New Report Shows Significant Socioeconomic Benefits of Large-scale Restoration Projects in Redwood National and State Parks Region

April 03, 2025 at 09:11 AM EDT

--News Direct--

Tribal chairman Joseph L. James and Rosie Clayburn of the Yurok Tribe walk with Save the Redwoods League’s Jessica Carter and Sam Hodder among native plants planted as part of a revegetation effort at ‘O Rew. Photo by Evan-Marie Petit.

A new report released today by Save the Redwoods League and California State Parks reveals significant socioeconomic benefits of the Redwoods Rising and ‘O Rew Redwoods Gateway programs to Northern California counties around Redwood National and State Parks. These redwood ecosystem restoration programs bring much-needed revenue, quality jobs and critical environmental conservation benefits to the region, driving economic growth in an economically disadvantaged area of California.

“Assessing the Restoration Economy within Redwood National and State Parks” examines new economic opportunities made possible by large-scale restoration programs in Humboldt and Del Norte counties. The report contrasts the growing restoration economy with the legacy of extraction-based industries in the region—namely the historic industrial-scale logging of coast redwood forests.

"Together, Redwoods Rising and ‘O Rew Redwoods Gateway restoration programs have brought far-reaching benefits to our forests, local communities and beyond,” said Paul Ringgold, chief program officer for Save the Redwoods League. “Communities in Humboldt and Del Norte have experienced challenges following the decline of old-growth logging and fishing. This new report highlights how a restoration economy can provide stable, well-paying jobs that put valuable skills to work conserving redwood forests for future generations.”

Key report findings:

Generating Economic Impacts:
- In 2024, Redwoods Rising and ‘O Rew Redwoods Gateway restoration activities supported 200 jobs in the local economy. Many of these jobs were in industries related to tree harvesting and construction, which tend to pay higher wages than average jobs in Humboldt and Del Norte counties.
- Since 2019, Redwoods Rising has raised $97.1 million to invest in restoration work locally. This includes state and federal grant funding, private philanthropy, financial returns from the restoration work itself and California State Parks funding.
- Local and regional contractors and vendors are prioritized for the program’s implementation, ensuring that funds stay within the parks’ gateway communities. More than 90% of contractor hours from key partners are filled by workers from Humboldt and Del Norte counties.
Creating a Restoration Economy:
- Restoration activities broaden the economic focus of the area from industries like commercial logging and cannabis cultivation to a restoration economy that includes forest management, wildlife conservation and environmental restoration, which fosters stable employment with higher wages.
- Redwoods Rising is training a future workforce through its apprenticeship program, which has provided on-the-ground restoration training to over 70 college students.
- Redwoods Rising has integrated new technologies and practices into its work, creating higher-quality, higher-paying jobs that appeal to a broader workforce.
- Biomass removed from the forest during restoration work is processed and sold within the region for use as lumber, chips or biofuel. As a byproduct of this work to improve forest and watershed health, the revenue generated is reinvested in the program. The entire process of removing biomass—from crews to transportation to sawmills—represents additional economic activity through local jobs.
- From 2020 to 2023, biomass sales yielded $18.5 million that was reinvested to help offset the costs of forest restoration, the removal of old inaccessible logging roads and restoration of aquatic habitats. These sales also yielded $350,000 in Timber Yield Tax revenues returned to Humboldt and Del Norte counties.
Tribal and Community Engagement: Redwoods Rising and ‘O Rew Redwoods Gateway restoration work takes place in the ancestral lands of the Yurok, Tolowa and Chilula peoples. The programs engage tribal entities in restoration work and create employment opportunities in surrounding communities.
Enhanced Ecosystem Health: Parks gateway communities benefit from the restoration efforts within Redwood National and State Parks in multiple ways:
- Watershed restoration and climate resilience work achieved by these programs benefit local communities through improved flood control and wildfire risk reduction.
- Improved ecosystems, such as healthy waterways and reconnected habitat, help create future recreational opportunities.
Recreation and Tourism Benefits: In 2023 more than 400,000 people visited Redwood National Park, spending an estimated $29.6 million locally. As restoration makes possible new and improved recreational opportunities, increased park visitation would mean additional economic benefits.
- The ‘O Rew trails gateway construction is set to begin this year and significant habitat improvements at the confluence of Prairie and Redwood creeks will provide a world-class experience for visitors.
- While restoration work is the immediate focus of Redwoods Rising, restoration site improvements are creating opportunities for expanded public access and new infrastructure.

Read the full report at RedwoodsRising.org.

“Redwoods Rising is an ambitious restoration program that is bringing back the unique and wonderful coast redwood forest native to Northern California, and it serves as a model for public-private partnership-driven restoration,” said Jay Chamberlin, chief of the Natural Resources Division for California State Parks. “With nearly $31 million in economic output in 2024 alone, the program demonstrates that conservation and economic vitality can go hand in hand.”

Funding for the socioeconomic study was provided by Redwood Parks Conservancy, the nonprofit partner supporting Redwood National and State Parks.

“These restoration programs are examples of the power of partnerships focused on healing lands and waters collaboratively,” said Sal Munoz Moreno, executive director of Redwood Parks Conservancy. “By celebrating and stewarding our public lands, we can also ensure the health and wellness of our local communities.”

About Redwoods Rising

Redwoods Rising is a collaborative initiative among Save the Redwoods League, California State Parks and the National Park Service aimed at restoring the health and resilience of the iconic redwood forests in Redwood National and State Parks. It focuses on restoring 70,000 acres of degraded redwood forest landscapes heavily impacted by past industrial logging practices, with the goal of accelerating development of old-growth forest characteristics and protecting these unique ecosystems. Since 2018, the program has treated more than 4,200 acres of forest, removed or improved more than 70 miles of failing logging roads and restored nearly 6 miles of stream channels throughout the parks.

About ‘O Rew Redwoods Gateway

‘O Rew is a 125-acre ecologically and culturally significant property adjacent to Redwood National and State Parks. Save the Redwoods League purchased it for conservation in 2013 following closure of the lumber mill that had operated onsite for decades. In 2026, the nonprofit will transfer ownership of the site to the Yurok Tribe. In a first of its kind agreement in 2024, the Yurok Tribe, the League, National Park Service and California State Parks signed a memorandum of understanding for the transfer as well as significant ecological restoration and to formalize the four partners’ shared vision for long-term co-stewardship of the site as a gateway for the visiting public to the parks. The agreement marks the first time state and federal agencies will assist with stewardship and public access on tribally owned land.

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To schedule an interview, contact Robin Carr at 415-766-0927 or redwoods@landispr.com. To access hi-res images or b-roll of Redwood National and State Parks, visit the Save the Redwoods League newsroom.

Save the Redwoods League, one of the nation’s longest-running conservation organizations, has been protecting and restoring redwood forests since 1918. The League has connected generations of visitors with the beauty and serenity of the redwood forests. Our 600,000 supporters have enabled the League to protect more than 220,000 acres of irreplaceable forests in 66 state, national and local parks and reserves. For information, please visit SaveTheRedwoods.org.

The mission of California State Parks is to provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state's extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. Learn more at www.parks.ca.gov

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