Far Northern
Regional
Group

The Far North region consists of Lake, Mendocino, Humboldt, Trinity, Siskiyou, Del Norte, and portions of Shasta, Siskiyou and Modoc counties, and includes over 5.6 million acres of some of California’s most spectacular public lands and waters that are vital to protecting the unique biodiversity and ecosystems found only here.

 

The region is also the traditional homeland of many Indigenous nations including the Miwok, Pomo, Yuki, Wailaki, Cahto, Sinkyone, Mattole, Nongatl, Wiyot, Pit River, Modoc, Lassik, Tsungwe, Wintu, Hoopa, Karuk, Shasta, Tolowa, and Yurok peoples, among others.

Sam Davidson, Trout Unlimited

Regional Lead

“

The crescent moon of northern California stretching from San Pablo Bay north through the Coast Ranges to the Oregon border, then extending across the Mt Shasta ecoregion to the Warner Mountains, offers some of the best wild country, wild rivers, and sources of clean drinking water left in this state. It’s also the last bastion for many listed or at-risk species of salmon, steelhead and other wildlife, and provides some of California’s best outdoor recreation opportunities. The biodiversity of this Far Northern region is extraordinary, as are its landscapes and indigenous cultures. There is a unique and widespread opportunity here for California to realize its commitment to protecting 30 percent of its lands and waters by the year 2030 – and to support the state’s climate resilience, equity, and tribal relations goals at the same time.”

Sam Davidson, Trout Unlimited

Gallery

Complete Lake Earl Wildlife Area

The Smith River Alliance and the California State Coastal Conservancy have been working in unison to protect the Lake Earl Wildlife Area as it is home to at least 15 federally and state listed species including the bald eagle, coho salmon and marbled murrelet. Incredible work is being done on this project and about 75% of it has already been conserved. As the parcels are acquired, the habitats are being restored as needed and access points for the Del Norte community will be prepared.

Complete Lake Earl Wildlife Area

The Smith River Alliance and the California State Coastal Conservancy have been working in unison to protect the Lake Earl Wildlife Area as it is home to at least 15 federally and state listed species including the bald eagle, coho salmon and marbled murrelet. Incredible work is being done on this project and about 75% of it has already been conserved. As the parcels are acquired, the habitats are being restored as needed and access points for the Del Norte community will be prepared.

Shasta Timberlands

Straddling the crest that divides the Sacramento and Klamath River basins, the Shasta Timberlands Working Forest conservation project will protect the headwaters of these mighty rivers. Pacific Forest Trust is working in partnership with the landowner, and forest manager Campbell Global, LLC, to permanently protect this 7,490-acre property’s rare and diverse habitats, securing lasting connections for wildlife and people with the neighboring Shasta and Klamath National Forests. This project is in the final stages of fundraising with action expected in 2023 – provided state funding remains available.

Shasta Timberlands

Straddling the crest that divides the Sacramento and Klamath River basins, the Shasta Timberlands Working Forest conservation project will protect the headwaters of these mighty rivers. Pacific Forest Trust is working in partnership with the landowner, and forest manager Campbell Global, LLC, to permanently protect this 7,490-acre property’s rare and diverse habitats, securing lasting connections for wildlife and people with the neighboring Shasta and Klamath National Forests. This project is in the final stages of fundraising with action expected in 2023 – provided state funding remains available.

Trinity Headwaters
This 11,000-acre acquisition of commercial timberland will allow nearly the entire Upper Trinity River watershed to be managed for fire and climate resilience, watershed values, wildlife habitat, and public recreation. This region, where the Klamath Mountains meet the Southern Cascades, hosts the most biodiverse conifer forest in the world. It is also a key source watershed for the Central Valley Project, sending water down the Sacramento River to irrigate millions of acres of farmland and supply water to millions of Californians. Depending on the availability of funding from the Wildlife Conservation Board and the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, this acquisition is hoped to be completed by early 2024.
Trinity Headwaters
This 11,000-acre acquisition of commercial timberland will allow nearly the entire Upper Trinity River watershed to be managed for fire and climate resilience, watershed values, wildlife habitat, and public recreation. This region, where the Klamath Mountains meet the Southern Cascades, hosts the most biodiverse conifer forest in the world. It is also a key source watershed for the Central Valley Project, sending water down the Sacramento River to irrigate millions of acres of farmland and supply water to millions of Californians. Depending on the availability of funding from the Wildlife Conservation Board and the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, this acquisition is hoped to be completed by early 2024.
Potter Valley Project Dams Removal / Eel River Restoration
The Eel River has the highest ranking for wildlife connectivity in the North Coast region. Dam removal on the Eel River will re-establish habitat for once-thriving populations of salmon and steelhead. Dam owners, PG&E are preparing their license surrender and decommissioning plans and will propose to remove both Scott and Cape Horn Dams. Local advocates, including the Round Valley Indian Tribes, have campaigned to remove the dam. After the license is surrendered and the project is decommissioned, the long road to removing the Eel River Dams will begin, eventually creating California’s longest free-flowing river.
Potter Valley Project Dams Removal / Eel River Restoration
The Eel River has the highest ranking for wildlife connectivity in the North Coast region. Dam removal on the Eel River will re-establish habitat for once-thriving populations of salmon and steelhead. Dam owners, PG&E are preparing their license surrender and decommissioning plans and will propose to remove both Scott and Cape Horn Dams. Local advocates, including the Round Valley Indian Tribes, have campaigned to remove the dam. After the license is surrendered and the project is decommissioned, the long road to removing the Eel River Dams will begin, eventually creating California’s longest free-flowing river.
Jackson Demonstration State Forest (JDSF)

Demonstration forests like JDSF provide a timely opportunity for the State of California to accelerate 30×30 by using these public lands to support California’s commitment to biodiversity, equitable access to nature, and Tribal sovereignty. The Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians have advocated that the forest is a cultural landscape and must be restored in order to restore their culture. Protecting this forest from ongoing commercial logging will protect cultural sites and permit more use of the Forest by Native American Tribes.

Acreage: 48,652

Jackson Demonstration State Forest (JDSF)

Demonstration forests like JDSF provide a timely opportunity for the State of California to accelerate 30×30 by using these public lands to support California’s commitment to biodiversity, equitable access to nature, and Tribal sovereignty. The Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians have advocated that the forest is a cultural landscape and must be restored in order to restore their culture. Protecting this forest from ongoing commercial logging will protect cultural sites and permit more use of the Forest by Native American Tribes.

Acreage: 48,652

Molok Luyuk (Walker Ridge)
The permanent protection of Molok Luyuk (pronounced “Ma.lok/ Lue.yoke”) is gaining strong momentum as congressional champions and advocates are supporting the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation in calling on President Biden to use the Antiquities Act to expand Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument to include this culturally sacred and biodiverse area. Molok Luyuk is home to dozens of rare plant species, 11 of which are endemic to the area. These lands also serve as a critical corridor between the existing monument and other protected areas for wildlife such as tule elk, mountain lions, and black bears.
Acreage: 13,753
Molok Luyuk (Walker Ridge)
The permanent protection of Molok Luyuk (pronounced “Ma.lok/ Lue.yoke”) is gaining strong momentum as congressional champions and advocates are supporting the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation in calling on President Biden to use the Antiquities Act to expand Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument to include this culturally sacred and biodiverse area. Molok Luyuk is home to dozens of rare plant species, 11 of which are endemic to the area. These lands also serve as a critical corridor between the existing monument and other protected areas for wildlife such as tule elk, mountain lions, and black bears.
Acreage: 13,753