The Santa Cruz Mountains Long Term Forest Stewardship Monitoring Program is a partnership of managers, researchers, and landowners focused on standardized, long-term monitoring of forest stewardship activities in the coast redwood forests of the Santa Cruz Mountains. By consistently monitoring a wide range of forest stewardship projects and methods over time, we will provide science-guided information to inform future management decisions and improve our understanding of those methods that most effectively build forest resilience, protect and enhance biodiversity, and reduce wildfire risk and effects in coast redwood and associated forest systems.
Funded as a CalFire Forest Health Research Grant in 2024 titled "Optimizing and Scaling Standardized Forest Treatment and Disturbance Monitoring in the Coast Redwood Region", the resulting program will:
- establish a standardized forest stewardship monitoring protocol for the coast redwood region, in collaboration with grant partners and ongoing monitoring efforts of managers and researchers
- create the Santa Cruz Mountains Long-Term Forest Monitoring Plot Network, a network of forest inventory plots spread strategically across Santa Cruz Mountains forest stewardship projects, disturbances, and undisturbed forests.
- disseminate these resources to increase the pace and scale of forest stewardship monitoring throughout the coast redwood region.
Plot network data will be made available on request to land managers, researchers, and students for future research applications that seek to understand the long-term influence of forest stewardship activities on biodiversity, forest health and growth, wildfire risk reduction, and more.
Program Partners
The program includes over 10 land management organization partners throughout the Santa Cruz Mountains. The program, plot network, data, and its protocols are collaboratively administered by the following organizations:
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Funding
Funding for Optimizing and Scaling Standardized Forest Treatment and Disturbance Monitoring in the Coast Redwood Region was provided by CAL FIRE’s Forest Health Research Program, as part of California Climate Investments. California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing GHG emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment– particularly in disadvantaged communities. The Cap-and-Trade program also creates a financial incentive for industries to invest in clean technologies and develop innovative ways to reduce pollution. California Climate Investments projects include affordable housing, renewable energy, public transportation, zero-emission vehicles, environmental restoration, more sustainable agriculture, recycling, and much more. At least 35 percent of these investments are located within and benefiting residents of disadvantaged communities, low-income communities, and low-income households across California. For more information, visit the California Climate Investments website at: www.caclimateinvestments.ca.gov.