La Honda Forest Health Project

What is the project and what is the project goal?

While only time can create old-growth forests, science shows restoration forestry can accelerate the pace at which second-growth forests transform into mature, diverse forests that provide better wildlife habitat, carbon storage and fire resilience. The purpose of the La Honda Creek Preserve Forest Health project is to improve forest health, biodiversity and using the best available science and management practices. Stressors include pests, pathogens, and the compounding impacts of climate change, such as heat and drought stress, as well as the increased risk of catastrophic, stand-replacing fires that result in a fundamental state change (i.e., loss) of forested ecosystems. By protecting and accelerating the development of old growth forest ecosystems, the La Honda Forest Health Project aims to increase biodiversity, improve watershed conditions, provide enhanced wildlife habitat, and safeguard stable, long-term carbon storage.

What is restoration forestry?

Restoration forestry is a science-based practice of altering the development trajectory of a forest to a healthier, more resilient state. Restoration forestry projects start with an assessment of current conditions, then a prescription that matches the benefits of different treatment alternatives with specific goals for that stand of trees regarding forest health, habitat value, fuel reduction, and carbon storage. Treatments can include selective thinning of over-crowded trees to provide more resources, such as water and light, to larger trees with the potential to be future old-growth trees. Over time, the “future old-growth” trees grow larger canopies and add width and store carbon at a faster rate, making them more resilient to disturbances, such as windthrow, pests, pathogens, drought, and fire.

What is a Timber Harvesting Plan (THP)?

A THP is a permitting mechanism that will allow us to implement the recommended forest health treatments and road improvement work outlined in the Forest Management Plan. A THP is the equivalent of a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Environmental Impact Report (EIR), with CAL FIRE as the lead agency, and offers the most stream-lined, cost-effective, and efficient means of meeting the project goals, while simultaneously upholding rigorous environmental, public, and agency review standards. THPs are prepared by Registered Professional Foresters, are pursuant to California’s Forest Practice Rules, and undergo interdisciplinary environmental review and inspection from local, state, and federal agencies to ensure regulatory compliance. The THP process typically spans two years from plan development, public review, and CAL FIRE review and approval. Once approved, THPs are valid for three years, with the option to renew once for an additional two-year period. 

Why will some trees be removed as part of this project and what will happen to them?

Selective thinning of dense second or third-growth redwood stands is a restoration forestry technique that has been successfully used by Midpen’s conservation partners in the region and is proposed as part of Midpen’s La Honda Creek Preserve Forest Health Project. Midpen's goal in selectively removing trees is to create an ecological benefit. Selective thinning and strategic cutting help restore a more natural range of tree sizes and ages, increase light to the forest floor to support understory diversity, and create downed wood and snag habitat that many species rely on for shelter, foraging, and nesting. When cut trees can contribute to these habitat features, they are intentionally retained on site to enhance structural diversity and ecological resilience.

Where ecologically beneficial and feasible, removing cut trees from the forest reduces fuels for potential wildland fire and re-directs the stored carbon to a more stable state. If those trees can be reused commercially, our forest management policies require that any funds generated be put directly back into supporting the restoration project. Most trees will be too small to have any commercial value.

How is Midpen navigating potential impacts to protected species, such as the marbled murrelet?

Marbled murrelets are endangered seabirds that fly inland to nest high up in old-growth trees. In consultation with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), Midpen’s wildlife biologists determined that marbled murrelets are the only protected species within the project area that may experience potential impacts from project operations. Based on this determination, Midpen has completed a comprehensive habitat assessment and audio-visual surveys for marbled murrelet and has not detected any marbled murrelet to date. However, the project area is adjacent to known marbled murrelet habitat and portions of it exhibit characteristics of future high-quality habitat as they develop more old growth conditions. As such, Midpen has consulted with CDFW regarding any appropriate avoidance measures and modifications that may be warranted throughout project implementation and will follow the guidelines issued by CDFW. Midpen’s La Honda Creek Preserve Forest Health project will ultimately restore and improve habitat for the marbled murrelet by accelerating the return of old-growth forest conditions.

Is thinning the forest the only way to accelerate growth?

No. Prescribed fire can have similar effects by killing smaller diameter trees, effectively freeing up water and light and reallocating growing space to larger, more resilient trees. However, due to the unnaturally high fuel loads within the project area, prescribed fire is not currently recommended for this area at this time.