What development and fragmentation pressures exist on the Usal Redwood Forest?
Approximately 75% of the nation’s industrial forest changed hands between 1996 and 2008. Many of these new owners split off development parcels and then fragment the larger tracts when they decided to exit (sell) their property, usually over a 5 to 15 year period. While such transactions may be in decline during the current economic downturn, this trend is expected to continue during the next recovery. The Redwood region has been relatively fortunate in that the development pressures that are prevalent in other parts of the state, such as the Sierras, are not as acute in the region. However, while housing and condominium developments may not be sprouting up at the same scale, development pressure does exist. There have been many small tract sales that were generated by timberland investors as well as a number of large timberland sales that went to financial investors. While it is clear that a number of the new owners prefer to maintain timber production, it is also clear that subdivisi
