RIPE

Redwood Invasive Plant Eradicators (RIPE)

We are an organization dedicated to eradicating invasive plants to restore and protect our

ecosystems. Our focus is redwood forests and watersheds, so we target the invasive plants

most damaging to those systems, namely English ivy and English holly.

RIPE takes a holistic approach to habitat restoration, working on both public and private land,

because they are both part of the same ecosystem. The benefits of habitat restoration are

diminished by isolation; protected and restored areas are often surrounded by private land that

is filled with invasive plants that will impinge on recently restored habitats. RIPE coordinates

with both public land stewards and private property owners to halt the propagation of invasive

plants and educates private property owners about how they can help connect and expand

wildlife corridors.

Most areas that could be the subject of restoration efforts are ignored, with intense focus placed

on a few sites. A basic investment principle is that larger returns can be expected from an initial

investment, with returns falling thereafter. Reflecting this principle, we are highly mobile, going

where we have a big impact, and rarely working at one site for long. Invasive ivy (Hedera

helix/hibernica) and holly (Ilex aquifolium) are particularly fast spreading but easy to stop the

reproduction of. We routinely find 30-year-old ivy plants that take a matter of minutes to deal

with.

From January 1, 2023 to February 15, 2026 we’ve

-logged 3,209 hours of work eradicating invasive plants

-worked at over 150 sites