McKay Community Forest Partially Open for Public Use Local Officials and Stakeholders Celebrate Opening of Northridge Parking Area and First Set of Forest Trails
The McKay Community Forest is located southeast of Eureka along the urban-forest interface near Myrtletown, Cutten, and Ridgewood Heights. The community forest was established when Humboldt County acquired a total of 1,194 acres of forestland from the Green Diamond Resource Company in a two-phase acquisition, with support from The Trust for Public Land and several federal and state funding agencies.
The public gained access on September 2022 to the first set of recreation trails.
The community forest is envisioned as a place that enhances quality of life by providing opportunities to experience a diverse, dynamic, and productive forest. The forest will be managed for multiple purposes including public access and recreation, sustainable timber harvest, and watershed and resource conservation. Revenues generated through timber harvest will offset the costs of management and maintenance and fund the development of trails, access points, and other amenities.
“Green Diamond Resource Company is proud to see this vision become a reality and for the public to have safe access to this community forest,” said Peter Jackson, Vice President and General Manager of California Operations, Green Diamond Resource Company. “The multi-group public-private partnership formed by the county is a critical element to this project. It’s brought together several diverse groups and serves as a model of cooperation for mutual benefit and a ‘win’ for everyone.”
More information can be found here: McKay Community Forest and here: Green Diamond’s McKay Forest Press Release