22/04/2026
The Yurok Tribe has regained control of about 47,000 acres of ancestral land along the Klamath River, including the full Blue Creek watershed. The land had been taken in the late 1800s and remained under timber company control for over a century, where it was used for industrial logging.
The return marks the culmination of a 23-year collaboration between the tribe and Western Rivers Conservancy. Over time, the land was purchased in phases and transferred back, with the final portion completed in 2025. The deal, valued at around $56 million, is recognized as the largest land-back agreement in California history.
This region is ecologically vital. It contains cold-water streams that are essential for salmon survival, as well as forests and habitats that support diverse wildlife. At the same time, it holds deep cultural and spiritual importance for the Yurok people, who have lived along the Klamath River for thousands of years.
With the land now returned, the tribe is establishing a salmon sanctuary and a community forest. Restoration efforts focus on healing ecosystems impacted by logging while reviving traditional stewardship practices such as cultural burning and sustainable land management.
This milestone reflects a broader movement across North America, where Indigenous nations are reclaiming land not only for historical justice but also to restore ecosystems through long-standing ecological knowledge.
Images are generated by AI and for demonstration purposes only.
Source: Yurok Tribe; Western Rivers Conservancy. (2025). Largest land-back conservation deal in California completed. Press Release.