Government
The governments main role in the conservation of Coastal Redwood forests is through the establishment of protected Redwood forests , making it illegal for timber companies to carry out logging in certain areas of forests . The Redwood National Park is an example of an establishment by congress in 1968 . The park was centered in the tall trees grove where the tallest tree at that time was located . The Redwood National Park was smaller at that time and was referred to as the “worm” due to its shape along the coast and relatively small size.
The government contributed to the enlargement of the Redwood National Park further in 1978 when a US president Jimmy Carter signed the legislation for the increase of the size of the park. The federal government bought 48,000 acres of land surrounding the Redwood National Park.
The government regulation and laws like the ones stated above, are strategies that help curb the tragedies of the commons issue . By providing legal protection of the old growth Redwood forests, it totally block off timber use from the old growth Redwood forest. Disincentives such as fines, community service and jail time are put in place and enforced by people who work and help manage the parks , with the aim of detering anti-environmental behavior .
There are limitations to this disincentive . These punishments can be met by resistance and avoidance, meaning that one carries out the behaviour just to avoid punishment and not becasue he has internalized the rule . Thus it does not bring about changes in attitudes and values , which are more long lasting . Examples of avoidance would be that of illegal loggers trying to cut wood from old growth trees when the authority is not there . Since 2012, twenty-five old growth Redwood trees have been damaged by these poachers that cut the burls of the tree which are its large natural protrusions that are vital for redwood regeneration. Just last year a man was caught for hacking a redwood in the redwood national park to make into furniture . What drove the logging of trees in the 20th century still drives the illegal loggers of today . There is still a high demand for it because of its excellent wood and also because of its rare quality as an endangered species and its history.