Through land conversion, redwood forestland is cleared and converted to another use, often as a real estate development,vineyards and plantation second growth forests from logging. When redwood forestland is converted, the forest habitat is removed. Of the original redwood range, about a quarter — approximately 625,000 acres — has been lost forever to land conversion. With Redwoods already occupying a limited area, we cannot afford to lose more of the redwood forest to land conversion (Save the Redwood League).
In addition, when the redwood forest is fragmented due to land conversion, the health of the remaining forestland is compromised. Studies show that biodiversity — the number of species in a given area — decreases significantly in fragmented forests. To thrive, large contiguous tracts of the redwood forest must remain intact
(Save the Redwood League).
Since it's founding in 1918, the League has purchased redwood forests and surrounding lands to ensure their permanent protection from the threat of conversion. The League also acquires conservation easements or agreements, which grant them the legal right to safeguard the forest from harmful land use practices forever. This way, even if the land remains in private ownership, it can never be converted.The League's Master Plan for the Redwoods guides it's efforts to acquire and protect redwood forestland,. Using the theory and principles of conservation biology, the Master Plan helps Save the Redwood League identify those areas where land protection is most critical
Land Conversion
Courtesy of Save the Redwood League