Protect, restore, and enhance the significant natural values of the Soquel Demonstration State Forest.
Provide watershed protection and conduct baseline studies and monitoring of hydrological resources.
Demonstrate fire protection using a coordinated fire prevention and control system which includes education and enforcement of fire prevention guidelines, Forest patrol, and vegetation management including prescribed fire, fuelbreak construction, pre‑attack strategies, and suppression tactics.
Improve fisheries and wildlife habitat to foster healthy populations and promote biodiversity.
Monitor, study, and implement controls for various forest pests using Departmental and outside specialists.
Monitor, study, and implement controls for invasive plant species.
Identify all significant archaeological and historical features and protect them during all management activities.
Conserve soil resources by reducing erosion resulting from flooding, earthquakes, logging activities, roads, and trails.
Demonstration and Education
Conduct innovative demonstrations and education in forest management including silviculture, habitat diversity, logging methods, hydrology, resource protection, and recreation.
Provide forestry education opportunities for the public, forest landowners, the educational community, the media, natural resource professionals, and environmental groups.
Develop interpretive resources to help Forest visitors understand the various coast redwood forest communities and the basics of forest land management.
Establish a volunteer program to assist Forest staff in providing forestry interpretation for visitors.
Provide suitable public access and parking.
Plan for a Forestry Education Center to be designed and constructed to serve as the Forest's focal point for demonstration and education activities.
Research
Conduct research in forestry and natural resource management, including the benefits and risks of forest operations in watersheds close to urban areas.
Serve as a laboratory for in-house projects and encourage research by other agencies, interest groups, and educational institutions.
Disseminate information obtained from the State Forest to appropriate individuals in an effective and timely manner.
Timber Management
Demonstrate sustained-yield timber harvesting practices through harvest operations that balance harvest rates with growth over time and are compatible with rural land use in Santa Cruz County, while promoting recreation opportunities, forest health, watershed protection, wildlife, and fisheries values as well as aesthetic enjoyment.
Protect old-growth redwood and old-growth Douglas-fir trees and recruit additional late‑successional forest stands.
Incorporate demonstration, research, and restoration objectives into timber management activities whenever possible.
Research and implement hardwood stand management alternatives including modification to enhance wildlife habitat, utilization for various forest products, and conversion to softwood timber stands consistent with the legislative goals of PRC Sections 4660-4664.
Recreation
Provide for recreational opportunities which are oriented toward foot, bicycle, and equestrian traffic and include trails, roads, and picnic areas. Limited camping may be permitted if consistent with Forest objectives.
Integrate recreation management, forestry education, resource protection and examples of timber harvesting so as to demonstrate how they can be compatible.