Pomo Community Forest

California’s Mendicino coastline draws visitors from around the world who want to experience the beauty of towering redwood forests and coastal bluffs stretched above the Pacific Ocean. But long before the scenic Highway 101 traced the ocean’s edge, the Potter Valley Tribe lived in relationship with the land. This treasured part of the coast and the place they call home, once grew trees 20 feet in diameter and thousands of years old.

In partnership with TPL, the Potter Valley Tribe has reclaimed 48 acres of their traditional homelands, rich with meaning and sacred ancestral sites.

Here, they will establish the Pomo Community Forest, restoring access for traditional and community uses, including resource gathering, environmental education, youth camps, Traditional Ecological Knowledge programs, and ceremonies amidst the redwood, tanoak, and fir forests.

Once threatened by development, this landscape will now provide sustainable public access, offering opportunities for recreation, learning, and reflection, while protecting cultural and natural resources. It borders the planned California Coastal Trail, a 1,230-mile route from Oregon to Mexico, and complements nearby public campgrounds—expanding access while honoring stewardship.

The land will be managed for forest health, supporting a diverse and resilient landscape. These efforts will enrich educational opportunities, protect wildlife habitat, bolster the local economy, and restore the living connection between the Tribe and their traditional lands. This partnership paints a picture of how bringing traditional knowledge to the forefront of the conservation not only sustains the land, waters, and fresh air we all benefit from, but also preserves culture and connection to the land for generations to come.