Having lost 90 percent of its territory during the 1800s amber rush , a historical memoranda sign on March 19 , 2024 , will see a region of ground returned to the Yurok Tribe , with plans for it to serve well as a future gateway to the Redwood National and State Parks , cope by both the folk and the National Park Service .
“ Today we recognize and celebrate the opportunity to returnIndigenous guardianshipto ‘ O Rew and reimagine how billion of visitors from around the world receive the redwood , ” say Sam Hodder , president and CEO of Save the Redwoods League , in astatement . “ Today ’s accord jump the operation of shift the narration about how , by whom and for whom we steward natural lands . ”
The 125 - acre web site , known as ‘ O Rew in the Yurok language , was taken and exploited for its born resource , include redwood tree back in the 1800sgold rush . In 2013 , the terra firma was purchase by the Save the Redwoods League , who have since work with the Yurok Tribe to restore and repatriate the realm .
Those cause have get a line the existence of a new stream channel , ponds , floodplain habitats , and the planting of more than 50,000 native plants , such as the iconic slide redwood . As a result , an orbit that had become degraded has now seen the retort of a wealth of species , including frogs , salamanders , and songbirds .
“ On behalf of the Yurok people , I want to sincerely thank relieve the Redwoods League for committing to repatriate this critical part of our homeland , ” say Joseph L. James , the Chairman of the Yurok Tribe . “ Together , we are creating a new conservation model that recognizes the value of tribal land direction . ”
That preservation model will see the Yurok Tribe working with the National Park Service and California State Parks , cross out the first sentence park services will have plump for visitation and stewardship on land owned by a Tribe .
“ This is a first - of - its - variety arrangement , where Tribal land is co - stewarded with a internal park as its gateway to millions of visitors . This action will change the relationship between Tribes and the National Park Service , ” saidRedwoods National ParkSuperintendent Steve Mietz , also noting that the body of work carried out so far has been “ mend the land while heal the relationships among all the the great unwashed who inhabit this magnificent forest . ”
The restitution of the nation to the Yurok Tribe is fix to be fill in in 2026 . Until then , there are plans to create newfangled accessible trails and exhibits for visitors . After the repatriation , the Yurok Tribe is project to build a traditional village on the site , as well as a visitor center that will aim to play up the finish and history of the Tribe and the state .
