Sierra Pacific Industries Unveils $41 Million Reforestation Nursery in Siskiyou County

In a significant boost to California’s reforestation efforts, Sierra Pacific Industries (SPI) has officially opened a state-of-the-art seedling nursery in Siskiyou County. The $41 million facility, celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, aims to produce up to 25 million tree seedlings annually, addressing the critical need for reforestation in the wake of devastating wildfires.

Mark Emmerson, CEO of SPI, expressed amazement at the rapid progress: “It’s amazing to me to think that we had our groundbreaking on April 28th of 2023, and to have accomplished this in a little over 17 months is remarkable.”

The nursery, a collaborative effort between SPI, Cal Fire, and the U.S. Forest Service, represents a significant investment in the region’s environmental and economic future. Cal Fire contributed $3 million to the project through a grant, underscoring the public-private partnership at the heart of this initiative.

Jessica Hinojosa, who will be overseeing the nursery operations, detailed the facility’s impressive start: “We have sown and grown just under five million, very happy, very healthy seedlings, which you can see behind me.” She added that the project has already created 10 full-time jobs, with the potential to increase to 15 at full capacity, plus additional seasonal labor for sowing and packing.

Hinojosa also highlighted the rapid expansion of the facility: “We have four greenhouses completed with an additional five being built. That, including our phase 1 greenhouses, will give us the capacity to grow 14 million seedlings.”

Anale Burlew, Cal Fire Chief Deputy Director from Sacramento HQ, emphasized the critical need for such facilities: “California is losing forests to catastrophic fires at an alarming rate. Estimates for the total loss of forest land over the last 10 to 15 years at nearly 30%.” She praised the nursery as a key component in addressing this crisis, noting that “on average, 17 jobs are created for every million dollars invested.”

The U.S. Forest Service has also thrown its support behind the project. Liz Berger, Deputy Regional Forester for Resources in the Pacific Southwest Region, revealed a significant shift in approach: “The U.S. Forest Service is taking a new and innovative approach to doing business. Working with SPI means a lot in increasing management of the forest. We can do it together.”

Local officials welcomed the investment in the community. Michael Kobseff, Siskiyou County Supervisor, stated, “In a world view today of skepticism of corporations, the Emmerson family and SPI have provided the very fiber of economic development by this investment in the rural community of Gazelle, California.” Kofsteth also noted that Red Emmerson was recently voted Siskiyou Cattleman of the Year, underlining the family’s deep ties to the local community.

The significance of this new nursery is further highlighted by SPI’s long-standing commitment to reforestation. It was noted during the ceremony that Red Emmerson planted Sierra Pacific’s 300 millionth tree last year, a testament to the company’s ongoing efforts in forest management and sustainability.

The nursery is expected to play a crucial role in California’s reforestation efforts, with the capacity to provide seedlings for replanting approximately 125,000 acres per year. This initiative not only addresses environmental concerns but also supports local economies, demonstrating a model for future public-private partnerships in forest management and wildfire resilience.

As California continues to grapple with increased wildfire activity, the SPI nursery in Siskiyou County stands as a beacon of hope and a testament to the power of collaboration.