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David Cowman joins Sempervirens Fund as Director of Land Stewardship

David Cowman smiles into the camera wearing a Sempervirens Fund hat in front of a mature redwood tree, by Orenda Randuch

David Cowman, Sempervirens Fund Director of Land Stewardship. Photo by Orenda Randuch.

Santa Cruz, Calif. (Jan. 24, 2025)–Sempervirens Fund, California’s first and oldest land trust, is welcoming David Cowman as its new, and first-ever, Director of Land Stewardship, signaling the 125-year old organization’s increased emphasis on the restoration and future health of redwood forests in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Cowman joined Sempervirens Fund in December as Director of Land Stewardship. He is a California Registered Professional Forester with a decade of experience in natural resource management in the Santa Cruz Mountains. He has led large-scale restoration and wildfire resiliency projects throughout the region in collaboration with both private and public partners.

“I’m humbled to be joining the staff at California’s oldest land trust to protect redwood forests and ecosystems,” said Cowman. “Having grown up enjoying the natural beauty of redwoods at our state parks, I know the importance of ensuring these trees survive and thrive for generations to come.”

Before joining Sempervirens, he served as District Forester at the San Mateo Resource Conservation District and worked for five years in the Natural Resource Management program at the Santa Cruz District of California State Parks.
David holds a Master of Science degree from San Jose State University, where his research focused on the effects of prescribed fire on old-growth coast redwood ecosystems in Big Basin Redwoods State Park. He also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from UC Santa Cruz.

At Sempervirens Fund, David leads the land stewardship program, overseeing restoration and management across Sempervirens’ more than 12,000 acres of properties and conservation easements.

“David’s professional experience as a registered forester is critical as we build longterm partnerships with industry and private landowners to support the type of restorative forest management needed across the landscape,” said Sara Barth, Executive Director at Sempervirens. “His wealth of knowledge and experience with redwoods make him a valuable member of our conservation team, and we look forward to working alongside him to protect and restore these natural wonders.”

 

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