In 2014 and 2016, California flew and dropped 400 whole trees from California grasslands into the Mattole Estuary, creating deep pools and cover while restoring historic grasslands
Logging and erosion degraded Mattole River watershed ecosystems significantly. Helicopters moved Douglas fir trees to create aquatic habitat structure. These whole trees altered stream flow and provided essential shelter for young fish. Upland prairie recovery reduced sediment runoff and restored hydrological function. This integrated approach connected forest management with aquatic habitat recovery.
