Secured: A crucial stretch of redwood forest, habitat, and parks between Monte Rio and the coast
On June 20, 2025, Save the Redwoods League secured another vibrant redwood forest in Sonoma County. Just outside the Russian River hamlet of Monte Rio, the 1,517-acre Monte Rio Redwoods Expansion property is a conservationist’s dream: home to carbon-hungry new-growth redwoods and the headwaters of critical salmon streams, with open meadows that host diverse wildlife and beckon to outdoor enthusiasts. All within two hours of San Francisco and the many Bay Area communities seeking places to relax, recharge, and connect with nature.
And it’s now secured as public lands, forever. Immediately after our purchase, it was transferred to Sonoma County Regional Parks for ongoing stewardship and public access.
One glance at a regional map reveals how this acquisition has filled a crucial gap between conserved lands stretching all the way from the Bohemian Highway to the Pacific Ocean—a contiguous corridor of more than 22,000 acres. Safeguarding the property has allowed the expansion of Monte Rio Redwoods Regional Park and Open Space Preserve from 515 acres to 2,032 acres, and creates the opportunity for potential future trail connections to the beaches and campgrounds at Sonoma Coast State Park. It is also an amazing opportunity to restore the health and cultural significance of the ancestral lands of the Kashia Band of Pomo Indians and the Southern Pomo territory of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria.
The League, our conservation partners, and impassioned supporters have been assembling this jigsaw puzzle of wild lands and waterways over the course of decades. We are thrilled to have secured this crucial piece—a multiparcel property at high risk for development given its close proximity to residential communities and tourist destinations. Together, we conserved this land and its mist-cloaked forests, fern-lined streams, sunny meadows, and views that stretch unimpeded toward the horizon and the future.
What’s been secured
- 1,517 acres of resilient redwood forest and biodiverse grassland
- Headwaters of three Russian River tributaries—Dutch Bill Creek, Freezeout Creek, and Willow Creek—where coho salmon and steelhead trout come to spawn
- “Missing link” connecting 22,000+ acres of habitat for native plant and animal species
- Increased wildfire and climate resilience in a region at significant risk
- Cultural value as the ancestral land of the Kashia Band of Pomo Indians and the Southern Pomo territory of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria
- Expanded opportunities for public access and outdoor recreation from Monte Rio to the coast
The hills are alive
With open meadows amidst the redwoods, it’s no wonder locals have lovingly named one of the property’s scenic overlooks “Sound of Music.” You could easily imagine Julie Andrews twirling through the green grass, trilling over the panoramic views west to the forested ridges of Sonoma Coast State Park. Another viewpoint, Cassini Overlook, offers a glimpse of the winding Russian River, with Jenner Headlands and the Pacific Ocean in the distance. From this high vantage point, the interconnectedness of these lands—streams running to the river, forest giving way to meadow—is inescapable.
Closer up, individual trees emerge: lofty coast redwoods, with Douglas-fir, tanoak, madrone, coast live oak, and California bay interspersed. A few old-growth redwoods still stand on the Monte Rio Redwoods Expansion property, including one lightning-scarred giant that measures 14 feet across. But after serving as managed timberland for decades, the property is home to mostly new-growth forest that has sprung up from ancient roots. In a single human lifetime, these resilient young redwoods can grow more than 100 feet as they pull planet-warming carbon dioxide from the air and store it in their heartwood. Not only are these redwoods formidable climate allies, but safeguarding this land has set them on the path toward becoming the big, old-growth trees that support the highest biodiversity.
Where the wild things roam
Already, the property provides habitat for a cast of creatures, from small mammals like the Sonoma tree vole and San Francisco dusky-footed woodrat to winged residents such as northern spotted owl, pallid bat, and western bumble bee. California red-legged frog, foothill yellow-legged frog, and California giant salamander may be found in the damp riparian zone surrounding Dutch Bill Creek, Willow Creek, and Freezeout Creek. These three streams feed into the Russian River, providing fresh, cool waters for spawning salmonids. The protection of their headwaters, all found on the Monte Rio Redwoods Expansion property, is essential.
This haven for native flora and fauna also serves as a critical linkage in the Coast Range–Marin Coast wildlife corridor. Mountain lions, bobcats, California quail, and American badgers are among the fascinating animals that move through this landscape. Connecting this property to other conserved lands will secure and stabilize this potential breeding habitat, while also building wildfire and climate resilience for the benefit of wildlife populations and local communities alike.
Securing this property has been part of a larger effort to revive Sonoma County’s legendary redwoods corridor. With this acquisition, the League and our supporters have helped to conserve more than 24 square miles of forest land in Sonoma County, including recent acquisitions at Sonoma Coast Redwoods, Armstrong Ridge, and Russian River Redwoods, as well as beloved parks, preserves, and public lands at Fort Ross State Historic Park, Jenner Headlands Preserve, Austin Creek State Recreation Area, and Grove of Old Trees.
Thank you
The Monte Rio Redwoods Expansion is more than just a plot of land. It represents a future where everyone can experience the gentle redwood giants in all their glory. This plan for public ownership and outdoor access aligns with our goal of increasing the number of stunning redwood destinations accessible to all.
Together, through partnerships and with the crucial help of individual donors, we filled a key gap in California’s iconic redwood range and expanded parkland for the health and enjoyment of locals and visitors alike. The $24 million needed to secure the incredible Monte Rio property was generously provided by the California Wildlife Conservation Board, Sonoma County Ag + Open Space, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Sonoma Land Trust, the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, and an anonymous West Sonoma County family. And of course, thousands of individual donors. Right here in our backyard, we conserved these critical 1,517 acres and connected miles of redwood forest, wildlife habitat, and vital waterways for generations to come. Thank you.
Newsroom
PRESS RELEASE
- June 24, 2025 — Monte Rio Redwoods Regional Park Quadruples in Size with Newly Conserved Addition
- February 11, 2025 — Save the Redwoods League Enters Agreement to Purchase 1,500+ Acres of Redwood Forest
To access hi-res images, b-roll or drone footage of the Monte Rio Redwoods, please visit our media resources.
NEWS COVERAGE
- The Press Democrat: Saving redwoods for generations to come
June 2025 - San Francisco Chronicle: ‘Ancient magical forest’ in Sonoma County to quadruple in size with new trails
February 2025 - The Mercury News: $24 million land deal creates 7-mile long Bay Area corridor of protected redwood forests to the ocean
February 2025 - The Press Democrat: Save the Redwoods League signs $24 million deal to purchase Monte Rio redwood forest and expand county park
February 2025 - SF Gate: San Francisco group purchases 1,500 acres near Russian River for $24 million
February 2025
Ways to get involved
Donate TodayConsider a gift to support our work
Tags: 2025, current, land acquisition, land deals, Land Project, Protect