Musick Creek Restoration

Nestled deep in a burn scar of California’s Sierra Nevada, Musick Creek Confluence is quietly transforming devastation into living legacy. In a region scorched by wildfire and threatened by ecological collapse, this forest restoration project is rewriting the future.

Led by a grassroots team of land stewards and scientists, the work at Musick Creek is a bold experiment in ecological healing, native species revival, and mycelial reweaving of the forest floor. At the heart of this effort is a powerful question: 

Can we restore a forest not only to survive but to thrive, regenerate, and teach?

The team secured a bridge loan to unlock a $100,000 NRCS Conservation Stewardship Program grant. That funding will be disbursed in late 2025 — but the forest could not wait. The loan from the Mycelium Bridge Fund allowed Musick Creek to act sooner by hiring local crews, engaging volunteers, and planting thousands of native understory plants during the crucial fall and spring windows.

What’s Growing

1. 9,000+ saplings of native understory species, including drought- and fire-adapted species
2. Custom protective enclosures built from wire and reclaimed materials to increase survival
3. Canopy restoration efforts, including pruning and guiding regrowth of black oak trees
4. Site-wide stewardship, including mulching, moisture retention, and native plant reintroduction

This is the third NRCS-funded project for Musick Creek Confluence — a testament to their dedication and track record. But their work is not just about compliance or planting numbers. It is about care, continuity, and holding space for the return of life.

“Our growing island of native genetic diversity can be like an ark which will radiate this diversity in all directions.”

Why It Matters

In a time of accelerating ecological loss, Musick Creek offers a tangible example of what regeneration looks like when it is rooted in place, partnership, and long-term vision.

1. Ecological Restoration:
   Native plantings help stabilize soils, reduce fire risk, and rebuild biodiversity.
2. Watershed Recovery:
   Healthy vegetation slows runoff, protects creeks, and supports groundwater recharge.
3. Circular Finance:
   The Mycelium Bridge loan will be fully repaid after project completion — allowing capital to flow forward to the next regenerative project.
4. Community Engagement:
   Volunteers, neighbors, and local workers are part of the work — deepening regional connection and stewardship.

“We will share this future forest.”