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November 29, 2017

Sierra Happenings

Events and Activities

SWEP's Tahoe Film Fest

Tahoe Film Fest is a relatively new addition to the cultural atmosphere in one of the most spectacular places to visit. The premiere section of our programming are environmental films. Tahoe Film Fest also celebrates a section of American Independent Films, New Films from Latin America and a Filmmaker Tribute. Films will be shown in Incline Village, Northstar, and Truckee.

Date: November 30th - December 3rd
Location: North Lake Tahoe

Please click here for more details.


Alliance's Wild & Scenic Film Festival in South Lake Tahoe

Our Wild and Scenic Film Festival combines award-winning environmental and adventure films with the energy of local activism. Featured films will include exciting outdoor adventures, environmental battles and inspirational stories of people making a difference. The film festival supports the Alliance’s work to protect and restore the Sierra through our Sierra Nevada AmeriCorps Partnership.

Date: March 30th
Location: MontBleu, South Lake Tahoe

Please click here for more details.


Webinar: Adaptive Capacity - The Linchpin for Understanding and Addressing Species' Vulnerability to Climate Change

To help improve effectiveness of conservation planning and resource management in a changing climate, we are conducting a broad synthesis of the science on adaptive capacity and have developed a community of practice to strengthen partnerships and improve awareness of adaptive capacity. Learn more by joining for the webinar.

Date: December 6th, 11 am - 12 pm
Please click here for more details and to register.


Webinar: Towards Equitable Adaptation - Key Concepts & Recommendations

Join for the first webinar of ARCCA's Learning Session series on integrating justice and equity into climate adaptation. This webinar will provide an overview of key climate justice and equity concepts, considerations, and strategies, and highlight the Climate Justice Working Group (CJWG)'s recommendations for including frontline communities in policy and funding decisions.

Date: December 6th, 11 am - 12 pm
Please click here for more details and to register.


Public Lands Alliance Convention

The Public Lands Alliance Convention and Trade Show brings together nonprofits, land management agencies and companies to learn, network and engage on public lands issues.

Date: February 25th - March 1st
Location: Palm Springs, CA

Please click here for more details and to register.


Job Announcements & Volunteer Opportunities

Western Watersheds Project - California Director

The California Director will expand and continue WWP’s campaign to protect and restore public lands in California and parts of Nevada, particularly in the context of reining in livestock grazing and related environmental problems. The position will entail administrative and legal oversight of federal decisions, fieldwork, data collection and analysis, participation in agency planning processes, media outreach and legislative advocacy.

For more info, click here.

California Program Coordinator - Defenders of Wildlife

This professional-level position is responsible for conducting outreach and education to diverse communities, and assisting with wildlife conservation and climate change policy for the California Program of Defenders of Wildlife. Through constituency building, public education, and strategic communications, the California Program Coordinator will strengthen Defenders’ wildlife conservation and climate change advocacy. This position also will assist in the development environmental advocacy campaigns, legislative efforts, and policy.

For more info, click here.

Conservation Project Associate - Audubon California

The Conservation Project Associate is an integral member of Audubon California’s Working Lands Team, supporting projects to enhance the habitat value of managed wetlands and agricultural lands for birds and other wildlife. This position is based in Sacramento, California and is open until filled.

For more info, please click here.

Resources

Petition: Protect Our Mountains - Help MAP Challenge Martis Valley West

Support Mountain Area Preservation's (MAP) efforts to challenge the approval of the Martis Valley West Parcel Specific Plan project, a 760-unit development located on the pristine Brockway Summit ridgeline, straddling Lake Tahoe and Martis Valley. Impacts to Lake Tahoe including increased traffic, public safety hazards, severe fire danger, diminished lake clarity and loss of our starry nights, highlight the detrimental damage this project will have on the region.

Sign the petition here!


RFP: Foothill Conservancy Seeks Strategic Planning Consultant

The Foothill Conservancy, a 501(c)(3) community-based, grassroots conservation group, is seeking an experienced strategic planning consultant to design and facilitate a participatory planning process that will create a 5-7 year strategic plan for the organization.

To view the RFP, please click here.


Grant: Training and Technical Assistance for Small Systems Funding

The funding will help provide water and wastewater system staff and private well owners with training and tools to enhance system operations and management practices, and support EPA’s continuing efforts to protect public health and promote sustainability in small communities. Application deadline: December 4, 2017

For more information, please click here.


Grant: Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training

This funding aims to deliver Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training programs that recruit, train, and place local, unemployed and under-employed residents with the skills needed to secure full-time employment in the environmental field. Application deadline: December 15, 2017

For more information, please click here.


USACE Watershed Analysis Tool Available

The Watershed Analysis Tool (HEC-WAT) software developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is a model integration tool that allows multi-disciplinary teams to perform water resources studies. HEC-WAT accomplishes this through a framework that provides the user with the ability to perform studies in a comprehensive, systems-based approach. The HEC-WAT is now available for free download.

To learn more, please click here.


Sustainable Groundwater Planning (SGWP) Grant Program

The SGWP Grant Program provides funds for projects that develop and implement sustainable groundwater planning and projects. Eligible applicants include public agencies, non-profit organizations, public utilities, federally recognized Indian tribes, state Indian tribes listed on the Native American Heritage Commission's Tribal Consultation list, and mutual water companies. Over $86.3 million available. Application deadline is November 13th.

To learn more, please click here.


Highlights

SNAP Logo - FINAL

Truckee 100% Campaign Success!

On November 28th, the Alliance's climate work with the Town of Truckee led to unanimous approval of a 100% renewable energy resolution by the Town Council, making Truckee the 50th city in the nation and the 3rd in the Sierra to make this committment. The Alliance initiated and facilitated a grassroots advocacy campaign to achieve this resolution. We would like to thank the Truckee 100% Coalition, the Sierra Club's Ready for 100 Program, the Climate Reality Project, and of course the Truckee Town Council. We look forward to continuing to work with Truckee on achieving the transition to 100% renewable energy. Read on for a press release from the Sierra Club on this great accomplishment.

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Truckee Town Council with 100% Renewable supporters after resolution passsed.


Sierra Club Press Release, 11/29/17: 50th U.S. City Commits To 100% Clean, Renewable Energy

50 cities and towns across the United States have now committed to transition to 100 percent clean, renewable sources of energy like wind and solar. On Tuesday, the Truckee, California Town Council adopted a resolution to move to 100 percent clean electricity town-wide by 2030, as well as all energy sources by 2050. A full list of the cities committed to 100 percent clean energy can be found here.

100 percent clean energy commitments are already shaping the future of energy in communities across the country. This month, the Sierra Club’s Ready For 100 campaign released a new report showcasing 10 U.S. cities that have made ambitious commitments to be powered with 100 percent clean, renewable energy and the steps those communities are taking to achieve their goal.

In response to this major milestone, Jodie Van Horn, Director of the Ready For 100 campaign, issued the following statement:

“As the Trump Administration turns its back on clean air and water, local leaders in cities and towns will move our country forward in a just transition towards 100 percent clean, renewable energy for all. Now, as more and more cities establish bold clean energy goals, it’s vital we work to ensure that everyone, particularly those hit first and worst by fossil fuels, benefits in the switch to cleaner, healthier sources of energy.”

Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski, a Co-Chair of Mayors for 100% Clean Energy, also issued the following:

“By committing to 100 percent clean energy, cities like Salt Lake City and Truckee are sending a message that we care about the health and prosperity of the people in our communities. Clean energy is the future, and cities that make the investment today are not only helping to protect the environment, they are positioning themselves to be the economic and social powerhouses of tomorrow.”

Truckee Mayor Morgan Goodwin issued the following statement:

"Truckee's commitment to 100 percent clean energy including electricity, heating, and transportation is good for our community and our planet. Our town is on the front lines of climate change and we understand how serious this is. Reducing our emissions will create jobs and long-term economic sustainability while we uphold our responsibility as stewards of the environment.”

Jenny Hatch, Executive Director of the Sierra Nevada Alliance, issued the following:

“The Sierra Nevada Alliance is proud to work with cities like Truckee. Truckee recognizes the many impacts on the local economy and environment that climate change will bring. Our model for our Regional Climate Change Program is to be a facilitator of creating community climate coalitions for this goal that work with their community decision makers and energy users to pledge to go 100 percent renewable. Through a ripple of communities going 100 percent renewable across the Sierra Nevada we will make a big difference!”

Jeremy Jones, professional snowboarder and founder of the non-profit Protect Our Winters, issued the following:

"The solutions to climate change are here, now. Success does not have to be an uphill battle; it is empowering places like my hometown of Truckee, California to decide whether to power itself on clean, renewable energy, or carbon intensive fossil fuels. We are very excited to see Truckee follow in the footsteps of mountain towns across the country who recognize that fighting climate change goes hand in hand with protecting their tourism and outdoor recreation economies."

SNAP Logo - FINAL

Jones addressing the Town Council regarding 100% resolution.




Giving Tuesday a Success & Give Back Tahoe Continues!

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Thank you to all who donated to the Alliance as a part of Giving Tuesday! Support from our community enables the Alliance to bolster conservation efforts in the Sierra.

If you didn’t have a chance to donate, don’t fret! Give Back Tahoe, the Tahoe wide giving campaign, will continue until December 12th. When you donate to the Alliance through Give Back Tahoe, the Alliance becomes eligible to win additional grant funds, or Challenge Grants, from the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation (TTCF)! This year TTCF raised over $50,000 from generous donors that will be given back to local non-profits that receive donations from local supporters, like you, through this campaign. For information on how Challenge Grants are awarded see below.

Upcoming Available Challenge Grants:
Raise the Bar Challenge: Donate $250+ to the Alliance on December 5th and the Truckee Tahoe Community Foundation might randomly select your donation and add $1000 to it, meaning your $250+ to the Alliance would turn into $1250+!
Nifty Fifty Challenge: The organization with most gifts of $25+ from the most U.S. states between November 28th and December 12th will win $1,000!
Variety Show Challenge: On December 12th, TTCF is hosting a Give Back Tahoe Variety Show at Alibi Public House with a $25 admission donation fee. The evening will feature all sorts of performances by local artists All admission fees collected go to an onsite Challenge Grant. Upon giving their donation, attendees receive a ballot ticket to vote for their favorite nonprofit. The non-profit with the most votes wins the grant! Attend the event for an evening of entertainment and to support the Alliance!

Donate to the Alliance here!

Your support allows us to continue to implement the Sierra Nevada AmeriCorps Partnership, Sierra Nevada Advocacy, our Member Group Support Program, and our Regional Climate Change Program. We couldn’t do it without you! For additional information about how your donation truly makes a difference, please contact us at info@sierranevadaalliance.org or (530) 542-4546.

Check out this video about the Alliance's work here!

Thank you for considering supporting the Sierra Nevada Alliance this holiday season.





The policy of the Resource is to include articles that appear in local or major media outlets relevant to Sierra conservation. We also include news releases, event notices, funding opportunities and job announcements sent to us from our Member Groups and friends. If you as a reader disagree with the content of a submission we encourage you to submit a letter to the editor of the issuing publication to reach the broader audience who read the article. You are welcome to forward your letter to the editor to the Alliance for inclusion in our new "Letters to the Resource" section. We also invite Letters to the Resource to be directly submitted on any article with which you're concerned.

Newsletter contents prepared by Carley O'Connell, Program Associate with the Sierra Nevada Alliance.
If you have articles, events or announcements that you would like included in this newsletter or if you have feedback,
please email Carley.




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Recent News

Climate Change

The Sierra ‘Snow Line’ Seems To Be Moving Uphill — Rapidly
Craig Miller, KQED, 11/22/17

Sierra Link: Researchers have been keeping their eyes on the “snow line,” the point of elevation where rain turns to snow (or vice versa) during winter storms in the northern Sierra. What they found is that warming temperatures have pushed that level uphill by 1,200-to-1,500 feet in recent years.

U.S. Ski and Snowboard Sets its Sights on Sustainability
Ben Ramsey, Sierra Sun, 11/13/17

Sierra Link: The USSA has been looking inward at the organization, finding where it can reduce its carbon emissions and consumption of products, and has been searching for partners to help it achieve its sustainability goals. Organizations in the Sierra likely have similar priorities when it comes to climate change.

Forestry

BLM Seeks Nominations for Northern California District Resource Advisory Council
BLM, 11/7/17

Sierra Link: The BLM is seeking public nominations for five open positions on the Northern California Resource Advisory Council. The RAC works closely with BLM managers, providing guidance on the full range of the BLM's responsibilities. As published in a notice in the Federal Register, the BLM will consider nominations until Dec. 4.

PG&E Awards Plumas’ Sierra Institute with $100,000 Grant to Improve Forest Health, Watersheds
Paul Moreno/PG&E, YubaNet, 11/28/17

Sierra Link: Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) today announced two winners of its Better Together Resilient Communities grant, providing $100,000 each to nonprofit organizations Sierra Institute in Plumas County and Ag Innovations in Sonoma County in support of their projects that examine new ways of managing forest and watershed land to prevent wildfires.

Recreation

John Adams Writes a New Opera, and It’s a Western
Miachael Cooper, NY Times, 11/19/17

Sierra Link: The Clampers, a non-profit historical society, have made their mark around California. Perhaps nowhere are the Clampers more revered than in the Sierra Nevada, where they flourished in the small towns and prospector camps during the Gold Rush. Read on to learn about the work of this group.

The Clampers: A Historical Drinking Society or a Drinking Historical Society?
Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 11/13/17

Sierra Link: Community disagreement is sparked when a neighbor moves into their rural town and builds a private helipad on his property.

Water

A New Approach to Protecting Rivers
Brian Gray, Leon Szeptycki & Buzz Tompson, Sacramento Bee, 11/17/17

Sierra Link: California’s native freshwater fish – salmon, steelhead, sturgeon and others – continue to decline, and regulations to reverse this trend have fanned controversy.

Evaluating and Integrating Climate Science into Groundwater Planning in California
Union of Concerned Scientists, 2017

Sierra Link: California's long-term water and food security depends on assessing and preparing for the impacts of climate change upon groundwater supplies. Read on to learn more.

Wildlife

Black Bears Back in Eastern Nevada After 80-Year Absence
Scott Sonner, AP, 11/26/17

Sierra Link: More than 500 black bears have returned to parts of their historic range in the Great Basin of Nevada where the species disappeared about 80 years ago, scientists say. A new study says genetic testing confirms the bears are making their way east from the Sierra ranges north and south of Lake Tahoe along the California line.

Sierra Wildlife Prepares for Winter’s Arrival
J.P. Kelsey, Nevada Appeal, 11/23/17

Sierra Link: Just take a few photos of the mountainside and compare them in August to January and you might not even be able to tell it's the same place. Being that temps drop, snowpack rises and food becomes scarcer, it begs the question: What do the animals do during this time?





Sierra Nevada Alliance

P.O. Box 7989
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96158

phone: 530.542.4546
fax:530.542.4546

www.sierranevadaalliance.org

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Since 1993 the Sierra Nevada Alliance has been protecting and restoring Sierra lands, water, wildlife and communities. The regional climate change program shapes and implements county and regional resource plans that promote smart land use, incorporate sustainable water management practices, aggressively reduce greenhouse gases and adapt to climate change.