Fort Bragg, Calif.- August 27, 2025 – Critical habitat for the federally endangered Point Arena mountain beaver has been permanently protected through a donation of land to the Mendocino Land Trust. The conservation easement, encompassing 2.3 acres known as the Popow Redwoods, was gifted by the estate of ceramic artist Sonya Popow, who passed away in March after owning the property for over 50 years.
The popow Redwoods, located in unincorporated Mendocino County near Fort Bragg, features large second-growth redwoods and safeguards a vital ecosystem for several threatened and endangered species. This donation, alongside a separate easement received in August for the Windy Hollow property, underscores the Land Trust’s commitment to preserving Mendocino County’s unique biodiversity.
Windy Hollow is part of the Garcia River watershed, a known habitat for salmon. Beyond the mountain beaver, the area is also believed to support the federally endangered Behren’s silverspot butterfly, found between Mendocino and Salt Point State Park. The Land Trust also suspects the presence of other federally endangered plant species on the property.
The Point arena mountain beaver, a small, stocky animal with black fur, was listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1991. Habitat loss and development pose the greatest threat to its survival, according to the wildlife service.
“The donation, made by the estate of ceramic artist Sonya Popow, forever protect the land from logging and development,” the Mendocino Land Trust stated.
More data about the donations and the Mendocino Land Trust’s conservation efforts can be found at mendocinolandtrust.org.