Friends of Gualala River Protecting the Gualala River watershed and the species living within it

“We Speak for the River” That is our motto for the effort to raise $175K for an Endangered Species Act (ESA) lawsuit to stop the current, reckless Dogwood timber harvest plan, and other floodplain logging plans, in the Gualala River. It’s a daunting amount to raise for our small, but mighty, all volunteer non-profit. FoGR has received a $25,000 matching challenge …

By Lana Cohen, The Mendocino Voice, August 1, 2020 [excerpt:] MENDOCINO Co., 8/1/20 — Friends of Gualala River, a local nonprofit, plans to move their five-year conflict over logging in the Gualala River floodplain from Sonoma County Superior Court to federal court. The local conservation group is teaming up with the Center for Biological Diversity, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting …

by Guy Kovner, The Press Democrat, July 14, 2020 [excerpt:] A five-year battle over plans to log in the remote Gualala River flood plain has taken a big step up with a powerhouse environmental group’s declaration to take the case to federal court, alleging the commercial tree harvest would harm protected fish, frogs and birds. Friends of Gualala River, a …

From July 10, 2020 Independent Coast Observer Reprinted by permission © Copyright Independent Coast Observer, Inc. www.mendonoma.com Two weeks after the California appeals court enjoined Gualala Redwood Timber LLC from logging the proposed Dogwood timber harvest plan in the floodplain of the Gualala River, a federal lawsuit has been brought against the Dogwood logging plan as well. The Center for …

For Immediate Release, July 9, 2020 Contact: Peter Galvin, Center for Biological Diversity, (707) 986-2600, pgalvin@biologicaldiversity.org Charles Ivor, Friends of Gualala River, (707) 337-0147, cfifish@mac.com GUALALA, Calif.— Conservation groups today filed a formal notice of intent to sue the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and a timber company for failing to protect threatened and endangered fish, birds and …

Video: Presentation by Annapolis naturalist and artist, Liam Ericson, with photographic slides and woodblock prints of his explorations of the eastern portion of the Gualala River watershed. Wandering up steep slopes and distant canyons, Liam discovered and photographed hidden groves of old growth redwoods, giant oaks, yews, and other trees as well as many species of wildlife. He will focus …

Excerpt from press release by Sonoma County Ag + Open Space Wild and Scenic Gloeckner-Turner Ranch to be Protected Forever 3,364-acre ranch boasts significant natural resources and scenic values, offers climate change resilience SANTA ROSA, CA (May 29, 2020) – Sonoma County Ag + Open Space is pleased to announce the upcoming conservation of Gloeckner-Turner Ranch – a sprawling 3,364-acre …

Sunday, June 7, 2020, 4-5:15 p.m. via Zoom* Please join Friends of Gualala River (FoGR) online for a program by Annapolis naturalist and artist, Liam Ericson, as he presents photographic slides and woodblock prints of his explorations of the eastern portion of the Gualala River watershed. Wandering up steep slopes and distant canyons, Liam discovered and photographed hidden groves of …

News from: Redwood Coast Land Conservancy May 21, 2020 Sometimes it does take a small group of passionate locals to conserve a river estuary forever. In 2017, 113 acres of scenic and environmentally sensitive coastal wetlands and adjacent uplands surrounding the Gualala River went up for sale for the first time in over 70 years. The community came together, signaled …

by Guy Kovner, The Press Democrat, May 4, 2020 [excerpt:] . . . Throughout their lives, the world’s tallest trees — Sequoia sempervirens, meaning “always flourishing” — absorb carbon dioxide, the most prolific heat-trapping gas, and permanently lock it up in their durable heartwood. Coast redwoods are “a critical ingredient in the fight against climate change,” said Sam Hodder, president …

Gualala, CA. (April 13, 2020) – Friends of Gualala River (FoGR) recently took legal action to appeal the decision on the Dogwood timber harvest plan (THP) to the State Appellate Court. In addition, FoGR sought an injunction on logging until the appeal could be heard. The court granted the injunction last week which temporarily suspends logging of Dogwood. Gualala Redwood …

Thanks to the new Gualala River watershed signs, travelers on local roads will now know when they enter the watershed, one that spans 300 square miles of Sonoma and Mendocino counties. Friends of Gualala River (FoGR), a non-profit dedicated to the protection of the river and its watershed, coordinated installation of nine road signs marking the outer boundaries of this …

Dominating the celebratory opening of the first meeting of the new year for Friends of Gualala River (FoGR) was the continuing relief, pleasure, gratitude, and absolute joy in learning that Mill Bend is now in the hands of Redwood Coast Land Conservancy. See the article Mill Bend in Conservation Hands by John Walton, telling more about this achievement for all …

During the last year, Friends of Gualala River (FoGR) and its all-volunteer membership made great strides with countless hours of work to protect the river and advocate for all the plant and animal species that are part of the watershed. We have used our donated monies to continue the battle to stop egregious floodplain logging plans by hiring attorneys and …

by Jeanne Jackson The Return to Writ on the Dogwood timber harvest plan (THP) was heard Friday Jan. 24, 2020, in Superior Court by Judge Wick. The two matters being considered were “alternatives” and “cumulative impacts.” In a tentative ruling, Judge Wick ruled against FoGR and sided with Cal-Fire. The final ruling from the hearing is due shortly. The one …

by John Walton   In the fall of 2017, the Friends of Gualala River (FoGR) working group considered a proposal to engage the community in a discussion regarding the 112 acre Mill Bend Properties, including the estuary of the river, that had recently been offered for sale for the first time in nearly 70 years. FoGR’s Board suggested presenting the …

We include here a list of donors to Friends of Gualala River (FoGR) throughout 2019. If you join this group for 2020, you’ll enjoy and appreciate the company of others who care about protecting our river. We can guarantee this reward! Allemal Foundation Anonymous Robin Applegarth Barbara Baer Laura Baker Christina Batt Tempra Board Mary Boyvey Ellen Brown Craig Brestrup …

Update – November, 2019: Added Pre-Harvest Inspection report by California Department of Fish and Wildlife, along with the attached “Revised Flood Prone Area Assessment of the Little THP” and two maps from that attachment. Also added a letter from National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) commenting on the Little THP. — see below. Gualala Redwoods Timber has submitted another floodplain logging …

by Alastair Bland, Nation Public Radio’s “The Salt,” November 18, 2019 [excerpt:] After California wine industry mogul Hugh Reimers illegally destroyed at least 140 acres of forest, meadow and stream in part to make way for new vineyards sometime last winter, according to a report from state investigators, state officials ordered the Krasilsa Pacific Farms manager to repair and mitigate …

by Mary Callahan, The Press Democrat, November 4, 2019 [excerpt:] A 112-acre swath of land just inside the mouth of the Gualala River, including 13 acres of river frontage adjacent to Gualala Point Regional Park, is on its way to permanent preservation for public recreation and habitat conservation. Long sought by the community to improve public access to the river …