Lost Forests Recovery in California

Fun fact! giant sequoias, found naturally only in California, actually need fire to reproduce. The heat from a wildfire dries out their cones and causes them to open, releasing seeds that are barely the size of an oat flake.

Those tiny seeds can grow into the largest trees on the

Before a seedling ever reaches a burned hillside, it started here, in a tray of small soil cells seeded by hand.

For wildfire recovery sites in California, growing trees from seed meant months of care in a nursery before they were ready to be planted outdoors. Workers placed seeds

Planting in post-fire terrain is hard, physical work. The ground is compacted, the landscape is stripped bare, and the sun sets before the day ever feels finished.

Each hole dug by hand is a small act of restoration in areas where wildfires have left little behind. California's

Among the charred logs and ash left behind by wildfire, something is pushing through. This young conifer has taken hold in ground that, not long ago, was burning. Post-fire landscapes can look barren for years, but underneath the surface the soil still holds life — and with the right

Restoration work doesn't make headlines, but it happens every day — boots on the ground, shovel in hand, as the sun goes down.

Across California's forests, the U.S. Forest Service works to put back what was lost, guided by science to ensure every tree planted has the best chance

Reforestation doesn’t end when the trees are planted.

When local communities are engaged, they take part in caring for and maintaining the forests—building ownership that ensures these landscapes last for generations.

Forests can suffer badly after long droughts and extreme heat—but restoration makes recovery possible.
By planting resilient native species and improving soil health, local teams help forests bounce back, protect biodiversity, and keep landscapes more resistant to future climate

We are currently working on a new planting site with a new batch of trees for you to plant!

Stay tuned...

Did you know? 🌱 When planting trees in California’s forests, the quality of the soil plays a huge role in their survival—especially in the Pacific West.

In fact, healthy soil can make the difference between a seedling thriving or struggling. California’s soils, rich in minerals

California’s forests have faced some of the toughest challenges in recent years—from wildfires to drought—but recovery is underway.

Reforestation efforts across the state are helping to restore native species, stabilize soil, and rebuild critical wildlife habitats. It’s a long-term

The little pine seedlings are ready to be planted!

Angeles National Forest provides water for nearly 4 million LA residents and is home to rare species like the Bigcone Douglas-fir. But repeated wildfires have put both at risk.

Reforesting with native trees helps stabilize the land, protect water sources, and rebuild resilience

Climate change has turned wildfires into ‘megafires’—burning longer, hotter, and leaving the land drier. This dryness fuels more fires, creating a relentless cycle that destroys landscapes, displaces communities, and threatens lives.

Reforestation and land restoration are crucial

In the summer of 1988, Yellowstone experienced its driest season on record, leading to massive wildfires that burned over 1.4 million acres, destroying seeds needed for natural forest regeneration.

We began its reforestation work there, partnering with the US Forest Service to collect

Extreme droughts have fueled unprecedented mega-fires along the west coast.

Planting projects like ours address water scarcity and climate change while helping forests recover in areas where natural regeneration isn’t possible.