‘Inimim Forest Restoration Project

YWI’s flagship collaboration with BLM to restore historical forest structure and resilient function on Nevada County's San Juan Ridge.

At a glance

Landscape: ~2,000 acres (12 BLM parcels)
Total funding: $3M+ secured since 2018
Completed phases: Phase 1 (2018-2022) + Phase 2 (2020-2023)
Phase 3 treated to date: 292.8 acres (of ~304 planned)
Treatments: Understory fuels reduction, canopy thinning, prescribed firei
Status: Active — Phase 3 completing, grant closing Spring 2027

Map

Partners

Since 2018, YWI, BLM, and state partners have sequenced the ’Inimim Forest work into multi-year phases that layer planning, implementation, and monitoring to keep treatments moving across the landscape.

Phase 1 Implementation (2018–2022)

Funding: $414,678 CAL FIRE (2018) · $300K SNC (2019) + BLM in-kind work

Understory fuels reduction across Shields Camp and Bear Tree parcels, tying into BLM’s 2018 treatments.
Established shaded fuel breaks along primary access routes and addressed hazard trees.
523 acres treated across CAL FIRE, SNC, and BLM funded work.

Phase 2 Implementation (2020–2023)

Funding: $1M SNC grant awarded in 2020

Expanded understory fuels reduction on the Big Parcel, focusing on interior units away from roads.
Shifted toward ecological restoration — thinning to release legacy pines and black oaks, and promote ecosystem resilience.
337 acres treated.

Phase 3 Implementation (2024–2027)

Funding: $1.2M Sierra Nevada Conservancy grant (Agreement #1507, amended Jan 2025)

Forest restoration and timber harvest across ~304 acres on BLM parcels near Jackass Flats Rd, North Canyon Rd, and Backbone Rd. Work includes mechanical thinning, biomass removal, and fuels treatment designed to restore forest structure and reduce wildfire risk.
Biomass harvest (≈253 acres): Thin per pre-marked trees and D×P guidelines; skid and deck merchantable logs for BLM; pile or masticate slash and unmerchantable material.
Mechanical mastication (≈13 acres) targeting dense manzanita and small-tree regrowth up to 10″ diameter.
Hand thinning (≈38 acres) in steep or sensitive terrain — cut, pile, or chip trees ≤ 10″ diameter.
Invasive plant control (≈2 acres) targeting Scotch broom and other invasive species.
Field operations: November – February each year (2024 – 2027). Work pauses or adjusts under BLM fire restrictions.
Objectives: Reduce ladder and canopy fuels; increase resilience to wildfire, drought, and insects; promote mixed-age pine, Douglas-fir, and hardwood regeneration; and enhance safety for nearby communities and fire personnel.

Timeline

1991 — Cooperative Management Agreement with BLM creates the ’Inimim Forest.
1995 — First ’Inimim Forest Management Plan guides restoration.
2018 — SNC planning grant ($75K) funds surveys + NEPA; BLM launches understory fuels work, kicking off Phase 1; CAL FIRE funds Phase 1 implementation.
2019 — Phase 1 implementation starts; SNC implementation funds awarded.
2020–2023 — Phase 2 underway via $1M SNC award (337 acres).
2023 — SNC awards $1.2M for Phase 3; cumulative project funding passes $3M.
2024–2026 — Phase 3 timber harvest: 256 acres harvested (~750,000 board feet to Sierra Pacific Industries); 292.8 acres total treated to date across all methods.
Spring 2026 — Slash pile burn completed March 31–April 9 by BLM and Terra Fuego Resource Foundation crew (~250 acres of machine piles, ≥85% biomass reduction).
Fall 2026 — Remaining ~11 acres of hand thinning (Long View BLM parcel) + Scotch broom removal and pile re-burns planned.
Spring 2027 — Grant close-out and final reporting.