PROJECT REPORT
CALIFORNIA 2023 ALDER CREEK PLANTING
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT Dear friend, Thanks to your support, a total of 49,360 trees were planted to restore 100 hectares of land in California. Planting trees in areas that have been degraded or deforested helps the environment by accelerating and assuring the re-establishment of healthy forests. Through reforestation, the canopy is restored, ecosystems are made whole, and biodiversity can thrive. None of this would be possible without you. On behalf of everyone at One Tree Planted, thank you! What follows is a report outlining the project you supported in California. I hope you enjoy reading it and truly feel the impact you have made.
OVERVIEW The objective of the California 2023 - Alder Creek Restoration project was to reforest over 200 acres of California forest that was burned in the Castle Fire of 2020. By replanting in these areas, this project works toward restoring iconic Giant Sequoia stands and wildlife habitat, as well as improving overall forest health, ecological functioning, and resilience to future threats.
TREES PLANTED 49,360
TREE SPECIES PLANTED 4
FAMILIES BENEFITED 10
HECTARES REFORESTED 100
WOMEN INVOLVED 3 JOBS SUPPORTED 14
ACRES REFORESTED 247 WILDLIFE SPECIES BENEFITED 20
TREE SPECIES PLANTED Four native tree species were planted across 100 hectares of land for this project: giant sequoia, white fir, incense cedar and ponderosa pine. Planting sites and species selection were chosen based on areas impacted by the Castle Fire, also known as the SQF complex. This ultimately led to a forest-fire recovery strategy for improving forest resilience as well as restoring wildlife habitat and the range of ecosystem services these forests provide. Heavily influenced by this plan was the selection of tree species utilized to restore the burned forest and work toward cultivating resilience to fires. With rising temperatures and wildfire frequency in the region in mind, four fire-resistant conifer species were selected as optimal species for reforestation due to their ability to withstand fire and suitability with the natural landscape conditions. Giant sequoia are notoriously tall, large and strong, but more than that, they are high in tannin, making them practically immune to the fatal attacks of fungi diseases, insects and high intensity fires. Their thick, pithy bark also provides protection and insulation for the tree, aiding in its survival. The selection of white fir, incense cedar and ponderosa pine were made for similar reasons. Primarily due to its bark composition, ponderosa pine is considered one the most fire resistant conifers in the west, and its resistance increases as the tree matures. In other words, their natural, compounding resilience will benefit local biodiversity and allow for added stability in the forest’s recovery.
SPECIES PLANTED THROUGH THIS PROJECT Giant Sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) White Fir (Abies Concolor) Ponderosa Pine (Pinus Ponderosa) Incense Cedar (Calocedrus decurrens)
TREE SPECIES
IDENTIFICATION & USE Giant Sequoia, also known as Sequoiadendron giganteum, is a coniferous evergreen tree occurring naturally only in California. These trees can be found in approximately 75 scattered groves on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, comprising a total area of about 35,000 acres. Giant sequoia are the largest of all trees in bulk, and the most massive non-clonal organism by volume. Its needles are rounded and prickly to the touch, and it produces small cones in the size and shape of a chicken egg. These trees are generally pyramidal in shape, and have reddish-brown fibrous bark that is unusually fire resistant. Although a number of groves of giant sequoias have been cut down, the lumber is more brittle than that of redwood, and the lower quality of the wood has been instrumental in saving the giant sequoias from destruction. Giant sequoia provide many necessary services in an ecosystem, including cover value, food, and nesting. Early in their development, large mammals can be found using the dense stands as hiding and thermal cover. Up in the canopy, over 30 species of bird have been identified that frequent giant sequoia groves. Some cavity-nesters that use this tree include white-headed woodpeckers and flickers, and an occasional perching bird such as nuthutch. Among the 29 pine species found in California is ponderosa pine. With over 100 pine species worldwide, ponderosa is unique in that it has two varieties: Pacific (var. ponderosa) and Rocky Mountain (var. scopulorum). Ponderosa pine grows on warm, dry sites where there are no levels of shade and lots of sun. At maturity, ponderosa can reach anywhere from 30 to 130 ft tall, and can be easily recognized by their cinnamon-colored bark that breaks apart in large jigsaw-like pieces. Mature ponderosa are also very fire resistant due to their thick bark and high crowns. While smaller trees and underbrush are more susceptible to fire, mature trees thrive in dry, open grassy sites where fires are common. In an ecosystem, ponderosa pine serves as a source of food and shelter for a myriad of creatures. With its nutritious seeds eaten by birds and squirrels, foliage eaten by grouse, deer, and porcupines, and rodents gnawing on its bark and wood, the list of services ponderosa provide to a forest ecosystem is endless.
YOUR IMPACT ON THE MAP The California 2023 - Alder Creek Planting project supported the planting of 49,360 coniferous trees across 100 hectares just outside the Sierra Nevada mountain range for the purpose of restoring wildlife habitat, improving soil stability and water quality, and reclaiming forestland that was once home to the iconic giant sequoia and was lost due to the Castle Fire. By reforesting these sites, this project strives to cultivate a sustainable forest capable of resilience to fires, and support for wildlife and the community alike.
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE IMPACT Fires are no new occurrence in California, though the lightning-caused Castle Fire of 2020 lasted nearly 6 months and burned over 175,000 acres. This fire burned on portions of the Sequoia National Forest and Giant Sequoia National Monument (131,087 acres), Inyo National Forest (12,508 acres), Sequoia National Park (18,984 acres), lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (736 acres), and more. It also threatened the Tule River Indian Reservation. Claiming over 70,000 hectares and a huge swath of forest, this fire is a reminder of how powerful — for better or worse — nature can be. Historically, forests were filled with less, but much larger, healthier trees. What this indicates is that fires, although when occurring in today’s climate can be devastating, can be beneficial for the long-term sustainability of forests. Fires remove low growing underbrush, clear the forest floor of debris, and allow sunlight to penetrate to the forest floor, opening it up and nourishing the soil. Moreover, trees that grow stronger and healthier due to less competition for nutrients are more likely to prevail against threats and disturbances, strengthening the ecosystem against future fires. In addition, restoring the lost stands with fire-resistant conifer species will not only allow for a more resilient ecosystem, but will aid in prevention of the most immediate consequence of forest fires: soil erosion. As a fire burns, it destroys organic matter and litter that covers — and protects — soil. And if enough fire persists, as is typical with high intensity events, it can cause soil to repel water, a condition called hydrophobicity. Giant sequoia is an excellent species to implement for this reason: it is remarkably resistant to the natural enemies of the forest (insects, fungi and fire). By replanting using this species, we prevent soil erosion from further degrading the land, improve soil stability and water quality, and reinstate vital wildlife habitat for a range of species. Thanks to donors like you, One Tree Planted has helped our planting partners achieve monumental change in restoring California’s iconic giant sequoia habitat as well as it’s capacity to support wildlife, recreational activities, timber production, and the local economy. This project’s impact will be critical to ensuring the resilience of these forests against fire disturbances, and safeguarding the many ecological benefits they provide now and in the future.
DOCUMENTING YOUR IMPACT Through authentic and informative storytelling, we help donors relate to the people who plant their trees and to the impact they're making for the planet. We share photos, videos, and updates from our global projects across our social media, website, and other media to create a personal connection to the incredible work happening on the ground.
PHOTOS FROM YOUR PROJECT
HELPING TO RESTORE THESE GIANT FORESTS IS A LEGACY THAT I AM SO PROUD TO BE A PART OF AND IT WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT SUPPORT FROM PARTNERS LIKE ONE TREE PLANTED.
BIODIVERSITY BENEFITS Roughly one-third of California is covered by forest, and with its varied geography including the highest and lowest places in the continental U.S. — and proximity to both ocean and mountains, it has become known for its exceptional natural heritage. This reforestation project helped to restore wildlife habitat for a range of yearround and seasonal resident species, including the chickaree, gray squirrel, goldenmantled ground squirrel, mule deer, black bear, mountain lion, and a variety of bird species. Resident birds will benefit from the enhanced canopy connectivity, including western tanager, violet-green swallow, white-throated swift, Wilson's warbler, olivesided flycatcher, hermit thrush, western bluebird, and pileated woodpecker. The chickaree is especially noted in this landscape for its relationship to giant sequoia. Chickaree make the soft flesh of green giant sequoia cone scales a major food item, with an individual chickaree cutting and eating as many as 3,000 to 3,500 cones per year.
GIANT SEQUOIA PRIORITY ANIMAL SPECIES:
Northern Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) - Federally Threatened Fisher (Pekania pennanti) - State Threatened California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus) - State & Federally Endangered Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) - Federally Protected
COMMUNITY
BENEFITS
This project will bring a range of social and environmental benefits to the local community, as well as the State of California as a whole. The immediate local ecological benefits of reforestation include reduced post-fire erosion, improved water quality and quantity, and restored wildlife habitat. The restoration and preservation of watersheds are particularly crucial to California in the face of climate change and the state's already limited water supply. This project took place in watersheds that are both important to the state water supply, and have been hit hard by the Castle Fire. In addition to this, there are climate and global benefits offered by planting trees. The climate is a resource upon which all human and non-human species depend. On a global scale and with respect to the climate benefits of this project, planting a tree in California after a fire will sequester carbon and benefit all of humanity. This project in particular will also offer long term climate benefits because it is taking place on land intended to remain in timber production in perpetuity. What this means is that a tree planted in spring 2022 will live for at least 60 years before being harvested, but more importantly, the mere fact of its existence will allow the property to avoid development and maintain ecological benefits. Likewise, the local community will benefit from the economic values and opportunities forests provide. Surrounding the planting sites is a rural community that is economically dependent on natural resources. By reforesting this area, the project provides immediate economic benefits to this community, such as employment of planting crews and foresters, as well as the more general economic activity of planting crews spending money at local shops, restaurants, and hotels.
U.N. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS THIS PROJECT CONTRIBUTED TO THE FOLLOWING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS:
WHAT ARE SDGS? Sustainable development entails seeking out solutions that not only boost the economic outcomes of developing and poorer nations, but also work to limit (or eliminate) our impact on the planet. Trees are one such solution. From creating jobs and reducing hunger to improving gender equality, cleaning air and water, absorbing carbon, protecting life on land and water, and more, planting trees can address all 17 sustainable development goals.
"Planting trees here will protect, restore, and conserve California's forests and related resources. As the trees grow, they will improve soil and water conservation, store carbon, moderate local climate by providing shade, regulate extreme temperatures, increase wildlife habitat, and improve the land's capacity to adapt to climate change.”
Meghan Danny
Global Projects Support Specialist
Brittney Burke
Director of Projects North America