Forest Unlimited Volunteers Rise Up to Plant Redwoods

By Kimberly Burr and Larry Hanson

On January 4th and 5th, Forest Unlimited - the long standing Sonoma County-based forest and watershed protection group, planted 1400 coast redwood seedlings in an area between the Pacific Ocean and Sebastopol. The two properties that hosted the plantings are protected forever by conservation easements. Each day of the planting of the seedlings, volunteers receive a brief training, equipment, and a hearty lunch.

Since tree plantings began, thanks to the focus of Carl Wahl and Bob Nelson - whose group is a past beneficiary of Forest Unlimited’s support, plantings have occurred at numerous sites resulting in over 33,000 trees planted.

Tree plantings are focused on lands under protection from future logging. Long-time board members Lynn Hamilton and Don Frank who work hard every year to make the tree planting happen, have also placed their property under a conservation easement. Last year, Bodega Land Trust has worked diligently to assist other land owners in this effort.

“I am always inspired to see the enthusiastic participation of volunteers of all ages, colors, shapes, and sizes planting for a future they will not be alive to fully appreciate,” expressed member Kimberly Burr. “The spirit to be generous and good is still strong.”

Although relatively small, Forest Unlimited’s family has grown large. Many watershed groups have been formed and guided with the hands-on assistance of Executive Director Rick Coates. The Board of Directors strongly supports the ongoing efforts to teach and support watershed protection measures while also organizing large tree plantings every January.

Preparing for the tree planting takes many months of planning.