COLOMA, CA. June 17, 2026. American River Conservancy is excited to share progress being made on the South Fork of the American River Restoration (SOFAR) project, a 1,943-acre ecological forest thinning project that spans four ARC-owned properties in El Dorado County: Salmon Falls Ranch, Lewis Ranch, Elliot Pond, and Wakamatsu Farm. The SOFAR project is being funded and implemented in partnership with CAL FIRE under the California Climate Investments Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Forest Health Program Grant.
The SOFAR project focuses on improving forest health and resilience through ecological forest management practices designed to restore more natural forest conditions. Many forests throughout California have become increasingly dense due to decades of fire suppression and prior management decisions. Through carefully planned restoration activities, ARC and its contractors are helping create healthier forests that are better able to withstand wildfire, drought, insects, and disease.
Project treatments include selective removal of understory and mid-story vegetation, often followed by pile burning to remove the biomass, and prescribed grazing to maintain the initial treatments. These restoration techniques help reestablish more balanced forest conditions that mimic historic disturbance regimes in California. These treatments are intended to support healthier watersheds, improve wildlife habitat, promote long-term carbon storage, and reduce the likelihood of severe wildfire impacts to our communities.
Since implementation began in May 2025, the project has achieved significant milestones, including:
- More than 588 acres of forest thinning treatments completed
- 216 acres of piles burned (approximately 7,000 piles)
- 148 acres treated through prescribed grazing
If you would like to see the forest thinning work of ARC, visit Salmon Falls Ranch and walk the Acorn Creek trail. Hand thinning, piling, and pile burning were completed along the trail last winter. Visitors can observe how these treatments are helping create more resilient forest conditions while maintaining the area’s natural beauty and recreational values.
If you have questions about the SOFAR project, please reach out to project manager, Autumn Gronborg, at autumn@arconservancy.org.
About American River Conservancy (ARC)
ARC is a non-profit environmental organization that preserves healthy ecosystems in the upper American River and upper Cosumnes River watersheds through land conservation, stewardship, and education. Based in Coloma, California, since 1989, ARC has completed more than 90 conservation projects and contributed over 42 miles of trails, while safeguarding over 31,000 acres of native fisheries, endangered species habitat, agricultural lands, cultural resources, and recreational landscapes. ARC offers public hikes, hands-on workshops, community events, and environmental education programs for people of all ages. Support ARC by volunteering, donating, and discovering more at ARConservancy.org.