commenced its first timber harvest—a carefully planned, ecologically sensitive operation that marks a milestone in community-driven forest stewardship.This harvest isn’t just about timber. It’s about trust, transformation, and the bold idea that forests can be managed to benefit people, wildlife, and the climate—all at once.A Different Kind of HarvestUnlike traditional logging operations, the Usal Redwood Forest is not owned by a private corporation or managed for short-term profit. It is community-owned and stewarded by RFF with the mission of restoring the forest while generating long-term environmental, economic, and social value.This first timber harvest, more than a decade in the making, is the result of years of scientific planning, ecological monitoring, and community input. The forest had been heavily logged in previous generations, leaving behind a fragmented ecosystem and limited economic opportunity for nearby communities.RFF’s approach is not to extract what remains, but to regrow what was lost—and to use selective, low-impact harvesting as a tool for forest health, fire resilience, and local livelihoods.What Makes This Harvest Sustainable?Sustainability is more than a buzzword—it’s a set of principles guiding every step of the operation.* This harvest is designed to:* Thin overstocked stands to reduce fire risk and promote healthy growth* Protect sensitive habitats, including riparian zones and old-growth remnants* Support natural regeneration by mimicking natural disturbance patternsEnsure long-term productivity, with harvest intervals planned over decadesAll activities are conducted under a Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) certification, which means they meet the highest environmental and social responsibility standards. RFF’s forestry team works closely with biologists, watershed experts, and Indigenous advisors to ensure that every action supports the ecological integrity of the land.Community Forest, Community BenefitThe Usal Redwood Forest was purchased in 2007 to create California’s first working community forest, where management decisions prioritize public good over private gain.This timber harvest helps fulfill that vision by:* Creating living-wage jobs in forestry, trucking, and milling* Funding restoration projects, including creek recovery for endangered Coho salmon* Reinvesting in rural economies along the North Coast* Supporting educational programs for local students and workersUnlike conventional harvests, proceeds from timber sales are recycled back into the forest and its people, not funneled away to distant shareholders. Every log that leaves the forest helps fund a more resilient, equitable landscape.Harvesting the Past, Growing the FutureUnderstanding the context is essential: this forest was once heavily clear-cut and fragmented. Many of the stands being harvested now are second- or third-growth trees—young, crowded, and stressed. Left alone, they are vulnerable to disease, wildfire, and stagnation.By selectively thinning these areas, RFF makes room for a more diverse, layered forest to emerge—one that can withstand the pressures of climate change while sequestering more carbon, supporting more wildlife, and providing sustainable yields over time.This is not extraction. This is regenerative forestry in action.A Milestone Years in the MakingThe decision to move forward with a timber harvest was not taken lightly. It was preceded by:* Years of ecological surveys to identify sensitive species and habitats* Carbon modeling to understand climate impacts* Public engagement sessions to hear community voices* Investment in workforce training to ensure local residents are part of the processAnd now, with boots on the ground and chainsaws carefully humming, the work begins—not with destruction, but with intention.Witness the Work, Share the StoryWe invite you to follow this historic moment in real time. RFF will document the harvest process through updates, videos, and interviews with the people making it happen, from wildlife biologists and foresters to equipment operators and community leaders.Visit RFF.org/harvest to learn more about the plan, see maps of the harvest zones, and hear firsthand stories from the field.This first harvest is not an end, but a beginning—proof that forests can be harvested intelligently, ethically, and in service of something greater.A Legacy of StewardshipThe redwood forest has always been a place of awe, resilience, and regeneration. This first timber harvest honors that legacy by forging a new path where environmental responsibility and economic vitality are not in conflict, but in harmony.It is the forest, restored—the community, empowered. The promise was kept.
