Pepperwood is demonstrating a model for post-fire watershed restoration directly applicable to many California habitats. Our goal is to shape and share ecologically-appropriate ways to reduce hazardous fuel loads to help minimize the impacts of catastrophic wildfires.

In 2019 Pepperwood launched a three-year effort to restore and monitor key burned headwaters of the lower Russian River located on our 3200- acre research reserve in partnership with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Thanks to Proposition 1 funding, this project will yield multiple watershed benefits locally while creating a knowledge base to support regional and statewide watershed management efforts. With 95% of the property burned in the Tubbs Fire of 2017 and then 60% impacted again by the Kincade Fire of 2019, this project will provide a timely model of how to protect and enhance biodiversity and watershed resilience in this region as climate change increases the frequency and severity of droughts and wildfire.